Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the research question, hypothesis, methods, and results of the assigned quantitative research study.

Proficient - Summarizes the research question, hypothesis, methods, and results of the assigned quantitative study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the research question, hypothesis, methods, and results of the assigned quantitative research study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the research question, hypothesis, methods, and results of the assigned quantitative research study; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of the research question, hypothesis, methods, and results of the assigned quantitative research study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately determines whether the study uses an experimental or non-experimental approach, and thoroughly explains reasoning, fully supporting the explanation with reference to the textbook or another scholarly source about research methods.

Proficient - Determines whether the study uses an experimental of non-experimental approach, and explains reasoning, supporting the explanation with reference to the textbook or another scholarly source about research methods. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Partially determines whether the study uses an experimental or non-experimental approach, and minimally explains reasoning, somewhat supporting the explanation with reference to the textbook or another scholarly source about research methods. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to determine whether the study uses an experimental or non-experimental approach and explain reasoning, fully supporting the explanation with reference to the textbook or another scholarly source about research methods; however, significant details are missing and entirely inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The determination of whether the study uses an experimental or non-experimental approach and explanation of reasoning are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the appropriateness of the research methods and analytical approaches used in the study, fully supporting the evaluation with evidence cited from the textbook and other scholarly sources about the research design or method.

Proficient - Evaluates the appropriateness of the research methods and analytical approaches used in the study, supporting the evaluation with evidence cited from the textbook or another scholarly source about the research design or method. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the research methods and/or analytical approaches used in the study, somewhat supporting the evaluation with evidence cited from the textbook or another scholarly source about the research design or method. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the research methods and/or analytical approaches used in the study; however, does not support the evaluation with evidence cited from the textbook or another scholarly source about the research design or method, and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the appropriateness of the research methods and analytical approaches used in the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes ethical issues pertaining to how the study was carried out by identifying what the researchers reported about their efforts to ensure an ethical study, including a comprehensive discussion of possible ethical considerations which were not mentioned in the article.

Proficient - Analyzes ethical issues pertaining to how the study was carried out by identifying what the researchers reported about their efforts to ensure an ethical study including a discussion of possible ethical considerations that were not mentioned in the article. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally analyzes ethical issues pertaining to how the study was carried out by identifying what the researchers reported about their efforts to ensure an ethical study, including a limited discussion of possible ethical considerations. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze ethical issues pertaining to how the study was carried out; however, does not include a discussion of possible ethical considerations that were not mentioned in the article, and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of ethical issues pertaining to how the study was carried out is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly critiques the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study, including those mentioned by the researchers and others which were not mentioned in the article.

Proficient - Critiques the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study, discussing those items mentioned by the researchers. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally critiques strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study that are mentioned by the researchers. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to critique the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The critique of the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Recommends an appropriate and narrowly defined research question and feasible research methods for a follow-up study on the topic.

Proficient - Recommends an appropriate research question and feasible research methods for a follow-up study on the topic. The research question could be made more specific.

Basic - Recommends a research question and research methods for a follow-up study. The research question may not be appropriate and narrowly defined, or the recommended methods may not be feasible.

Below Expectations - Recommends a research question or research methods for a follow-up study, but not both. The research question is not appropriate and narrowly defined, or the suggested methods are not feasible.

Non-Performance - The recommendation of a research question and methods for a follow-up study on the topic are 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.