Distinguished - Clearly identifies a research topic in psychology. Comprehensively and effectively explains the importance of the topic in the field of psychology.

Proficient - Identifies a research topic in psychology. Effectively explains the importance of the topic in the field of psychology. The identification is slightly unclear or explanation of importance is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Vaguely identifies a research topic in psychology. Minimally explains some aspects of the importance of the topic. The identification is unclear and/or explanation of importance is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify a research topic and explain the importance of the topic in the field of psychology; however, he identification is very unclear and explanation of importance is significantly underdeveloped

Non Performance - The identification of a topic and explanation of its importance are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Finds and thoroughly evaluates a literature review on the chosen topic, thoroughly describing whether or not the review provides multiple perspectives and/or results or if the author shows bias in the choice of studies included.

Proficient - Finds and evaluates a literature review on the chosen topic, describing whether or not the review provides multiple perspectives and/or results or if the author shows bias in the choice of studies included. The evaluation of the literature review or description of perspectives is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Finds and partially evaluates a literature review on the chosen topic, minimally describing whether or not the review provides multiple perspectives and/or results or if the author shows bias in the choice of studies included. The evaluation of the literature review and/or description of perspective are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate a literature review; however the evaluation is not on the chosen topic, does not describe whether or not the review provides multiple perspectives and/or results or if the author shows bias in the choice of studies included and evaluation of the literature review is significantly underdeveloped.

Non Performance - The evaluation of a literature review on the chosen topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally clear and thorough comparison of the characteristics of the different research methods used in the studies presented in the literature review.

Proficient - Provides a comparison of the characteristics of the different research methods used in the studies presented in the literature review. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Provides a vague comparison of the characteristics of the different research methods used in the studies presented in the literature review. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare the characteristics of different research methods used in the studies presented in the literature review; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non Performance - The comparison of research methods presented in the literature review is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and effectively summarizes the state of knowledge on the topic based on the evidence presented in the literature review.

Proficient - Effectively summarizes the state of knowledge on the topic based on the evidence presented in the literature review. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially summarizes the state of knowledge on the topic somewhat based on the evidence presented in the literature review. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the state of knowledge on the topic of the literature review; however, the summary is not based on the evidence presented in the literature review or is significantly underdeveloped.

Non Performance - The summary of the state of knowledge on the topic based on the evidence in the literature review 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.