Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction. Describes topic issue and research question in depth.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction. Describes the topic and research question, though description could have be more fully developed.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction. Provided a brief or unclear description of topic and research question.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction. Describe the topic issue and/or research question are unclear or vauge.

Non-Performance - The introduction, and research question are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Discusses the research question in detail, providing superior critical analysis within the context of existing research.

Proficient - Discusses the research question in detail within the context of existing research. Discussion of question could be more fully developed.

Basic - Discusses the research question, though detail may be lacking and reference to existing research in minimal.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the research question and reference to existing research may be missing or incomplete.

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

Distinguished - Clearly differentiates at least three independent and dependent variables and extensively justifies their selection with multiple appropriate sources.

Proficient - Differentiates at least three independent and dependent variables and justifies their selection with at least one appropriate source.

Basic - Differentiates independent and dependent variables though the distinction and or justification of selection may be vague.

Below Expectations - Attempts to differentiate independent and dependent variables. Justification of selection is incomplete or missing.

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

Distinguished - Analyzes each variable and interprets the outcomes in a thorough and concise manner.

Proficient - Analyzes each variables and interprets the outcomes in detail.

Basic - Analysis of some, but not all variables.  Provides a general  interpretation of the outcomes.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyzes the variables, interpretation of the outcomes may be weak or missing.

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

Distinguished - Proposes detailed research conclusions that are thoroughly and clearly supported by previous sections in the draft and applies these conclusions to identify areas of future research.

Proficient - Proposes detailed research conclusions that are supported by previous sections in the draft and applies these conclusion to identify areas of future research. Explanation of future research could be more fully developed.

Basic - Proposes research conclusions that are  supported by the draft and identifies areas of future research, though one of the components may be vague.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose research conclusions that are supportable by the draft and/or identification of areas of future research are missing or incomplete.

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

Distinguished - Exceptionally effective use of the outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Proficient - Adequate use of the outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Basic - Somewhat used the outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Below Expectations - Minimal use of the outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Non-Performance - The incorporation of outline feedback in the development of the final paper is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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

Distinguished - Properly employs all existing conventions for the specific type of assignment (e.g., lab report, academic paper, personal essay, etc.), as well as for the specific academic field (e.g., Science, Business, English, etc.).

Proficient - Properly employs most of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific academic field.

Basic - Employs some existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific type of academic field.

Below Expectations - Employs very few of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific type of academic field.

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

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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 and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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

Distinguished - Provides ample resources and uses the correct number of sources from the specified search agents.

Proficient - Provides the approximate number of sources, while using some of the correct search agents specified in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Provides over half of the sources required in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Provides inadequate number of resources and does not include sources from specified search agents.

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