Rubric for summative evaluation of
research project website
Exceeds Expectations
4 3
Topic Selection Identifies a creative, focused,
and manageable topic that
addresses potentially significant
yet previously less-explored
aspects of the topic.
Existing Synthesizes in-depth information
Knowledge, from relevant sources
Research, representing various points of
and/or Views view/approaches.
Design All elements of the methodology
Process or theoretical framework are
skillfully developed. Appropriate
methodology or theoretical
frameworks may be synthesized
from across disciplines or from
relevant subdisciplines.
Analysis Organizes and synthesizes
evidence to reveal insightful
patterns, differences, or
similarities related to focus.
Conclusions States a conclusion that is a
logical extrapolation from the
inquiry findings.
Limitations Insightfully discusses in detail
and relevant and supported
Implications limitations and implications.
Adapted from the Association of American Colleges and Universities Inquiry and Analysis
VALUE Rubric (2009).
References
Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2009). Inquiry and analysis VALUE
rubric. https://www.aacu.org/initiatives/value-initiative/value-rubrics/value-rubrics-inquiry-
and-analysis
Meets Expectations
Identifies a focused and
manageable/doable topic that
appropriately addresses
relevant aspects of the topic.
Presents in-depth information
from relevant sources
representing various points of
view/approaches.
Critical elements of the
methodology or theoretical
framework are appropriately
developed; however, more
subtle elements are ignored or
unaccounted for.
Organizes evidence to reveal Organizes evidence, but the
important patterns, differences, organization is not effective in
or similarities related to focus. revealing important patterns,
States a conclusion focused
solely on the inquiry findings.
The conclusion arises
specifically from and responds
specifically to the inquiry
findings.
Discusses relevant and
supported limitations and
implications.
Progressing Does Not Meet Expectations
Toward Meeting Expectations
2 1
Identifies a topic that, while Identifies a topic that is far too
manageable/doable, is too general and wide-ranging as to
narrowly focused and leaves be manageable and doable.
out relevant aspects of the
topic.
Presents information from Presents information from
relevant sources representing irrelevant sources representing
limited points of limited points of
view/approaches. view/approaches.
Critical elements of the Inquiry design demonstrates a
methodology or theoretical misunderstanding of the
framework are missing, methodology or theoretical
incorrectly developed, or framework.
unfocused.
Lists evidence, but it is not
organized and/or is unrelated
to focus.
differences, or similarities.
States a general conclusion States an ambiguous, illogical,
that, because it is so general, or unsupportable conclusion
also applies beyond the scope from inquiry findings.
of the inquiry findings.
Presents relevant and Presents limitations and
supported limitations and implications, but they are
implications. possibly irrelevant and
unsupported.