Distinguished - Thoroughly describes three theories that relate to the specific topic area.

Proficient - Describes two or three theories that relate to the specific topic area. Minor details are missing.

Basic -Minimally describes at least two theories that relate to the specific topic area. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations -Attempts to describe theories that relate to the specific topic area; however, only one theory is described and significant details are missing.

Non Performance -The description of two to three theories that relate to their specific topic area is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a skilled critical evaluation of selected theories (including benefits and limitations) and their application to health and human service organizations.

Proficient - Provides a solid critical evaluation of selected theories (including benefits and limitations) and their application to health and human service organizations. Some details are missing.

Basic - Provides a fair evaluation of selected theories and their application to health and human service organizations. May lack overall detail and/or critical discussion of benefits/limitations.

Below Expectations - Provides a limited or superficial evaluation of selected theories and their application to health and human service organizations. May lack significant detail and/or critical discussion of benefits/limitations.

Non Performance - The critical evaluation of the theories described, as well as how health and human service organizations might use them to better understand the scope of the issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes three examples of research studies pertinent to the topic area.

Proficient -Describes two or three examples of research studies pertinent to the topic area. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes at least two examples of research studies pertinent to the topic area. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations -Attempts to describe examples of research studies pertinent to the topic area; however, only one example is described and significant details are missing.

Non Performance - The description of two to three examples of research studies that have explored this issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough analysis of the studies, including all of the following content areas: study aims, methods, findings, and implications.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of the studies, including most or all of the following content areas: study aims, methods, findings, and implications. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited analysis of the studies, including some of the following content areas: study aims, methods, findings, and implications. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of the studies; however, does not include most of following content areas: study aims, methods, findings, and implications, and the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non Performance - The analysis of pertinent aspects related to the research studies is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions. 

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.