This document provides a grading rubric for a mini-concept paper assignment in a graduate business course. The rubric includes 15 criteria grouped under the headings of problem statement, conceptual/theoretical framework, research paradigm, purpose statement/significance, research questions, rationale for method/design, quality of substantiation, structure/format/tone, and APA format. Points are assigned for each criterion depending on performance levels of advanced, proficient, developing, or not present. The total possible points are 150. The mini-concept paper is intended to integrate feedback from the course and include key elements of an intro, problem statement, framework, research paradigm, purpose, significance, research questions, methodology rationale, and references in A

1. Criteria Ratings Points
Quality of
Problem
Statement
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The quality of the problem
statements were well
written, adequately
address a business
problem, and has shown
improvement from the
second iteration (if
needed).
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The quality of the problem
statements were well
written, but either do not
fully address a business
problem, or has not
improved from the second
iteration.
12 to >0.0 pts

2. Developing
The quality of the
problem statements
are lacking, do not
fully address a
business problem,
and/or has not
improved from the
second iteration.
0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Conceptual/
Theoretical
Framework
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The
conceptual/theoretical
framework is appropriate
for the study given the
purpose and the research
questions and is well
written and in alignment
with the other sections. A
framework diagram is

3. clearly presented
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The conceptual/theoretical
framework is appropriate for
the study given the purpose
and the research questions
and is well written and in
alignment with the other
sections; however,
additional insight could have
been provided. A framework
diagram is clearly
presented.
12 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The
conceptual/theoretical
framework is lacking.
A framework diagram
is not provided.
0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Chosen

4. Research
Paradigm
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The chosen research
paradigm is appropriate
for the study given the
purpose and the research
questions and is well
written and in alignment
with the other sections.
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The chosen research
paradigm is appropriate for
the study given the purpose
and the research questions;
however, additional insight
could have been provided.
12 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The chosen research
paradigm is lacking or
not presented well
and doesn’t align with
the other sections.

5. 0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Purpose
Statement &
Significance of
the Study
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The purpose statement
and significance of the
study are clearly
articulated and well
written. Both sections are
in alignment with the
other sections.
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The purpose statement and
the significance of the study
are fairly clear, but more
depth would provide
additional clarity on the
importance of the research.
12 to >0.0 pts

6. Developing
The purpose
statement and the
significance of the
study need additional
clarity to demonstrate
the importance of the
research.
0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Mini-Concept Paper Grading Rubric | BUSI710_D05_202140
Criteria Ratings Points
Research
Questions
(Hypotheses if
appropriate –
Quantitative
studies only)
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The research questions

7. are well written, are
appropriate for the
method selected, are in
alignment with the
problem and the purpose
statements, and have
improved from the
previous iteration(s).
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The research questions may
be written well, appropriate
for the method selected, and
in alignment with the
problem and purpose
statements, but are not all
three and/or could use some
additional improvement and
refinement.
12 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The research
questions need
improvement, may not
be appropriate for the
method selected, or
may not be in
alignment with the
problem and purpose
statements. Additional

8. improvement and
refinement are
needed.
0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Rationale for
Method/Design/
Method Design
Chosen
15 to >14.0 pts
Advanced
The rationale for the
method is appropriate for
the study given the
purpose and the research
questions and is well
written and in alignment
with the other sections.
Further, the rationale is
properly supported with a
minimum of 2 scholarly
resources.
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient

9. The rationale for the method
is appropriate for the study
given the purpose and the
research questions;
however, additional insight
could have been given, the
rationale is supported with
only 1 scholarly resource,
and/or there is misalignment
with the other sections.
12 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The quality of the
rationale for the
method is lacking,
there are no scholarly
resources to
substantiate the
rationale, and/or there
is misalignment with
the other sections.
0 pts
Not
Present
15 pts
Quality of
Substantiation
15 to >14.0 pts

10. Advanced
The context within the
document is properly
supported with at least 5
scholarly resources.
14 to >12.0 pts
Proficient
The context within the
document is fairly well
supported with at least 4
scholarly resources.
12 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The context within the
document is not well
supported with 3
sources or less. The
resources were not
considered scholarly
and/or the citations
were not appropriate
for the statements.
0 pts
Not
Present

11. 15 pts
Mini-Concept Paper Grading Rubric | BUSI710_D05_202140
Criteria Ratings Points
Structure:
Format & Tone
25 to >24.0 pts
Advanced
Professional vocabulary,
writing style, and tone are
used consistently
throughout the
assignment.
24 to >19.0 pts
Proficient
Professional vocabulary,
writing style, and tone are
used consistently
throughout the assignment.
19 to >0.0 pts
Developing
Several errors exist
within professional

12. writing style and tone.
0 pts
Not
Present
Not
Present
25 pts
Structure: APA
Format
20 to >19.0 pts
Advanced
Proper APA formatting is
used on the title page, the
reference page, and in
the citations throughout
the assignment, with only
1 or 2 errors.
19 to >15.0 pts
Proficient
Proper APA formatting is
used on the title page, the
reference page, and in the
citations throughout the
assignment, with only 3
errors.

13. 15 to >0.0 pts
Developing
Proper APA formatting
is used on the title
page, the reference
page, and in the
citations throughout
the assignment, with 4
or more errors.
0 pts
Not
Present
Not
Present
20 pts
Total Points: 150
Mini-Concept Paper Grading Rubric | BUSI710_D05_202140
BUSI 710
Mini-Concept Paper Assignment Instructions
Using the feedback that has been given throughout the term,
please write a mini-concept paper. The mini-concept paper is
similar to a concept paper that one would do for a
dissertation/project proposal. The paper should include the
following elements in order:

14. · Introduction
· Problem Statement
· Conceptual/Theoretical Framework & Diagram
· Research Paradigm
· Purpose Statement
· Significance of the Study
· Research questions (2-3 questions either quantitative or
qualitative)
· Hypotheses if appropriate (quantitative studies only)
· Chosen Method (Fixed, Flexible, or Mixed-Methods) with
rationale
· Chosen Design (Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed-Methods)
with rationale
· Chosen Design Method (i.e., Correlation, Case Study,
Phenomenological, etc.) with rationale
· Summary
This is a narrative assignment and should be written with the
proper APA headings and subheadings. Remember, there must
be context, so these items should not be listed merely in bullet
form. This assignment requires a title page and a reference
page, though an abstract is not required. There should be a
minimum of five sources, but will likely contain more and be
written in proper APA format. The total length of the
assignment will vary, but the average is between four and six
pages.