This document provides a rubric for evaluating action research projects. It outlines criteria for assessing key components of an action research paper, including the literature review, demographics, action plan, implementation, analysis and reporting, and overall report structure. Each criteria is scored on a scale of 1 to 6, with space for comments. The rubric will be used to provide feedback and evaluate students' action research papers.

1. ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 1 of 9
Literature Review:
Criteria Score
The issue as defined has significance, a direct relationship
to the work setting, and is appropriate in scope for
implementation.
1
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3
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5
6
Comments

2. Criteria Score
Comments
Criteria Score
Data are used appropriately and presented clearly to
substantiate for the reader the existence and scope of the
issue.
1
2
3
4
5
6

3. Comments
Criteria Score
Comments
Criteria Score
Literature cited is current and drawn from a variety of
sources.
1
2
3
4
5
6

4. Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 2 of 9
Criteria Score
The literature review clearly and accurately portrays the
findings of the various authors cited in giving multiple
perspectives on the issue.
1
2
3
4
5

5. 6
Comments
Criteria Score
The literature review includes the author’s own analysis.
This analysis is accurate and penetrating in shedding light
on the issue.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments

6. Demographics:
Criteria Score
School and community demographics are provided in
adequate detail and their meanings are explained to the
reader.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score

7. The population of the school (and classroom) is described in
terms of its learning needs and abilities.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC

8. Page 3 of 9
Criteria Score
The writer’s role and power base in the work setting are
described.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
All individuals, institutions, and locations are identified in
Comments

9. Action Plan:
Criteria Score
Begins with a clear and concise statement of the central goal
of the project.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
Outcomes are operationally stated in measurable terms and

10. clearly related to the evidence stated in the Literature
Review.
1
2
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4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
Data gathering instruments are described in detail and,
where appropriate, included in appendixes.
1
2

11. 3
4
5
6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 4 of 9
Criteria Score
Instruments for gathering data are appropriate for the issue
and will enable the writer to establish the success of the
solution strategy. Instruments that were used appear in an
appendix or are referenced if published elsewhere.
1

12. 2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
Data do not include standardized test scores that can only
yield data annually to substantiate the existence of the
issue.
Comments

13. Criteria Score
Data gathering instruments are adequate in scope to
measure outcomes for the project and show the degree to
which outcomes will be met.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
The author indicates the sources of the action plan. This
would include appropriate citation of sources for the plan
and an explanation of the rationale behind the author's
original adaptation or development of a plan.
1

14. 2
3
4
5
6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 5 of 9

15. Criteria Score
The action steps address the issue, are designed to achieve
the stated outcomes, and take into account the setting.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
The action steps are presented with adequate clarity and
detail so that the reader could replicate the plan in another
setting.
1

16. 2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Implementation:
Criteria Score
The author explains the situations that made it necessary to
adapt the original plan and any issues with implementation
are described and discussed.
1
2

17. 3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
The writer’s role and leadership in all aspects of the
implementation are described.
1
2
3
4
5

18. 6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 6 of 9
Analysis and Reporting:
Criteria Score
All relevant data gathered from the evaluation instruments
are included and summarized.
1
2
3

19. 4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
Quantitative data (if used) are summarized using
appropriate statistical techniques.
1
2
3
4
5

20. 6
Comments
Criteria Score
Qualitative data (if used) are summarized appropriately. 1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments

21. Criteria Score
Data are analyzed so that the reader can make sense of
them and draw conclusions about the degree of success that
the plan of action achieved.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments

22. ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 7 of 9
Criteria Score
The writer reviewed the intended outcomes of the action
plan and evaluated the effectiveness of the project.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments

23. Criteria Score
The author adequately discusses how the findings of this
project will be incorporated into his or her teaching or
educational practice.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria for the Entire Report:

24. Criteria Score
The report follows the style presented in the exemplars. 1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
Citations within the text use the latest APA format (see
exemplars).
1
2

25. 3
4
5
6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
Page 8 of 9
Criteria Score
The reference section at the end of the report uses the latest
APA format.
1

26. 2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score
All citations in the text appear in the reference section. 6
Comments
Criteria Score
Comments

27. Criteria Score
The format of the report conforms to the latest APA style
including the Title Page, Reference Page, in text citations,
margins, and page numbering.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Comments
Criteria Score

28. Writing is clear and in an academic style. 1
2
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5
6
Comments
ACTION RESEARCH RUBRIC
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Criteria Score
Writing is free of mechanical errors. 1

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Comments
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Concordia University
Page 3 of 3
Concordia University
Page 1 of 3
CAPSTONE PROJECTDOCUMENTATION FORM
Action Research is an exciting, disciplined process of discovery
designed to integrate theory into one’s daily practice in a way

32. that improves educational practices and the individual
conducting the research. Action Research is the Capstone
Project in the Master’s of Education program for Concordia
University online. It gives the educator, as a scholarly
practitioner, the opportunity to examine relevant issues in his or
her own classroom or school which may complicate,
compromise, or complement the learning process—and to find
meaningful, practical, research-based answers.
In Action Research, teachers are empowered to design a
research-based plan, identify learning issues or problems,
review relevant literature that examines identified problems,
implement specific, research-based strategies, and discover
convincing evidence that supports or contravenes their teaching
strategies. The most exciting part of Action Research is the
teacher can often observe student improvement during the
project and can demonstrate, in a quantitative manner, the
improvement of student learning. Sagor notes, “Seeing students
grow is probably the greatest joy educators can experience”
(2002, p. 5).
The steps to the Capstone Project are detailed below. Read
through all of the steps before creating your implementation
plan. Save this form as a draft until all Action Research steps
have been completed and all responses are documented. You
will submit this form at different stages of completion
throughout EDU 698.
ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT
Name:
Insert text here.
Title of Project:
Insert text here.
Date Completed:
Insert text here.
IMPLEMENTATION TIME FRAME:
Number of weeks:
Insert text here.
TIMELINE of ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT:

33. Start Date:
Insert text here.
End Date:
Insert text here.
AREA OF FOCUS: What is your chosen area of focus? Why
did you choose this area? How does it directly impact you?
Insert text here.
RESEARCH QUESTION:
Insert text here.
DEMOGRAPHICS
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA: Where/What is the research site?
Who is directly involved? What statistics will give a clear
understanding of the context and culture of the research site?
(Do not use name as an identifier.) Provide references for
sources used.
Insert text here.
TARGET GROUP: Who are the students you are trying to
impact? (Do not use names - you must use another identifier.)
How do you think this strategy or content focus will benefit the
target group?
Insert text here.
BASELINE DATA: What are the baseline data that support your
choice for this area of focus? What patterns or trends do you
see in the data? What is your proof that an issue exists in this
focus area? (NOTE: You may not depend solely on
Standardized Test Scores.)
Insert text here.
ACTION PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: What is your plan to implement
the strategy or content knowledge? How did you collaborate
with other staff involved with this issue?
Insert text here.
PROCEDURES & MEASURES: What are the steps you will
follow? How will you measure student progress?
Insert text here.
DATA COLLECTION: What data will be collected? How often?

34. What tools will be used? Copies of tools will go in appendixes.
Insert text here.
IMPLEMENTATION: (Describe the actual implementation of
your plan.)
Week 1:Insert text here.
Week 2: Insert text here.
DOCUMENTATION OF ADJUSTMENTS: How did the plan
change during the course of the Action Research timeline?
What prompted the change? What were the effects of the
changes?
Insert text here.
ANALYSIS & REPORTING
REPORTING RESULTS: What are your results and how will
you share them? How does the baseline data compare to the
ending data? What is the story told by your data?
Insert text here.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE: How will the results impact
your teaching in the future? How did the project inform your
decision-making as a professional?
Insert text here.
CONCLUSIONS: Did this study improve student performance?
Explain. Did this study improve your skills as a teacher?
Explain.
Insert text here.
REFERENCES:
Insert text here.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
Insert text here.
On the Action Research Documentation Form, the Action Plan
section is comprised of three subsections:
· Implementation Plan
· Procedures and Measures

35. · Data Collection
Implementation plan: describe your plan in detail. You will
write an overview of the implementation answering the follow
questions:
· What is your plan to implement the strategy or content
knowledge?
· How did you collaborate with other staff involved with this
issue during the planning process?
Procedures and Measures: Identify what, when, and how? List
the step-by-step procedures of conducting the study. How will
you determine that your students have made progress?
Data Collection: Using the tools created earlier this week
answer the following questions:
· What data will be collected?
· How often will you collect the data?
· What tools or instruments will be used?
Complete this section of the form and submit it for feedback
from your instructor. Your graded Action Plan will serve as
your permission to move forward with your project. If your
instructor has questions or concerns, they will be noted when
this document is graded. Please work through any questions or
concerns with your instructor before you proceed.
Include your data collection tools in the appendixes of the final
report.