Distinguished - Identifies two to three relevant concepts from the research question and identifies several clearly related synonyms or other keywords for each concept.

Proficient - Identifies two to three concepts from the research question and identifies several related synonyms or other keywords for each concept.

Basic - Identifies two to three somewhat relevant concepts from the research question and identifies slightly related synonyms or other keywords for each concept.

Below Expectations - Identifies one concept from research question that may only be marginally relevant. Identifies few or no other related synonyms or other keywords for this concept. 

Non-Performance - The main concepts from the research question and keywords for each concept are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Locates two relevant scholarly articles in the AU Library that thoroughly address the research question. 

Proficient - Locates two scholarly articles in the AU Library that adequately address the research question. 

Basic - Locates at least one scholarly article in the AU Library that partially addresses the research question. 

Below Expectations - Locates at least one scholarly article in the AU Library, but article(s) do not address the research question. 

Non-Performance - The two scholarly articles from the AU are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately provides the title, author, year, and publication for both articles.

Proficient - Provides the title, author, year, and publication for both articles. One of the articles may have few inaccuracies.

Basic - Provides the title, author, year, and publication for both articles. One or both of the articles have some inaccuracies.

Below Expectations - Provides the title, author, year, and publication for one article and has many inaccuracies.

Non-Performance - The title, author, year, and publication for both articles are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Both summaries thoroughly address the research question and accurately identify all of the following: whether the article is factual or analytical, whether the information is subjective or objective, and whether the article is a primary, secondary, or tertiary source. Each summary is 100 to 150 words in length.

Proficient - Both summaries address the research question and accurately identify most of the following: whether the article is factual or analytical, whether the information is subjective or objective, and whether the article is a primary, secondary, or tertiary source. Each summary is 100 to 150 words in length.

Basic - Both summaries somewhat address the research question and accurately identify some of the following: whether the article is factual or analytical, whether the information is subjective or objective, and whether the article is a primary, secondary, or tertiary source. Each summary is 100 to 150 words in length.

Below Expectations - One of the summaries may be missing. Summaries do not address the research question and identify few or none of the following: whether the article is factual or analytical, whether the information is subjective or objective, and whether the article is a primary, secondary, or tertiary source. Summaries may not meet the minimum word count. 

Non-Performance - The summaries of the articles are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and thoughtfully reflects on the search process and thoroughly describes all of the following: how the topic was broken down, keywords used, keywords that worked and did not work, and managing the amount of information found. The reflection is 200 to 300 words in length.

Proficient - Reflects on the search process and describes most of the following: how the topic was broken down, keywords used, keywords that worked and did not work, and managing the amount of information found. The reflection is 200 to 300 words in length.

Basic - Partially reflects on the search process and describes some of the following: how the topic was broken down, keywords used, keywords that worked and did not work, and managing the amount of information found. The reflection is 200 to 300 words in length.

Below Expectations - Minimally reflects on the search process and describes none or few of the following: how the topic was broken down, keywords used, keywords that worked and did not work, and managing the amount of information found. The reflection may not meet the minimum word count.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable 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 - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing. 

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence that may be unrelated and offer little support to the ideas in the writing. 

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 - 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.