Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates at least four peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last 10 years that support one view or perspective of the chosen research topic. All of the articles are from peer-reviewed psychology journals obtained from the Ashford Library databases.

Proficient - Evaluates four articles that support one view or perspective of the chosen research topic, but one of the articles may not be from a peer-reviewed source and/or may be more than 10 years old. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially evaluates four articles that support one view or perspective of the chosen research topic, but most or all of the articles are not from peer-reviewed journals and

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate fewer than four articles that support one view or perspective of the chosen research topic; however, the articles are not from peer-reviewed sources and are more than 10 years old. Significant details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the articles that support one view or perspective of the chosen research topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates at least three peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last 10 years that support an alternative view or opposing perspective of the chosen research topic. All of the articles are from peer-reviewed psychology journals obtained from the Ashford University Library databases.

Proficient - Evaluates at least three articles that support an alternative view or opposing perspective of the chosen research topic, but one of the articles not from a peer-reviewed source and/or may be more than 10 years old. Minor details are missing or in accurate.

Basic - Partially evaluates at least three articles that support an alternative view or opposing perspective of the chosen research topic, but most or all of the articles are not from peer-reviewed journals and/or may be more than 10 years old. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate at least three articles that support an alternative view or opposing perspective of the research topic; however, the articles are not from peer-reviewed sources and are more than 10 years old. Minor details are missing or in accurate.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of articles that support an alternative view or opposing perspective of the research topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

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

Basic - Partially evaluates the main points of each article. A few direct quotations from the sources are used. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations -  Attempts to evaluate each article; however, verbatim wording from the sources are used instead of original paraphrasing and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance -The article evaluations are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment.

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

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

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

Below Expectations - Briefly explains 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 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.