Distinguished - Clearly and effectively introduces the research topic, thoroughly explains why it is important, and presents an appropriately and narrowly defined research question and/or hypothesis.

Proficient - Introduces the research topic, explains why it is important, and presents a research question and/or hypothesis. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Introduces the research topic, partially explains why it is important, and presents a limited research question and/or hypothesis. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the research topic, explain why it is important, and present a research question and/or hypothesis; however, significant details and/or one of the components are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The introduction of the research topic, explanation of why it is important, and research question and/or hypothesis are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly evaluates a minimum of three published peer-reviewed articles, thoroughly summarizing the current state of knowledge and research methods used.

Proficient - Evaluates three published peer-reviewed articles, summarizing the current state of knowledge and research methods used. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally evaluates at least two published peer-reviewed articles, summarizing the current state of knowledge and research methods used. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate three published peer-reviewed articles, summarizing the current state of knowledge and research methods used; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of three published peer-reviewed articles and summary of the current state of knowledge and research methods used are either nonexistent or lack the components of the assignment instruction.

Distinguished - Clearly states whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach.

Proficient - States whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Vaguely states whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to state whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The statement of whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a thorough, clear, feasible research design using at least two peer-reviewed sources to support methodological choices.

Proficient - Creates a feasible research design using two peer-reviewed sources to support methodological choices. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Creates a limited research design using at least one peer-reviewed source to support methodological choices Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a feasible research design using at least one peer-reviewed source to support methodological choices; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The feasible research design using two peer-reviewed sources to support methodological choices is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the sampling strategy used to recruit participants and comprehensively explains why this sampling method is appropriate.

Proficient - Describes the sampling strategy used to recruit participants and explains why this sampling method is appropriate. Minor details are missing or the explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes the sampling strategy used to recruit participants and partially explains why this sampling method is appropriate. Relevant details are missing and/or the explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the sampling strategy used to recruit participants and explain why this sampling method is appropriate; however, significant details are missing and the explanation is underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the sampling strategy used to recruit participants and explanation of why this sampling method is appropriate are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly applies the scientific method by describing the steps taken in carrying out the study.

Proficient - Applies the scientific method by describing the steps taken in carrying out the study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally applies the scientific method by describing the steps taken in carrying out the study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply the scientific method by describing the steps taken in carrying out the study; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The application of the scientific method by describing the steps taken in carrying out the study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the statistical techniques or the analysis procedure used to analyze the data.

Proficient - Describes the statistical techniques or the analysis procedure used to analyze the data. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the statistical techniques or the analysis procedure used to analyze the data. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the statistical techniques or the analysis procedure used to analyze the data; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the statistical techniques or the analysis procedure used to analyze the data is either nonexistent or lacks the components of the assignment instruction.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study indicating what will be done to handle these concerns.

Proficient - Analyzes the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study indicating what will be done to handle these concerns. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study indicating what will be done to handle these concerns. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study indicating what will be done to handle these concerns; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study indicating what will be done to handle these concerns is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly summarizes the major points of the paper reiterating why the proposed study is needed.

Proficient - Summarizes the major points of the paper reiterating why the proposed study is needed. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the major points of the paper reiterating why the proposed study is needed. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the major points of the paper reiterating why the proposed study is needed; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The summary of the major points of the paper reiterating why the proposed study is needed is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 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 assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem. Identifies consequences of the solution and clearly communicates the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient - Carefully chooses among alternatives and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solve.

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