Distinguished - Provides the reader with a complete and correct APA reference entry.

Proficient - Provides the reader with a complete and mostly correct APA reference entry.

Basic - Provides the reader with a partially correct APA reference entry.

Below Expectations - Provides the reader with a reference entry, but it is not in correct APA format.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains who conducted the research and clearly specifies the methods used.

Proficient - Explains who conducted the research and specifies the methods used. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally explains who conducted the research and specifies the methods used. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain who conducted the research and specify the methods used; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The explanation of who conducted the research and the specification of the methods used is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes the target population in the research.

Proficient - Describes the target population in the research. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the target population in the research. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the target population in the research; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the findings of the research.

Proficient -Summarizes the findings of the research. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the findings of the research. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the findings of the research; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the contributions of the research.

Proficient - Explains the contributions of the research. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the contributions of the research. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the contributions of the research; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the contributions of the research is either nonexistent or lacks 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.