( only for ULTIMATE GEEK )
| Criteria | Level 3 5 points | Level 2 3 points | Level 1 0 points | ||
| Introduction | Broad to narrow "funnel"-like style; properly contextualizes the social problem being studied; aptly sets up the research question/thesis statement. | Lacks clarity in contextualizing the social problem being studied; does not adequately setup the research question/thesis statement. | Introduction poorly crafted, or no introduction present. | ||
| Research Question/Thesis Statement | Level 4 10 points | Level 3 7 points | Level 2 5 points | Level 1 0 points | |
| Research Question/Thesis Statement | Well developed research question in proper IV->DV form; independent and dependent variables are both social in scope. | Somewhat developed research question in proper IV->DV form; only one variable (IV or DV) is social in scope. | Research question is not in proper IV->DV form, only one variable is social in scope. | Research question/thesis statement not present or clearly distiguishable. | |
| Body | Level 4 15 points | Level 3 12 points | Level 2 9 points | Level 1 0 points | |
| Literature Review | Includes key arguments and/or theories, and critical analysis, for all relevant sources. | Includes key arguments and/or theories, and critical analysis, for some relevant sources. | Includes key arguments and/or theories, and critical analysis, for few or no relevant sources. | No literature review present. | |
| Data and Methods | Includes information about sample sizes, methods used with strengths and weaknesses, and key findings for all relevant sources. | Includes information about sample sizes, methods used with strengths and weaknesses, and key findings for some relevant sources. | Includes information about sample sizes, methods used with strengths and weaknesses, and key findings for few or no relevant sources. | No data and methods section present. | |
| Theory | Includes discussion of the three key sociological paradigms (functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist), and significant analysis of how theory relates to the social problem being studied. | Includes discussion of the three key sociological paradigms (functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist), and some analysis of how theory relates to the social problem being studied. | Includes discussion of one or two key sociological paradigms (functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist) or little to no analysis of how theory relates to the social problem being studied. | No theory section present. | |
| Conclusion | Level 3 5 points | Level 2 3 points | Level 1 0 points | ||
| Conclusion | Solid restatement of research question with concluding remarks; incorporates applications to future research; speaks to possible implications to policy. | Research question and conclusing remarks need clarification; fails to incorporate applications to future research; does not speak to possible policy implications. | Conclusion poorly constructed, or no conclusion present. | ||
| Style | Level 3 5 points | Level 2 3 points | Level 1 0 points | ||
| Grammar | Excellent grammar, one or no errors | Some grammar errors | Poor grammar throughout | ||
| Punctuation/Font/Page numbers | Correct punctuation, 12 point font, pages appropriately numbered | Minor punctuation errors, incorrect font size or choice, or lack of appropriate page numbering | Multiple punctuation errors, incorrect font size or choice, and lack of appropriate page numbering | ||
| Spelling | Excellent spelling, one or no errors | Some spelling errors | Poor spelling throughout | ||
| Citations/References | Level 4 10 points | Level 3 7 points | Level 2 5 points | Level 1 0 points | |
| In-text Citations | All in-text citations are in proper APA format. | Some in-text citations are in proper APA format. | Few or no in-text citations are in proper APA format. | No in-text citations present. | |
| References Page | Cites at least the number of sources outlined in the assignment; AND all sources cited can be considered reliable and/or trustworthy; AND all citations are formatted correctly in APA format. | Cites at least the number of sources outlined in the assignment; AND some/no sources cited can be considered reliable and/or trustworthy; OR some/no citations are formatted correctly in APA format. | Cites fewer than the number of sources outlined in the assignment; OR some/no sources cited can be considered reliable and/or trustworthy; AND some/no citations are formatted correctly in APA format. | No references page present. | |
| Overall Score | A 90 or more | B 80 or more | C 70 or more | D 60 or more | F 0 or more |
