Distinguished - Provides a comprehensively developed introduction and thesis statement, giving a clear direction and purpose of the paper. The research topic is fully described and its importance is explained. A research question (for a qualitative study) or a hypothesis (for a quantitative study) is clearly stated.

Proficient - Provides a developed introduction and thesis statement, giving direction and purpose of the paper. The research topic is described and its importance is explained. A research question (for a qualitative study) or a hypothesis (for a quantitative study) is clearly stated. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a partially developed introduction and thesis statement, giving minimal direction and purpose of the paper. The research topic is briefly described and its importance is vaguely explained. A research question (for a qualitative study) or a hypothesis (for a quantitative study) is stated. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an introduction and thesis statement, giving direction and purpose of the paper; however, the research topic is not described, its importance is not explained, or a research question (for a qualitative study) or a hypothesis (for a quantitative study) is not stated. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis statement are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing the methods and results of a few published peer-reviewed studies, including the one critiqued in Week 3. The literature review supports the need for the proposed study, either as replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an under-explored area of the topic.

Proficient - Summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing the methods and results of a few published peer-reviewed studies, including the one critiqued in Week 3. The literature review supports the need for the proposed study, either as replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an under-explored area of the topic.

Basic - Partially summarizees the methods and results of the study critiqued in Week 3. Explains the need for the proposed study as replication or extension of the critiqued study. Additional studies on the research topic are not included in the review.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic, but does not cite any scholarly sources for this information. Does not relate the proposed study to any existing published study on the research topic.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly develops plans for the methodological approach, research design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and measures, and data analysis techniques. The planned approach is feasible and appropriate for the research topic. The choice of data analysis technique is fully supported by at least one scholarly source other than the textbook.

Proficient - Develops plans for the methodological approach, research design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and measures, and data analysis techniques. The planned approach is mostly feasible and appropriate for the research topic. The choice of data analysis technique is mostly supported by at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally develops plans for the methodological approach, research design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and measures, and data analysis techniques. The planned approach is somewhat feasible and appropriate for the research topic. The choice of data analysis technique is partially supported by at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop plans for the methodological approach, research design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and measures, and data analysis techniques; however, the planned approach is not feasible or appropriate for the research topic, and choice of data analysis technique is not supported by at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes ethical concerns relevant to the proposed study. Solutions are proposed for all potential ethical issues identified.

Proficient - Analyzes ethical concerns relevant to the proposed study. Solutions are proposed for most potential ethical issues identified. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes ethical concerns relevant to the proposed study. Solutions are proposed for some potential ethical issues identified. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of ethical issues relevant to the proposed study; however, solutions are not proposed for potential ethical issues or the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Conclusion is skillfully developed and thoroughly summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Conclusion is mostly developed, and adequately summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Basic - Conclusion is minimally developed, and marginally summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Below Expectations - Conclusion is present, though somewhat incomplete. It does not adequately summarize the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

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

Distinguished -Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem, identifies consequences of the solution, and can clearly communicate the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient -Carefully chooses among alternatives, and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solving.

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