Distinguished - Clearly identifies the study by title and authors and  accurately determines what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research.

Proficient - Identifies the study by title and/or authors and determines what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research. Minor details are missing or inaccurate

Basic - Vaguely identifies the study by title or authors, but not both, and determines what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the study and determine what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research; however, the article is not identified by title and/or authors and significant details about what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the study and the determination of what question(s) the authors are trying to answer by doing this research are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately associates the chosen study with a specific research area of psychology based on the information on research areas in Chapter 1 and thoroughly explains reasoning.

Proficient - Clearly and accurately associates the chosen study with a specific research area of psychology based on the information on research areas in Chapter 1 and  explains reasoning.

Basic - Minimally associates the chosen study with a specific research area of psychology based on the information on research areas in Chapter 1 and partially explains reasoning. Relevant details are unclear, missing, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to associate the chosen study with a specific research area of psychology based on the information on research areas in Chapter 1; however, does not explain reasoning or significant details are unclear, missing, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The association of the chosen study with a specific research area of psychology based on the information on research areas in Chapter 1 and the explanation of reasoning are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes ethical issues addressed in the article, comprehensively analyzes the ethical principles applied, and fully mentions omitted ethical concerns that may be important.

Proficient - Summarizes ethical issues addressed in the article, analyzes the ethical principles applied, and discerns omitted ethical concerns that may be important. The summary or analysis is underdeveloped or omitted ethical issues may not be mentioned.

Basic - Partially summarizes ethical issues addressed in the article and minimally analyzes the ethical principles applied, but does mention omitted ethical concerns that may be important. The summary or analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize ethical issues addressed in the article, and analyze the ethical principles applied; however, the summary and analysis are significantly underdeveloped and omitted ethical concerns are not mentioned.

Non-Performance - The summary and analysis of ethical issues pertaining to the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes 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 -Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient -Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic -Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations -Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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 basic 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 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 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.