Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the main research question that the study attempts to answer, states the main hypothesis proposed by the researchers, and identifies all of the key variables.

Proficient - Describes the main research question that the study attempts to answer, states the main hypothesis proposed by the researchers, and identifies most of the key variables.The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially describes the main research question , the main hypothesis, and some of the key variables. The description is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the main research question, the main hypothesis, and  key variables.  The description is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The  description of main research question, the main hypothesis, and key variables is either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains why the main research question is important (i.e., illustrates the gaps in the existing literature).

Proficient - Explains why the main research question is important (i.e., illustrates the gaps in the existing literature). The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially explains why the main research question is important (i.e., illustrates the gaps in the existing literature). The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - (Attempts to explain why the main research question is important; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The illustration of the relevance of the  main research question within the existing literature is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Adequately describes the critical characteristics of the participants and of the procedure(s) used.

Proficient - Describes the critical characteristics of the participants and of the procedure(s) used. The  description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially describes the critical characteristics of the participants and of the procedure(s) used. The description is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the critical characteristics of the participants and of the procedure(s) used; however, the description is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the critical characteristics of the participants and of the procedure(s) used is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the main findings of the study.

Proficient - Summarizes the main findings of the study. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic -Partially summarizes the main findings of the study. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the main findings of the study. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the extent to which the findings answer the research question.

Proficient - Explains the extent to which the findings answer the research question. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially explains the extent to which the findings answer the research question. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the extent to which the findings answer the research question. The  explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the extent to which the findings answer the research question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly illustrates key weaknesses and strengths of the selected study.

Proficient - Illustrates some of the key weaknesses and strengths of the selected study. The illustration is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially illustrates some of the key weaknesses and strengths of the selected study. The illustration is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to illustrate some of the key weaknesses and strengths of the selected study. The illustration is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The illustration of the weaknesses and strengths of the selected study 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.