Research Paper Rubric

5 6 8

The paper demonstrates

that the author, for the
The paper does not The paper demonstrates
most part, understands
demostrate that the that the author, to a
and has applied concepts
Integration of author has fully certain extent,
learned in the course.
Knowledge understood and applied understands and has
Some of the conclusions,
concepts learned in the applied concepts learned
however, are not
course in the course.
supported in the body of
the paper.

The topic is focused but

lacks direction. The
The topic is too broad for
The topic is not clearly paper is about a specific
Topic Focus the scope of this
defined. topic but the writer has
assignment.
not established a
position.

The writer has omitted

pertinent content or
Cursory discussion in all
content runs-on In-depth discussion &
Depth of the sections of the paper
excessively. Quotations elaboration in most
Discussion or brief discussion in
from others outweigh the sections of the paper.
only a few sections.
writer’s own ideas
excessively.
Sometimes ties together
Does not tie together For the most part, ties
information from all
information. Paper does together information
sources. Paper does not
not flow and appears to from all sources. Paper
flow - disjointedness is
be created from disparate flows with only some
apparent. Author's
issues. Headings are disjointedness. Author's
Cohesiveness writing does not
necessary to link writing demonstrates an
demonstrate an
concepts. Writing does understanding of the
understanding of the
not demonstrate relationship among
relationship among
understanding any material obtained from
material obtained from
relationships all sources.
all sources.
Unacceptable number of
Spelling and Noticeable spelling & Minimal spelling &/or
spelling and/or grammar
Grammar grammar mistakes. grammar mistakes.
mistakes.
 Fewer than 5 current
Fewer than 5 current
sources, or fewer than 2 5 current sources, of
sources, or fewer than 2
of 5 are peer-reviewed which at least 2 are peer-
of 5 are peer- reviewed
journal articles or review journal articles or
Sources journal articles or
scholarly books. Not all scholarly books. All web
scholarly books. All web
web sites utilized are sites utilized are
sites utilized are
credible, and/or sources authoritative.
credible.
are not current.

Cites most data obtained

Cites some data obtained
from other sources. IEEE
from other sources.
Citations Does not cite sources. citation style is used in
Citation style is either
both text and
inconsistent or incorrect.
bibliography.
 10

The paper demonstrates

that the author fully
understands and has
applied concepts learned
in the course. Concepts
are integrated into the
writer’s own insights.
The writer provides
concluding remarks that
show analysis and
synthesis of ideas.

The topic is focused

narrowly enough for the
scope of this assignment.
A thesis statement
provides direction for the
paper, either by
statement of a position or
hypothesis.

In-depth discussion &

elaboration in all
sections of the paper.

Ties together
information from all
sources. Paper flows
from one issue to the
next without the need for
headings. Author's
writing demonstrates an
understanding of the
relationship among
material obtained from
all sources.
No spelling &/or
grammar mistakes.
More than 5 current
sources, of which at least
3 are peer- review
journal articles or
scholarly books. Sources
include both general
background sources and
specialized sources.
Special- interest sources
and popular literature are
acknowledged as such if
they are cited. All web
sites utilized are
authoritative.

Cites all data obtained

from other sources. IEEE
citation style or similar is
used in both text and
bibliography.