Distinguished - Creates a brief, descriptive, and creative title for the study.

Proficient - Creates a brief, descriptive, and somewhat creative title for the study.

Basic - Creates a brief title that is somewhat descriptive and/or somewhat creative for the study.

Below Expectations - Creates a brief title; however, it is neither descriptive nor creative for the study.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the purpose of the study.

Proficient - Explains the purpose of the study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the purpose of the study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the purpose of the study; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Effectively and clearly states the research questions in list format.

Proficient - States the research questions in list format. Minor details are unclear.

Basic - Vaguely states the research questions in list format. Relevant details are unclear.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively states the research questions, and/or not in list format. Significant details are unclear.

Non-Performance - The research questions are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly describes the forms of data to be collected and how this data informs the research. The description is two to three paragraphs in length.

Proficient - Adequately describes the forms of data to be collected and how this data informs the research. The description is two to three paragraphs in length. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the forms of data to be collected and how this data informs the research. The description is two paragraphs in length. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the forms of data to be collected and/or how this data informs the research. The description is fewer than two paragraphs or more than three paragraphs in length. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the forms of data to be collected is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly explains the value of the selected forms of data and how this information will inform the focus and research questions. The explanation is two to three paragraphs in length.

Proficient - Adequately explains the value of the selected forms of data and how this information will inform the focus and research questions. The explanation is two to three paragraphs in length. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the value of the selected forms of data and how this information will inform the focus and research questions. The explanation is two paragraphs in length. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively explains the value of the selected forms of data and/or how this information will inform the focus and research questions. The explanation is fewer than two paragraphs or more than three paragraphs in length. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the value of the selected forms of data is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly completes the Data Collection Tool and includes it as an appendix in the assignment document.

Proficient - Adequately completes the Data Collection Tool and includes it as an appendix in the assignment document. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally completes the Data Collection Tool and includes it as an appendix in the assignment document. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to complete the Data Collection Tool and include it as an appendix in the assignment document; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The Data Collection Tool is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 - 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 - 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.