Scoring Rubric:

Criteria	Score
	Exceeding (4)	Meeting (3)	Developing (2)	Not meeting (1)
Identifying a research problem	Problem statement is clear, complete, and significant.	Problem statement is focused and clear. However, the significance of the problem is not justified well.	Problem statement is implicit but not clearly written and it is or insignificant.	Problem statement is vague, insignificant or overly broad.
	The research idea is original.	The research idea is not original. However, the replication is well justified.	The research idea is not original. And it is not clear why a replication is needed.	It is basically replication of earlier studies without any justification.
	The purpose, theoretical basis, and significance of the study are discussed very clearly.	The purpose, theoretical basis, and significance of the study are discussed but not enough.	Only the purpose and significance of the study are discussed but the theoretical foundation is not.	The purpose, theoretical basis, and significance of the study are not discussed.
	The research idea has a theoretical foundation or it is based on lack of research, flaws, gaps, or disagreement in earlier studies. The significance or the need for research is strongly supported.	The research idea has theoretical foundation or is based on lack of research, flaws, gaps, or disagreement in earlier studies. However, the significance or the need for research is not strongly supported.	It is not clear if the research idea has theoretical foundation or is based on lack of research, flaws, gaps, or disagreement in earlier studies. The significance or the need for research is not supported.	The need for the research or the importance of the research is not justified.
Reviewing the literature	Uses at least 5 empirical sources to support, extend, and inform. The selected articles closely match the research problem.	Uses at least 5 empirical sources to support, extend, and inform. However, the selected articles do not closely match the research problem.	The reviewed articles are not empirical and don’t match the research problem.	The reviewed articles are not empirical and limited in number and not related to the research problem.
	It is clear what we already know and what we still need to know.	It is clear what we already know but it is not clear what we still need to know or what is missing in earlier studies.	The literature review is fragmented and articles are unrelated.	The literature review is short, fragmented and articles are unrelated. Important sources are neglected.
	The guideline for writing the literature review is thoroughly followed.	The guideline for writing the literature review is followed to some extent.	The guideline for writing the literature review is not followed.	The guideline for writing the literature review is violated in several ways.
Specifying a purpose and research questions	Purpose and research questions are clear and feasible; closely match the research problem	Purpose and research questions are clear. However, the goal of research does not closely match the research problem.	Purpose and research questions are not clear. The goal of research does not match the research problem.	There is not a specific goal for the research.
	Clearly explains how the proposed study addresses gaps	Explains how the proposed study addresses gaps.	Tries to explain how the proposed study addresses gaps.	Does not explain how the proposed study addresses gaps.
	Research questions and hypothesis are clearly stated, significant, researchable, and grounded in existing theory and research.	Research questions and hypothesis are clearly stated. However, it is not significant, or it is not researchable, or it is not grounded in existing theory and research.	Research questions and hypothesis are not clearly stated.	There is no hypothesis or specific research questions.
	Limitations and implications of proposed research are well discussed.	Limitations and implications of proposed research are discussed.	Implications of proposed research not discussed but the limitations are not mentioned.	Neither the limitations nor the implications of proposed research are mentioned.
Identifying a design	A true experimental or a factorial design is used.	A quasi experimental research or time series is used.	A correlational or no- experimental research is used.	A descriptive design is used.
	Methodology is very appropriate and clearly justified.	Methodology is not quite appropriate but it is justified.	Methodology is not quite appropriate and it is not justified.	Methodology is not appropriate and it is not justified.
	Explains in details what will be done (step by step). Groups and treatments are clearly explained in details.	To a large extent explains what will be done. Groups and treatments are explained to a large extent.	To some extent explains what will be done. Groups and treatments are explained to some extent.	The procedure is not explained. Groups and treatments are not clear.
Specifying subjects/participants	Population, settings, subjects/participants are described in detail.	Population, settings, subjects/participants are described but not in detail.	Subjects/participants are described but not in detail.	Neither the population- settings nor the subjects-participants are described.
	Sampling methods and group assignments are clearly explained and justified.	Sampling methods and group assignments are explained and justified to some extent.	Sampling methods and group assignments are explained to some extent but not justified.	Sampling methods and group assignments are neither explained nor justified.
Identifying data collection methods	All variables and procedures are operationally defined.	Some variables and procedures are operationally defined.	Variables are operationally defined but the procedures are not.	Neither the variables nor the procedures are operationally defined.
	The tools used to collect data are explained in details. A complete list of survey or test items is included.	The tools used to collect data are explained but not in details. A complete list of survey or test items is included.	The tools used to collect data are explained very briefly. A few sample questions of survey or test items are included.	The tools used to collect data are not explained. No sample question of survey or test items is included.
	The items (questions) of the tool are well justified.	The items of the tool are justified to a large extent.	The items of the tool are justified to some extent.	The items on the tool are not justified.
	Reliability and validity, and earlier applications of the tools are reported or there is a plan to assess the tools.	Information about the validity and reliability is not enough or convincing.	Information about the validity and reliability is not provided but attempted to find some.	Information about the validity and reliability is not provided. No attempt is mentioned.
Identifying data analysis plan	Data analysis plan is appropriate and answers the research questions. The statistical analysis is justified and is compared with similar methods.	Data analysis plan is appropriate and answers the research questions but it is not justified against other options.	Data analysis plan is not appropriate and may not help in answering the research questions. The method used is not justified.	Data analysis is not clear, or does not exist.
	Advanced statistical analysis is used and post hoc analysis, effect size, and levels of significant are discussed.	Simple statistical analysis is used and post hoc analysis, effect size, and levels of significant are not discussed.	Simple statistical analysis is used and post hoc analysis, effect size, and levels of significant are not discussed.	Data analysis is not clear, or does not exist.
	Expected results are discussed and justified.	Expected results are discussed but not justified.	Expected results are not discussed or justified.	Expected results are not discussed or justified.
	All variables, including dependent, independent, confounding, and control variables are identified.	Some variables, including dependent, independent, confounding, and control variables are identified.	Variables, including dependent, independent, confounding, and control variables are not identified.	Data analysis is not clear, or does not exist.
Writing	Writing is clear, nearly perfect mechanics, and follows APA format	Writing is generally clear, acceptable use of mechanics, and follows APA format	Writing shows average composition skills and competence in the use of mechanics	Writing is unclear and mechanics are excessively flawed