Distinguished - Succinctly outlines the topic selected for the final research proposal and suggests both a specific research question and a research hypothesis. The research question and hypothesis are well worded and sufficiently narrowly defined to be useful in guiding the research.

Proficient - Briefly outlines the topic selected for the final research proposal and suggests both a research question and a research hypothesis. The research question and hypothesis are somewhat clear but could be more specific and narrowly defined.

Basic - Outlines the topic selected for the final research proposal. Suggests either a research question or a research hypothesis but not both. The research question and/or hypothesis may not be sufficiently narrowly defined.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the topic selected for the final research proposal but the focus of the research is unclear. May suggest a research question or a research hypothesis which may be too broad for use in guiding research.

Non Performance - The identification of the research topic and suggested research question and hypothesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively evaluates at least one peer-reviewed article on a research design from each of these four categories: non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, and mixed methods. Effectively summarizes the main points of each article and explains how the research design could be used in new research on the chosen topic.

Proficient - Evaluates one peer-reviewed article on a research design from each of these four categories: non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, and mixed methods. Summarizes most of the main points of each article and explains how the research design could be used in new research on the chosen topic.

Basic - Evaluates a peer-reviewed article on a research design from each of at least three of the four assigned categories: non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, and mixed methods. Summarizes most of the main points of each article and explains how the research design could be used in new research on the chosen topic. The explanation may be underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate peer-reviewed articles on research designs from some of the four assigned categories: non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, and mixed methods. Partially summarizes the articles and may not explain how the research designs could be used in new research on the chosen topic.

Non Performance - The evaluation of the research design articles is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Compares and contrasts the paradigms or worldviews associated with each selected research design. Identifies the research approach (non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, or mixed methods) that best fits the student’s own worldview.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts the paradigms or worldviews associated with each selected research design. However, the comparison may be slightly underdeveloped. Identifies the research approach (non-experimental, quantitative experimental, qualitative, or mixed methods) that best fits the student’s own worldview.

Basic - Compares and contrasts some aspects of the paradigms or worldviews associated with each selected research design. The comparison is underdeveloped and details are missing. May not clearly identify the student’s preferred research approach based on the student’s worldview.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare and contrast the paradigms or worldviews associated with each selected research design. However, the comparison is significantly underdeveloped and many details are missing. Does not identify a preferred research approach based on the student’s own worldview.

Non Performance - The comparison of paradigms associated with each research approach 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 - Fully utilizes alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas.

Proficient - Utilizes alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas in a exploratory way.

Basic - Incorporates alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas in a limited way.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas.

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.