Research Paper Rubric Component 100% 75% 50% 25% 0 Basic Requirements Formatted correctly, at least 500 words in length, citation page and internal citations correct (APA format), at least 2 cited peer reviewed sources. Does not meet required page length, and/or does not have 2 cited peer reviewed sources. Thesis Statement Engaging, challenging, and clearly focuses the paper. Effectively stated in the introduction and carried throughout the paper. Clear and articulate, engaging and clearly focuses the paper, but is not challenging. Is effectively carried throughout the paper. Clearly stated in the introduction, attempts to be engaging, is adequate, but lacks insight and focus, and is carried through the paper. Included in the introduction, but is vague. Lacks insight, focus, and is not carried throughout the paper. Is vague or may be lacking in the introduction; is not focused and lacks development; is not carried throughout the paper. Introduction Strong and effective, it is engaging and clearly defines the thesis, as well as provides a foundation for the body of the paper. Effective and engaging, defines the thesis and provides foundation for the body of the paper. Introduces the topic of the paper and builds a connection between the topic, the thesis, and the body of the paper. Informative but not engaging or strong. Introduces the topic of the paper loosely and includes the thesis statement. Provides little information regarding the topic. Includes little more than the thesis and shows no demonstrable knowledge of the topic of the paper. Content Strongly and vividly supports the thesis and is reflective of strong, thorough research. Illustrates extensive knowledge of the topic. Every aspect of the thesis is supported by quality academic research. Strongly supports the thesis and is reflective of good, thorough research. Illustrates knowledge of the topic, but could be extended. Most aspects of the thesis are supported by quality academic research. Supports the thesis and reflects research, and illustrates adequate knowledge of the topic. Could be extended and shows some gaps in understanding of the topic. Although there may be some inconsistencies with support from quality academic research. Related to the thesis but reflects inadequate research and knowledge of the topic, and demonstrates a lack of understanding. There may be a lack of support from quality academic research. Does not convey adequate understanding of the topic, the research, or the thesis. There are many unsupported aspects of the thesis and the research lacks quality sources. Organization Effectively organized. Logical structure of points and smooth transitions convey both understanding of topic and care in writing. Well organized, but may lack some transitions between ideas. Logical structure ...

1. Research Paper Rubric
Component 100% 75% 50% 25% 0
Basic
Requirements
Formatted correctly, at
least 500 words in
length, citation page
and internal citations
correct (APA format), at
least 2 cited peer
reviewed sources.
Does not meet required
page length, and/or
does not have 2 cited
peer reviewed sources.
Thesis
Statement
Engaging, challenging,
and clearly focuses the
paper. Effectively
stated in the
introduction and
carried throughout the
paper.

2. Clear and articulate,
engaging and clearly
focuses the paper, but
is not challenging. Is
effectively carried
throughout the paper.
Clearly stated in the
introduction, attempts
to be engaging, is
adequate, but lacks
insight and focus, and is
carried through the
paper.
Included in the
introduction, but is
vague. Lacks insight,
focus, and is not carried
throughout the paper.
Is vague or may be
lacking in the
introduction; is not
focused and lacks
development; is not
carried throughout the
paper.
Introduction Strong and effective, it
is engaging and clearly
defines the thesis, as
well as provides a
foundation for the body
of the paper.

3. Effective and engaging,
defines the thesis and
provides foundation for
the body of the paper.
Introduces the topic of
the paper and builds a
connection between
the topic, the thesis,
and the body of the
paper. Informative but
not engaging or strong.
Introduces the topic of
the paper loosely and
includes the thesis
statement. Provides
little information
regarding the topic.
Includes little more
than the thesis and
shows no demonstrable
knowledge of the topic
of the paper.
Content
Strongly and vividly
supports the thesis and
is reflective of strong,
thorough research.
Illustrates extensive
knowledge of the topic.
Every aspect of the

4. thesis is supported by
quality academic
research.
Strongly supports the
thesis and is reflective
of good, thorough
research. Illustrates
knowledge of the topic,
but could be extended.
Most aspects of the
thesis are supported by
quality academic
research.
Supports the thesis and
reflects research, and
illustrates adequate
knowledge of the topic.
Could be extended and
shows some gaps in
understanding of the
topic. Although there
may be some
inconsistencies with
support from quality
academic research.
Related to the thesis
but reflects inadequate
research and
knowledge of the topic,
and demonstrates a
lack of understanding.
There may be a lack of
support from quality

5. academic research.
Does not convey
adequate
understanding of the
topic, the research, or
the thesis. There are
many unsupported
aspects of the thesis
and the research lacks
quality sources.
Organization Effectively organized.
Logical structure of
points and smooth
transitions convey both
understanding of topic
and care in writing.
Well organized, but
may lack some
transitions between
ideas. Logical structure
of most ideas conveys
understanding of topic
and composition.
Ideas are logically
structured, but may
lack transitions
between ideas. Could
benefit from
reorganizing 1 or 2
ideas.
Some significant gaps in

6. organization are
present but the basic
framework of ideas is
logical. Overall
organization could be
improved.
Much of the paper lacks
organization of ideas,
making it difficult to
understand the ideas
expressed in the paper.
Citation Format APA format is used
accurately as needed
throughout the entire
paper.
APA format is used
throughout the entire
paper, but may show
variations or slight
inconsistencies of
format.
APA format is used
throughout the entire
paper, but may be
noticeably inconsistent
in format.
APA format is used
inaccurately and
inconsistently in the
paper.

7. APA is not used
(regardless of the
number of sources or
citations).
Conclusion Strongly and clearly
connects the thesis
statement to the
research to draw a
specific conclusion that
does not leave the
reader with questions
regarding the thesis.
Clearly connects the
thesis statement and
the research to draw a
clear conclusion that
draws the research to a
logical close.
Connects the thesis
statement and research
to draw a conclusion
regarding the research.
Restates the topic
statements throughout
the paper.
Restates the thesis and
the topic statements,
but does not draw any
specific conclusion
about the research or
the thesis.

8. There is no conclusion;
it restates the thesis at
best.
Conventions Conventions of
standard written
English are used with
accuracy; there are few,
if any, minor errors.
Conventions of
standard written
English are used; there
may be several minor
errors of usage.
Conventions of
standard written
English are used;
however, there may be
a few major errors and
few minor errors of
usage.
Conventions of
standard written
English are used with
numerous major errors
and several minor
errors of usage.
The paper shows
significant errors in
conventions of
standard written
English.

9. Your final research paper assignment is to write a research
paper that explains how Information Technology (IT) promotes
getting people who are affected by policies involved in the
policy-making process. Cite specific examples.
To complete this assignment, upload a Microsoft Word
document (.doc or .docx) that contains your complete paper.
Remember that your paper, including your list of sources, must
be in APA format, and you MUST cite your reference in the
body of the paper using APA in-text citation format. A source is
any paper or article that you will reference in your paper. If you
need more information on APA format (for references list AND
in-text citations), visit this reference:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
This assignment must be YOUR OWN WORK! This is an
individual assignment. Plagiarism detected in your work will
result in a grade of zero for the entire paper.
Here are a few details about the overall research paper Please
look at the attached rubric for details on how the paper will be
graded.
You must reference two (2) peer-reviewed articles or papers
that support your thesis statement. One of these papers may be
from your annotated bibliography assignment. The final paper
must be at least 500 words in length. (DO NOT exceed 500
words by a material amount. Excessive words or too many
references will NOT impress me.)
So in summary, here are the research paper requirements:
2 peer reviewed resources (articles or papers) (1 may be from
your annotated bibliography assignment)

10. Paper MUST address: How Information Technology (IT)
promotes getting people who are affected by policies involved
in the policy-making process. Cite specific examples.
Cited sources must directly support your paper (i.e. not
incidental references)
At least 500 words in length (but NOT longer than 1000 words)
If you are not sure how to identify peer reviewed papers or
articles, please visit the following resources
http://diy.library.oregonstate.edu/using-google-scholar-find-
peer-reviewed-articles
http://libguides.gwu.edu/education/peer-reviewed-articles