Distinguished - Identifies the study being critiqued, thoroughly summarizes its research question or hypothesis, and comprehensively critiques the relevance and completeness of the studies discussed in the article’s literature review.

Proficient - Identifies the study being critiqued, summarizes the purpose of the study, and effectively critiques the relevance of studies discussed in the article’s literature review. The critique of the literature review may be slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies the study being critiqued, partially summarizes the purpose of the study, and minimally critiques the relevance of studies discussed in the article’s literature review. The critique of the literature review is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies the study being critiqued and summarizes the purpose of the study, and attempts to critique the relevance of studies discussed in the article’s literature review; however, the summary and the critique of the literature review is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of the study being evaluated and the critique of the literature review of the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly differentiates the research design and approach by identifying and comprehensively critiquing the research method and analytical approaches used in the study. The methodology is correctly identified and the position is supported with properly cited evidence from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Differentiates the research design and approach by identifying and critiquing the research method and analytical approaches used in the study. The methodology is correctly identified and the position is mostly supported with properly cited evidence from scholarly sources.

Basic - Partially differentiates the research design and approach by identifying and minimally critiquing the research method and analytical approaches used in the study. The methodology is correctly identified and the position is somewhat supported with properly cited evidence from scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to differentiate the research design and approach by identifying and critiquing the research method and analytical approaches used in the study; however, the methodology is not correctly identified or the position is not supported with properly cited evidence from scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The identification and critique of the research method and analytical approaches is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes and critiques the analysis, limitations, and interpretation of the results of the study. Detailed reasoning with comprehensive evidence that supports the position is provided.

Proficient - Summarizes and critiques the analysis, limitations, and interpretation of the results of the study. Justifies reasoning with detailed and sufficient evidence that supports the position. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially summarizes and critiques the analysis, limitations, and interpretation of the results of the study. Justifies reasoning with somewhat detailed evidence that may support the position. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a summary and critique of the analysis, limitations, and interpretation of results of the study; however, evidence to support the position is not provided and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary and critique of the analysis, limitation, and interpretation of results is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the overall efficacy of the study by identifying strengths and weaknesses of its design and implementation.

Proficient - Evaluates the efficacy of the study by identifying most of the strengths and weaknesses in its design and implementation. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially evaluates the efficacy of the study by identifying some of the strengths and weaknesses reported by the authors. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the efficacy of the study; however, the study’s strengths and weaknesses are not identified or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the efficacy, strengths and weaknesses of the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Suggests feasible, accurate alternative research methods and analytical approaches for the topic or research question of the study. Suggestions are supported by substantial references to the text and scholarly sources.

Proficient - Suggests mostly feasible alternative research methods and analytical approaches for the topic or research question of the study. Suggestions are supported with citations from the text and/or scholarly sources.

Basic - Suggests somewhat feasible alternative research methods and analytical approaches for the topic or research question of the study. Suggestions are minimally supported with citations from the text and/or scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to suggest alternative research methods and analytical approaches; however, the suggestions are not feasible and/or are not supported with citations from the text and/or scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The suggestion of possible alternative research methods and analytical approaches is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - States ethical issues when presented in a complex, ambiguous context AND can recognize interrelationships among the various issues.

Proficient - States ethical issues when they are presented in an ambiguous context OR can grasp cross-relationships among the issues.

Basic -States basic and apparent ethical issues and understands (incompletely) the complexities or interrelationships among the issues.

Below Expectations - States apparent ethical issues but fails to grasp complexity or interrelationships.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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.