Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly describes the chosen research topic.

Proficient - Describes the chosen research topic. Minor details are missing and/or unclear.

Basic - Partially describes the chosen research topic. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the research topic; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of the chosen research topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and effectively evaluates the relevance of each article to the research topic, including evidence that fully supports the position.

Proficient - Effectively evaluates the relevance of each article to the research topic, including evidence that supports the position. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the relevance of some or all of the articles, including evidence that somewhat supports the position. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the relevance of the articles; however, does not include evidence that supports the position, and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluations of how each article relates to the topic are either nonexistent or lack 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.