Rubric Made Using:

RubiStar ( http://rubistar.4teachers.org )

CATEGORY

A paper

B paper

C paper

D paper

F paper

Title

Title is interesting, attention-catching, and/or punning, and conveys a good image of what the research will deal with.

Title is interesting, and predicts what the paper will deal with.

Title predicts what the paper will deal with, but lacks originality.

Title is not inviting to read any further, and/or does not predict what the research will be about.

Has no Title.

Abstract

Abstract gives an excellent, attention-catching, clear, and concise summary of methods, participants, and findings of the research.

Abstract gives a good summary of methods, participants, and findings of the research.

Abstract gives a summary of most of the components that belong in an abstract, such as methods, participants, and findings.

Abstract fails to give a summary of most of the components that belong in an abstract, and is written in the wrong format (too long, too short, no academic language, etc.)

Has no Abstract, or no recognizable Abstract.

Introduction

The Introduction gives an excellent overview of the status quo of current research, and its shortcomings, and justifies the present study.

The Introduction gives a good overview of the status quo of current research, and its shortcomings, and justifies the present study.

The Introduction gives an overview of some of the current trends with regard to the topic. However, this does not justify fully why this study needed to be written.

The Introduction does not talk about the status quo and current trends regarding the topic. It fails to justify the necessity for the present study.

Has no Introduction, or it does not introduce the topic.

Purpose

The purpose of the research paper is its research question, and it is clearly stated (either only in the Abstract, or also in a separate section entitled Purpose). It will be answered in the Conclusion.

The purpose of the research paper is its research question, and it is clearly stated (either only in the Abstract, or also in a separate section entitled Purpose). It will be answered in the conclusion.

No clear research question stated; or multiple questions stated. The Conclusion answers it only partly, or insufficiently.

No research question stated. No research question answered in the conclusion.

No research question stated. No research question answered in the Conclusion.

Participants

The description of the demographics of the participants is outstanding, with lots of data (gender, age, race, profession, experience, income, region, etc.).

The description of the demographics of the participants is good, and contains most of the necessary data.

The description of the demographics of the participants is satisfactory, but falling short of some necessary data.

The description of the demographics of the participants is insufficient; the reader does not gain a good overview of the subjects and their backgrounds.

Not described.

Literature Review

The Literature Review is outstanding in every way. It contains at least three quotes (in correct APA style) from three different, peer-reviewed research articles from either JSTOR, ERIC, or Google Scholar, and has exciting transitions between them.

The Literature Review is very good. It contains at least three quotes (in correct APA style) from three different, peer-reviewed research articles from either JSTOR, ERIC, or Google Scholar, and has meaningful transitions between them.

The Literature Review has flaws. It contains at least three quotes (but the APA style is not always correct) from three different, peer-reviewed research articles from either JSTOR, ERIC, or Google Scholar. It does not always have meaningful transitions between them.

The Literature Review is very faulty. It contains only 2 quotes (and if 3 are present, they are not in correct APA style) from three different, peer-reviewed research articles from either JSTOR, ERIC, or Google Scholar, and has no meaningful transitions between them.

Has no Literature Review, or it is so faulty it is not recognizable as one (no quotations, references, APA style, etc.). Has less than 3 sources/quotes, or uses quotes from unscientific writings.

Methods

The methods (online survey created by Surveymonkey; emailed out to participants) are formulated in a clear, concise, brief way. Outstanding.

The methods are described in a clear, short way. Some information could be added.

The methods are described roughly, but not in detail.

The description of the methods falls short in every way.

Not described.

Results

The results of most of the important survey items are given; not only of the graphs. There are suitable transitions between the three graphs. The Results chapter does not start with an image, but with a meaningful introduction before the images. The three graphs are aesthetic, flawless, easy to understand, diverse, and constitute a strong visual support for the written analysis. The written analysis is outstanding, and contains all the peaks and even the averages. The written analysis can be understood without seeing the graphs, and it says just as much as the graphs.

The results of several of the important survey items are given; not only of the graphs. There are transitions between the three graphs. The three graphs are flawless, easy to understand, and constitute a visual support for the written analysis. The written analysis is very good, and contains all the peaks. The written analysis can be understood without seeing the graphs, and it says almost as much as the graphs.

Only very few other results are discussed in addition to the three graphs. There are no meaningful transitions between the graphs. The three graphs are mostly without error, and are easy to understand. They do not very well support the written analysis. The written analysis is satisfactory, and contains most of the necessary data. The written analysis can hardly be understood without seeing the graphs, though.

No other results except for the graphs are discussed. There are no transitions whatsoever between the graphs. They are just glued behind one another. The three graphs are with many flaws, hard to understand, and constitute no support whatsoever for the written analysis. The written analysis is very flawed, too short, and/or does not contain all the peaks. The written analysis cannot be understood without seeing the graphs at all.

Graphs and statements are missing, or do not go together. Results are confusing. No introduction, no transitions. No other results discussed at all.

Conclusion

The Conclusion contains all the important findings, answers the research question, and recommendations for future research, and limitations. Outstanding.

The Conclusion contains all the important findings, answers the research question, and recommendations for future research. Very good.

The Conclusion contains most of the important findings, attempts to answer the research question, but no recommendations for future research. Satisfactory.

The Conclusion is just a summary, and says nothing at all. It does not answer the research question. No explicit numbers of findings, and no recommendation for future research.

There is no Conclusion. Or, the conclusion does not answer the research question, if there was one. It contains no findings, just Engfish.

Limitations (voluntary)

The Conclusion does not only contain the positive findings, but also the Limitations that would make the research less valid/reliable. Outstanding.

no Limitations

no Limitations

no Limitations

no Limitations

Annotated Bibliography

The Annotated Bibliography contains 2-3 sentences of summary per source, and 2-3 sentences of personal statement per source. It contains 3 sources in correct APA style. The content is outstanding.

The Annotated Bibliography contains about 2 sentences of summary and personal statement per source. There are 3 sources. The APA style might not always be correct. The content is very good or good.

The Annotated Bibliography contains about 2 sentences of summary and personal statement per source. There are 3 sources. The APA style has some flaws. The content is satisfactory.

The Annotated Bibliography contains less than 2 sentences of summary and personal statement per source. There aren't 3 sources. The APA style is not correct. The content is very poor.

No Annotated Bibliography, or wrong format (2-3 sentences per summary, per personal response). Wrong APA style. Barely any content there.

Enclosure (pdf Report Sheet)

The pdf Report Sheet is stapled to the Research Essay. All components are printed out correctly, including the "View" buttons for the comment boxes.

The pdf Report Sheet is stapled to the Research Essay. All components are printed out correctly, including most of the "View" buttons for the comment boxes.

The pdf Report Sheet is attached. It might be in the wrong format (Word instead pdf), or not all components are printed out (e.g., the "View" buttons for text box answers are missing).

The pdf Report Sheet is not attached.

The pdf Report is not attached.

Grammar and Mechanics

The Research Essay is flawless in every aspect.

The Research Essay contains only minor grammatical or spelling mistakes.

The Research Essay contains several grammatical or spelling mistakes which interfere with an agreable reading of the paper.

The Research Essay contains lots of grammatical and spelling mistakes, which makes the reading a hard job.

Full of errors.

Format

13 out of 12 components are there. Layout is as required (single-spaced, black lines over and under the Abstract, keywords in one line, bold-printed headings, etc.; as in sample essays from last year).

12 out of 12 components are there. Layout with only very minor faults.

12 out of 12 components are there. Layout has some faults.

Less than 12, but more than 9 components are there. Several layout faults.

Less than 9 components present, and lots of layout issues.

Academic Language

No personal "I," "you," "we," etc. is used (except for in the Annotated Bibliography, where you are allowed to use the "I" in the part of the personal statement; not in the summary part). No personifications are used ("this article talks about"). No first names of authors are used. The words/phrases "it is a fact that," "it is the truth that," "it proves/is a proof of" are not used. Insecure statements are carefully formulated ("it can be suggested that," "it might be concluded that"). The entire paper is written in the passive voice. Nice, long sentences with lots of commas and semi-colons. Readability level is 16+. The APA style is used correctly in the citations (Miller 1999, 58). Quotes longer than 4 lines are indented, without quotation marks. Quotes under 4 lines are integrated in the text flow, and have quotation marks.

Most of the rules for the A paper requirement are observed correctly. Long sentences. Readability level is 14+. The APA style is mostly used correctly in quotations.

Some of the rules for the A paper requirement are observed correctly, but there are lots of infiltrations of non-academic language. Short sentences, few commas and semi-colons. Readability level is 12+. The APA style is often used incorrectly in quotations.

No academic language used. Short, choppy sentences. Readability level is below 12. The APA style is faulty in citations.

No academic language used. Very inappropriate language used. Readability level is below 9. Quotations are not referenced (plagiarism).