Failure: Up to, and Including, 3 Points * Research includes no reference sources. * There is little or no evidence that the student has read external literature in developing the paper. * Ideas are obscure and lack good grammar, proper style, and/or appropriate citations. * The paper is not formatted according to APA-style or there is a limited attempt to format according to APA-style. Any plagiarism detected in an individual paper falls under this category even if other attributes would have earned the paper a higher score under this rubric.

Fair: 4 - 6 Points * Research includes no relevant reference sources from the UMUC Library or other outside sources. Some relevant sources from the course materials are cited. * Student does not link the individual assignment to content described in the course materials. * There is little evidence that the student has read external sources in developing the paper. * Ideas expressed in only a fair manner using poor grammar, improper style, and inaccurate APA citations. * Student makes use of appropriate and relevant charts, tables, or diagrams to reinforce the student’s research or ideas, but such graphics do dominate the individual assignment. * The length of the individual assignment substantially deviates from the required page length range. APA-style requirements for formatting the structure of the individual assignment, such as a cover page, abstract, and references are not calculated as a part of the length of the individual assignment (either page length or word count). * The individual assignment is formatted according to APA-style, but with many obvious deviations.

g * The length of the individual assignment materially deviates from the required page length or word count range of the individual assignment. APA-style requirements for formatting the structure of the individual assignment, such as a cover page, abstract, and references are not calculated as a part of the length of the individual assignment (either page length or word count). * The individual assignment is formatted according to APA-style, but with frequent, obvious deviations

Good: 7 – 9 Points * Research includes at least one relevant reference source from the UMUC Library or other outside sources. One relevant source from the course materials are also cited. * Student links the individual assignment to content described in the course materials. * The paper provides evidence that the student has read and considered one or two literature sources in developing the paper. * Ideas expressed in a clear and coherent manner using good grammar, proper APA style, and appropriate citations. * Student makes use of appropriate and relevant charts, tables, or diagrams to reinforce the student’s research or ideas, but such graphics do not dominate the individual assignment

* The length of the paper does not materially deviate from the required page length or word count range of the individual assignment. APA-style requirements for formatting the structure of the individual assignment, such as a cover page, abstract, and references are not calculated as a part of the length of the individual assignment (either page length or word count). * The individual assignment is formatted according to APA-style, but with a few obvious deviations.

Very Good: 10 - 12 Points * Research includes at least two relevant reference sources from the UMUC Library or other outside sources. Two relevant sources from the course materials are also cited. * Student links the individual assignment to content described in the course materials. * The individual assignment provides evidence that the student has read and considered several sources in developing the paper. * Ideas are expressed in a clear and coherent manner using good grammar, proper APA style, and appropriate citations. * Student makes use of appropriate and relevant charts, tables, or diagrams to reinforce the student’s research or ideas, but such graphics do not dominate the individual assignment

g * The length of the paper does not deviate from the required page length or word count range of the individual assignment. APA-style requirements for formatting the structure of the individual assignment, such as a cover page, abstract, and references are not calculated as a part of the length of the individual assignment. * The individual assignment is formatted according to APA-style— including cover, citations, references, etc. with a few minor deviations.

Excellent: 13 - 15 Points * Research includes at least three relevant reference sources from the UMUC Library or other outside sources. Three relevant sources from the course materials are also cited. * Student links the individual assignment to content described in the course materials.* The individual assignment provides evidence that the student has read and considered a substantial number of sources in writing the individual paper. * Ideas are expressed in a clear and coherent manner using good grammar, proper APA style, and appropriate citations. * Student makes use of appropriate and relevant charts, tables, or diagrams to reinforce the student’s research or ideas, but such graphics do not dominate the individual assignment

Individual Assignment Grading Rubric Each individual paper must be uploaded to the applicable Assignment Folder on or before the due date indicated in the Classroom to avoid a late individual assignment penalty of five (5) points. The total points for each individual paper is 15 points. Levels of performance will be assessed as excellent, very good, good, fair, or failure. For informational purposes, the following descriptions of the levels include attributes considered when assessing performance. Note, however, that any unresolved instance of plagiarism is grounds for an automatic “0” score for that paper.