Distinguished - Includes at least three scholarly journal articles published within the last 10 years about an aspect of qualitative research methods. All of the articles are “how-to” articles; none are empirical research studies, unless they are on the topic of research methods.

Proficient - Includes three articles in the qualitative research category, but one of these is a research study instead of a “how-to” article. One of the articles may be more than 10 years old.

Basic - Includes three articles in the qualitative research category, but most or all of them are empirical research studies instead of “how-to” articles. One or more of the articles may be more than 10 years old.

Below Expectations - Includes fewer than three articles that pertain to qualitative research methods.

Non-Performance - The selection of articles about qualitative research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes at least three scholarly journal articles published within the last 10 years about an aspect of quantitative research methods. All of the articles are “how-to” articles; none are empirical research studies, unless they are on the topic of research methods.

Proficient - Includes three articles in the quantitative research category, but one of these is a research study instead of a “how-to” article. One of the articles may be more than 10 years old.

Basic - Includes three articles in the quantitative research category, but most or all of them are empirical research studies instead of “how-to” articles. One or more of the articles may be more than 10 years old.

Below Expectations - Includes fewer than three articles that pertain to quantitative research methods.

Non-Performance - The selection of articles about quantitative research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Correctly identifies both the approach (qualitative or quantitative) and research design category (experimental or non-experimental) for all six of the articles.

Proficient - Correctly identifies both the approach (qualitative or quantitative) and research design category (experimental or non-experimental) for five of the six articles.

Basic - Correctly identifies either the approach (qualitative or quantitative) or the research design category (experimental or non-experimental) for five or six of the articles, or correctly identifies both for three or four of the six articles.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the approach (qualitative or quantitative) and/or research design category (experimental or non-experimental) for each article; however, the majority of designations are incorrect.

Non-Performance - The identification of approach and research design category is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes the main points of each article. No direct quotations from the source are used.

Proficient - Summarizes the main points of each article. No direct quotations from the source are used. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially summarizes of each article. No direct quotations from the source are used. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a summary of each article; however, verbatim wording from the source is used instead of an original paraphrase and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of the main points of each article is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how each article could be useful in the process of planning a research study or evaluating a published study.

Proficient - Explains how most of the articles could be useful in the process of planning a research study or evaluating a published study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains how some of the articles could be useful in the process of planning a research study or evaluating a published study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the articles could be useful in the process of planning a research study or evaluating a published study; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the utility of each article for planning or evaluating research 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 -Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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.