Distinguished - Effectively describes in substantial detail the early idea of what the purpose of the study may be. The identification is no more than two succinct paragraphs in length.

Proficient - Adequately describes the early idea of what the purpose of the study may be. The identification is one to two paragraphs in length. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the early idea of what the purpose of the study may be. The identification is one paragraph in length. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the early idea of what the purpose of the study may be. The identification may be less than one paragraph in length or more than two paragraphs in length. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the early idea of what the purpose of the study may be is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively explains in substantial detail a statement of the problem or situation that led to pursue the topic in two succinct paragraphs.

Proficient - Adequately explains a statement of the problem or situation that led to pursue the topic in two paragraphs. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains a statement of the problem or situation that led to pursue the topic in one succinct paragraph. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively explains a statement of the problem or situation that led to pursue the topic in less than a paragraph. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of a statement of the problem or situation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively describes the population, including substantial details about the age or grade, quantity of participants, and other relevant information, in no more than one paragraph.

Proficient - Adequately describes the population, including details about the age or grade, quantity of participants, and other relevant information, in no more than one paragraph. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the population, including details about the age or grade, quantity of participants, and other relevant information, in no more than one paragraph. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the population, including details about the age or grade, quantity of participants, and other relevant information, in either less than one paragraph or more than one paragraph. Significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Effectively develops two to three research questions that are answerable and fully appropriate for the identified problem and the chosen population for the study. The questions are presented in a list format.

Proficient - Adequately develops two to three research questions that are answerable and mostly appropriate for the identified problem and the chosen population for the study. The questions are presented in a list format.

Basic - Minimally develops two to three research questions that are answerable and somewhat appropriate for the identified problem and the chosen population for the study. The questions are presented in a list format.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively develops either fewer than two research questions or more than three research questions. One or more questions may be unanswerable or inappropriate for the identified problem and the chosen population for the study. The questions may not be presented in a list format.

Non-Performance - The two to three research questions are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment 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.