Distinguished - Clearly selects five articles one might consider using in one’s research proposal final paper.

Proficient - Selects five articles one might consider using in one’s research proposal final paper. Minor details are slightly unclear.

Basic - Selects three to five limited articles one might consider using in one’s research proposal final paper. Relevant details are unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to select five articles one might consider using in one’s research proposal final paper; however, significant details are unclear.

Non-Performance - The five articles one might consider using in one’s research proposal final paper are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes the articles in one paragraph each.

Proficient - Summarizes the articles in one paragraph each. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the articles in one paragraph each. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the articles in one paragraph each; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summaries of the articles in one paragraph each are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes why each article would or would not be beneficial in the context of the research in another paragraph.

Proficient - Analyzes why each article would or would not be beneficial in the context of the research in another paragraph. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes why each article would or would not be beneficial in the context of the research in another paragraph. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze why each article would or would not be beneficial in the context of the research in another paragraph; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of why each article would or would not be beneficial in the context of the research in another paragraph 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.