Distinguished - Thoroughly defines the key terms of the selected topic and clearly states the question that the research paper attempts to answer.

Proficient - Defines the key terms of the selected topic and states the question that the research paper attempts to answer. The definition is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially defines the key terms of the selected topic and partially states the question that the research paper attempts to answer. The definition Is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define the key terms of the selected topic and attempts to state the research question the paper attempts to answer; however, the definition is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The definition of key terms and research question is either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes key findings related to the research question.

Proficient - Summarizes key findings related to the research question. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially summarizes key findings related to the research question. The summary is underdeveloped

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize key findings related to the research question; however, the summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The summary of key findings related to the research question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes key findings, fully illustrating consistencies and inconsistencies.

Proficient - Analyzes key findings, illustrating consistencies and inconsistencies. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes key findings, minimally illustrating consistencies and inconsistencies. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze key findings. The summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of key findings, (including consistencies and inconsistencies) is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the selected research methodology.

Proficient - Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the selected research methodology. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the selected research methodology. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations -Attempts to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the selected research methodology. However, the analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of weaknesses and strengths of the selected research methodology 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.