Distinguished - Provides a comprehensively developed list of at least three specific aims that clearly state and justify the goals of the proposed study.

Proficient - Provides a developed list of three specific aims that clearly state and justify the goals of the proposed study. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Provides a list of at least two specific aims that somewhat state and justify the goals of the proposed study. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Provides a list of specific aims; however, the aims do not state and justify the goals of the proposed study and significant details are missing and unclear.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing previous peer-reviewed research studies including the ones listed in the Week 2 Annotated Bibliography.  The literature fully review supports the need for the proposed study, either as a replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an underexplored area of this topic.

Proficient - Summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing previous peer-reviewed research studies including the ones listed in the Week 2 Annotated Bibliography.  The literature review supports the need for the proposed study, either as a replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an underexplored area of this topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing previous peer-reviewed research studies including the ones listed in the Week 2 Annotated Bibliography.  The literature review minimally supports the need for the proposed study, either as a replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an underexplored area of this topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic by citing previous peer-reviewed research studies; however, does not include the ones listed in the Week 2 Annotated Bibliography,   the literature review does not support the need for the proposed study, either as a replication and confirmation of a previous study or extension into an underexplored area of this topic, and significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - All statements in the Background and Significance sections are supported by cited peer-reviewed references.

Proficient -Most (90% or more) statements in the Background and Significance sections are supported by cited peer-reviewed references.

Basic - At least 75% of statements in the Background and Significance sections are supported by cited peer-reviewed references.

Below Expectations - Less than 75% of the statements in the Background and Significance sections are supported by cited peer-reviewed references.

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

Distinguished - The significance section thoroughly explains how the proposed study will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability and or clinical practice in the field of study.

Proficient - The significance section explains how the proposed study will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability and or clinical practice in the field of study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - The significance section partially explains how the proposed study will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability and or clinical practice in the field of study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - The significance section does not explain how the proposed study will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability and or clinical practice in the field of study. Significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - The proposed study is thoroughly described including the research design, sampling strategy, and data collection procedures and measures.  All sections are complete and detailed.

Proficient - The proposed study is described including the research design, sampling strategy, and data collection procedures and measures.  Minor details are missing.

Basic - The proposed study is partially described including the research design, sampling strategy, and data collection procedures and measures.  Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - The proposed study is vaguely described; however, significant details are missing from two or more of the following sections: research design, sampling strategy, and data collection procedures and measures. 

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes concerns regarding risks to subject in the proposed study.  Solutions are given for all identified potential risks.

Proficient - Analyzes concerns regarding risks to subject in the proposed study.  Solutions are given for most identified potential risks.  The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes concerns regarding risks to subject in the proposed study.  Solutions are given for some identified potential risks. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of risks to subject in the proposed study; however,   solutions are not give for any identified potential risks, and the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - The budget justification section is complete and provides a thorough explanation/rationale for all items in the proposed budget.

Proficient - The budget justification section is mostly complete and provides an explanation/rationale for all items in the proposed budget.  Minor details are missing.

Basic - The budget justification section is somewhat complete and provides a brief explanation/rationale for all items in the proposed budget. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - The budget justification section provides only a partial explanation/justification for all items in the proposed budget, or an explanation for some items is missing. 

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

Distinguished - Appendix A is complete and calculated accurately and does not exceed the maximum amount available for the proposed study.

Proficient - Appendix A is mostly complete and calculated accurately, although one or two minor errors may be present.  The budget does not exceed the maximum amount available for the proposed study.

Basic - Appendix A is somewhat complete and calculated accurately, although three or more minor errors may be present.  The budget does not exceed the maximum amount available for the proposed study.

Below Expectations - Appendix A contains significant errors in calculation or the budget does not conform to the guidelines (e.g., maximum funding available) for the proposed study.

Non-Performance - Appendix A (Budget) 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 - 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 - 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.