Distinguished - Clearly and concisely states a research topic, including a comprehensive discussion of a research problem and the consequences of not solving the problem.

Proficient - Clearly states a research topic, including a discussion of a research problem and the consequences of not solving the problem. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - States a research topic including a minimal discussion of a research problem and the consequences of not solving the problem. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - States a research topic; however, does not discuss a research problem and the consequences of not solving the problem, and significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - Does not attempt to state a research topic.

Distinguished - Thoroughly reviews current scholarship about the chosen topic, and comprehensively justifies how student’s research will advance human knowledge about the topic.

Proficient - Reviews current scholarship about the chosen topic, and adequately justifies how student’s research will advance human knowledge about the topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Reviews current scholarship about the chosen topic, and partially justifies how student’s research will advance human knowledge about the topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to review current scholarship about the chosen topic; however, does not justify how student’s research will advance human knowledge about the topic, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - Does not attempt to review current scholarship about the chosen topic.

Distinguished - Clearly and concisely states a thesis and thoroughly outlines reasons and evidence in support of that thesis, including response to alternative viewpoints.

Proficient - Clearly states a thesis and outlines reasons and evidence in support of that thesis, including response to alternative viewpoints. Minor details are missing.

Basic - States a thesis and minimally outlines reasons and evidence in support of that thesis partially including response to alternative viewpoints. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to state a thesis and outline reasons an evidence in support of that thesis; however, does include response to alternative viewpoints, and significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - Does not attempt to state a thesis or provide an outline.

Distinguished - Uses more than 10 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 10 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 10 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 fewer than 6 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.

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.