Research Thesis Scoring Tool

IRA Standards (2003) addressed: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 5.4

III.A2; TF -VIII .D1

ISTE Standards addressed: TF-I.B1; TF-

Thesis Weight
Abstract

x .05 =

Introduction

x .05 =

Literature Review

x .10 =

Methodology

x .30 =

Results

x .30 =

Conclusions

x .10 =

References

x .05 =

Style

x .05 =

TOTAL

Thesis Evaluation
4-3.9 = Distinguished
3.89-3

= Proficient

2.9-1.5

= Developing

1.49-1

= Unsatisfactory

For your thesis to be approved, you must score at least 3 in each category of the rubric.

1/3

Componen
4 Distinguished
t

3 Proficient

2 Developing

1 Unsatisfactory

Abstract
(.05)

Abstract clearly and

succinctly states the
purpose, describes sample,
summarizes methodology
and major findings in the
appropriate academic
discourse. Abstract is 100150 words.

Abstract clearly and

succinctly states the
purpose, describes sample,
summarizes methodology
and major findings.
Abstract is 100-150 words.

Abstract addresses all or

some of the following:
states purpose, describes
sample, summarizes
methodology and major
findings. Abstract is 100150 words.

Abstract fails to state the

purpose, describe
sample, summarize
methodology and major
findings. Or Abstract is
missing.

Introductio
n (.05)

Introduction clearly and

succinctly states in the
appropriate academic
discourse the
problem/issue, rationale,
research question and the
significance of the study.

Introduction clearly and

succinctly states the
problem/issue, rationale,
research question and the
significance of the study.

Introduction states the

problem/issue, rationale,
research question and the
significance of the study.

Introduction fails to state

the problem/issue,
rationale, research
question and the
significance of the study.

Literature
Review
(.10)

Literature review clearly

and succinctly synthesizes
relevant research on the
topic with appropriate
headings, details the
parameters of the search,
and defines key terms in
the appropriate academic
discourse. The author
consistently and accurately
follows APA guidelines.

Literature review clearly

and succinctly synthesizes
relevant research on the
topic with appropriate
headings, details the
parameters of the search,
and defines key terms. The
author consistently and
accurately follows APA
guidelines.

Literature review
synthesizes some
relevant research on the
topic with appropriate
headings, details the
parameters of the search,
and defines key terms.
The author inconsistently
and/or inaccurately
follows APA guidelines.

Literature review fails to

synthesize relevant
research on the topic
with appropriate
headings, detail the
parameters of the
search, and define key
terms. The author
inconsistently and/or
inaccurately follows APA
guidelines.

Methodolo
gy (.30)

The Methodology section

clearly and succinctly
describes types of
methodology used,
characteristics of the
participants and context,
sampling procedures,
methods of inquiry, data
collection processes, data
analysis processes and
limitations in the
appropriate academic
discourse. Relevant
citations accurately follow
APA Guidelines.

The Methodology section

clearly and succinctly
describes types of
methodology used,
characteristics of the
participants and context,
sampling procedures,
methods of inquiry, data
collection processes, data
analysis processes and
limitations. Relevant
citations accurately follow
APA Guidelines.

The Methodology section

describes some of the
following: types of
methodology used,
characteristics of the
participants and context,
sampling procedures,
methods of inquiry, data
collection processes, data
analysis processes and
limitations. Relevant
citations accurately follow
APA Guidelines.

The Methodology section

fails to describe types of
methodology used,
characteristics of the
participants and context,
sampling procedures,
methods of inquiry, data
collection processes,
data analysis processes
and limitations.
Relevant citations do not
follow APA Guidelines.

Results
(.30)

The Results section clearly

and succinctly states
findings or results which are
substantiated by collected
evidence in the appropriate
academic discourse.
Relevant tables and/or
figures accurately follow
APA Guidelines.

The Results section clearly

and succinctly states
findings or results which
are substantiated by
collected evidence.
Relevant tables and/or
figures accurately follow
APA Guidelines.

The Results section states

findings or results which
are substantiated by
collected evidence.
Tables and/or figures do
not follow APA Guidelines.

The Results section fails

to state findings or
results which are
substantiated by
collected evidence.
Tables and/or figures do
not follow APA
Guidelines.

Conclusio
ns (.10)

The Conclusions section

includes statements that
are substantiated by
collected evidence and
makes relevant
recommendations for
practice in the appropriate
academic discourse.

The Conclusions section

includes statements that
are substantiated by
collected evidence and
makes relevant
recommendations for
practice.

The Conclusions section

includes statements that
are substantiated by
collected evidence and
makes relevant
recommendations for
practice.

The Conclusions section

fails to include
statements that are
substantiated by
collected evidence and
make relevant
recommendations for
practice.

2/3

Reference
s (.05)

The Reference List is

complete and accurate.

The Reference List is

complete and accurate
(with fewer than 3 surface
errors).

The Reference List is

The Reference List is
incomplete or inaccurate. incomplete and
inaccurate.

Style
(.05)

Overall , the thesis uses a

professional writing style
and completely follows the
specifications of the
assignment. The title page
adheres to APA Guidelines.

Overall, the thesis uses an

appropriate writing style for
a formal setting and
completely follows the
specifications of the
assignment. The title page
adheres to APA Guidelines.

Overall, the thesis

inconsistently uses an
appropriate writing style
for a formal setting and
somewhat follows the
specifications of the
assignment. The title
page adheres to APA
Guidelines.

3/3

Overall, the thesis uses

an inappropriate writing
style for a formal setting,
and does not follow the
specifications of the
assignment. The title
page fails to adhere to
APA Guidelines.