Research Paper Guidelines
- A title page (APA format) must be included.
- Must be typed, double-spaced pages (Times New Roman Font, size 10 or 12). A typical paper would be 10 pages in length, not counting the title, abstract, and reference pages.
- Number-letter outline format must be utilized.
- The paper should include the following:
- Title page
- Outline
- Abstract
- Introduction (Literature Review)
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
- Standard 1” margins on all borders must be maintained.
- All information must be referenced using APA format.
- A minimum of eight peer-reviewed journal references is required.
- APA reference format must be used.
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Multiplier | Total Possible |
| Introduction | The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper. | The introduction clearly states the main topic but only partially previews the structure of the paper. | The introduction states the main topic, but does not preview the structure of the paper. | There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Paragraph Construction | All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. | Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. | Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well. | Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Sequencing | Details are placed in a logical order and correspond to the structure presented in the introduction. | Details are sometimes logically placed, but do not correspond to the structure presented in the introduction. | Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader. | Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Transitions | A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected. | Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety. | Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy. | The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistent. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Supportive Research | Supporting research studies and/or reports are research-based and accurately reported. | Supporting research studies and/or reports are not accurately reported. | Research studies and/or reports do not support the discussion. | Research studies and/or reports are limited and/or inaccurately reported. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Quality of Information | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. | Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. | X 5 | 20 |
| Conclusion/ Recommendations | The conclusion effectively summarizes the discussion and provides at least two recommendations for further research. | The conclusion summarizes the paper but provides only one recommendation for further research. | The conclusion partially summarizes the discussion, but provides no recommendations. | The conclusion is poorly constructed. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Sources Citations References | All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in APA. | One source is not documented in APA format. | Two sources are not documented in APA format. | More than two sources are not documented in APA format. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Mechanics | No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. | One grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. | Two grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. | More than two grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. | X 2.5 | 10 |
| Timeliness | On time. All late submissions have a 10 point (10%) deduction. | -10 weekly late deduction | 10 | |||
| Total 100 | 100% | 100% |