Title Page & Preliminaries (20%) SCORE

Clear, concise, appropriate description of research

29 15 10 5
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete
Title part includes Title page is missing Title page is missing Title page is missing
student's names, Title one of the following: two of the following: several components
is centered mid-page, names, Title is student's names, Title and is difficult to
inverted triangle and centered mid-page, is centered mid-page, understand.
concisely addresses and in inverted and in inverted
project topic. triangle. Title triangle. Title
addresses project somewhat addresses
topic. project topic.
Background Research (30%)
 Detailed of background research on the topic with a minimum of ten sources. This should point toward the
relevance of your project - why is the project important to your group, school, and community?
30 25 20 10  
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete
Student introduces Student introduces Student introduces Student is missing two
specific, testable topic specific, testable specific, testable topic or more of the
question, provides topic question, question, but provides following: topic
background provides background little background question, background
information on STEM information on some information on STEM information, why
concepts related to the STEM concepts, concepts related to student is interested in
question, and explains explains why the question. Does the topic.
why student is student is interested not explain why
interested in the topic. in the topic. student is interested
in the topic.
Introduction (30%)
Briefly describe the goal and purpose of the project. Clearly state the relevance of your project, and state your
HYPOTHESIS (for all scientific studies)
30 25 20 10  
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete  
The student clearly Student makes The student makes The student does not
links background connections between connections between make connections
research, the goal of background background research, between background
the project, and research, goal, and goal, and relevance of research, goal, and
relevance. relevance of project, project, but one or relevance.
HYPOTHESIS/GOAL is but one or more of more of these HYPOTHESIS/GOAL is
clearly stated. these connections connections are not not present.
are moderately clear. clear.
HYPOTHESIS/GOAL HYPOTHESIS/GOAL
is clearly stated. is not clearly stated.
 Literature Review (30%)
Documents the state of the art with respect to the subject or topic you are writing about
30 25 20 10  
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete  
Comprehensive Complete literature Partially complete and Incomplete or
literature review. review with sound somewhat disorganized. Includes
Includes current and organization. disorganized. Includes an inappropriate
landmark literature Includes very few few non-refereed number of nonrefereed
highly relevant to the nonrefereed sources sources. Establishes a sources. Fails to
topic. Establishes an and provides current basic theoretical establish an
advanced theoretical research relevant to framework (including appropriate theoretical
framework (including the field and the motivational theories) framework (including
motivational theories) topic. Establishes a for the research topic. motivational theories)
for the research topic. sound and proficient Demonstrates a basic for the research topic.
appropriate for theoretical understanding of Fails to site
publication or framework appropriate citation appropriately. Not
presentation. (including format, but requires appropriate for
Information was motivational significant revision. publication or
expertly synthesized theories) for the Most information is presentation.
and brought to a research topic. well synthesized and Information was not
coherent and logical Somewhat brought to a logical well synthesized and
conclusion. appropriate for conclusion, although some conclusions were
publication or some parts show not logically arrived at.
presentation. signs of faltering logic.
Information is well
synthesized and
brought to a logical
conclusion.
 Methods (30%)
Include Materials and Procedures used to conduct your research.
30 25 20 10  
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete  
MATERIALS: MATERIALS: MATERIALS: The student did not list
ALL required materials The student The student included all necessary items or
are listed. included all items most items required. use appropriate
PROCEDURE: required. PROCEDURE: materials. Steps are
Steps are PROCEDURE: The steps are logical, not detailed or logical,
ordered/numbered, Steps are numbered, but somewhat and/or missing. It
logical, and thorough logical, and confusing. would be extremely
enough to be repeated thorough, but one or difficult to follow or
without question or more steps are duplicate this
confusion. missing or experiment.
confusing.
 Works Cited (10%)
List all books, publications, and communications from which significant material was used during your research.
Use Chicago Manual of Style format. Any factual information presented that is not your original work MUST have
sources cited. If not, you are plagiarizing!
10 8 5 3
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete
All sources are All sources are Most sources are Only 5 or Sources
correctly cited in correctly cited in correctly cited in missing and/or
Chicago MoS format. Chicago MoS format. Chicago MoS format. incorrectly cited.
Includes at least 20 Includes at least 16 Includes at least 10
different sources. No different sources. No different sources. No
plagiarism! plagiarism! plagiarism!
Appendices (50%)
50 30 20 10
Excellent Good Poor Incomplete
All components are Missing 2 Missing 3 to 5 Missing 6 or more
complete components components components
 Letter of Permission
 Human Informed
Consent
 Questionnaire/
Evaluation Form or
Sheet
 Daily Logs
 Accomplishment
Report
 Gantt Chart
 Plan for
Dissemination and
Advocacy
 Budget Allocation
 Curriculum VItae