Evaluation Criteria

Three components -- reflective essay (30 points), project (20 points), and bibliography (10 points) -- will be judged on how well student researchers demonstrate:

  • Unusual depth or broadness in the use of library resources and collections, including, but not limited to, printed resources, databases, primary resources, and materials in all media.
  • Extraordinary ability to identify, locate, select, evaluate, and synthesize library resources and to use them in the creation of a project in any medium that shows originality and/or has the potential to lead to original research in the future.
  • Demonstration of significant personal knowledge in the methods of research and inquiry.

 

The following rubrics are used to evaluate these three components of your application:

Evaluation Criteria - printable PDF

Reflective Essay - 30 Points

Developing
(1-10 points)

Competent
(11-20 points)

Accomplished
(21-30 points)

Process

  • Fails to explain or reconstruct the search process
  • Does not offer insights on how the project contributed to student's overall growth as a scholar

Process

  • Explains or reconstructs the search process in vague terms
  • Offers limited insights on how the project contributed to student's overall growth as a scholar

Process

  • Explains or reconstructs the search process with clear detail
  • Offers in-depth insights on how the project contributed to student's overall growth as a scholar

Search Strategy

  • Search strategies not described
  • Does not demonstrate ability to adjust search strategy when an obstacle is encountered
  • Does not demonstrate ability to address unmet challenges and information gaps, and/or to respond to failure
  • No evidence of use of basic search techniques
  • Lacks use of flexible and creative approaches to search language
  • Selected sources display little awareness of the need for in-depth digging for research materials throughout the research process.

Search Strategy

  • Search strategies described in vague or general terms
  • Demonstrates limited ability to adjust search strategy when an obstacle is encountered
  • Demonstrates limited ability to address unmet challenges and information gaps, and/or to respond to failure
  • Evidence of use of basic search techniques
  • Demonstrates limited use of flexible and creative approaches to search language (e.g. controlled vocabulary terms, subject headings, keywords, etc.)
  • Selected sources display some awareness of the need for in-depth digging for research materials throughout the research process.

Search Strategy

  • Search strategy explicitly described
  • Demonstrates ability to adjust search strategy when an obstacle is encountered
  • Ability to address unmet challenges and information gaps, and/or to respond to failure
  • Evidence of use of advanced search techniques
  • Demonstrates flexible and creative approach to search language (e.g. controlled vocabulary terms, subject headings, keywords, etc.)
  • Selected sources display awareness of the need for in-depth digging for research materials throughout the research process.

Resource Use

  • Does not display awareness of resources appropriate to the project (e.g. research guides, databases, monographs, media, archives, reference and consultation services, interlibrary loan, etc.)
  • Lacks criteria for evaluation of sources

Resource Use

  • Displays awareness of some resources and services appropriate to the project (e.g. research guides, databases, monographs, media, archives, reference and consultation services, interlibrary loan, etc.)
  • Criteria for evaluation of sources is incomplete or unclear (e.g. currency, relevance, accuracy, scope)

Resource Use

  • Displays awareness of resources and services appropriate to the project (e.g. research guides, databases, monographs, media, archives, reference and consultation services, interlibrary loan, etc.)
  • Displays clear criteria for evaluation of sources selected (e.g. currency, relevance, accuracy, scope)

 

Research Project - 20 Points

Developing
(1-6 points)

Competent
(7-13 points)

Accomplished
(14-20 points)
  • Writing lacks clarity; research evidence and related writing does not support or justify project argument and/or thesis.
  • Most claims or assertions are lacking sufficient in-text references/citations.
  • Poor selection and integration of quotes and acquired ideas.
  • Selected sources address a minimal (or no) range of viewpoints and perspectives  appropriate to the project.
  • Inconsistent or ineffective organization of ideas; argument is lost or obscured throughout the project.
  • Writing occasionally lacks clarity; research evidence and related writing adequately supports and justifies project argument and/or thesis.
  • Some claims or assertions lack in-text references/citations.
  • Quotes and acquired ideas are adequately selected; some misuse of quotes or lack of integration within argument.
  • Selected sources address a satisfactory range of range of viewpoints and perspectives appropriate to the project.
  • Ideas are presented and organized clearly and consistently; attempts made to maintain an argument throughout the project.
  • Well-written; research evidence and related writing clearly supports and justifies project argument and/or thesis.
  • All claims and assertions have in-text references/citations.
  • Quotes and acquired ideas well selected and integrated conceptually within argument.
  • Selected sources address a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives appropriate to the project.
  • Excellent organization of ideas; argument is maintained and supported throughout the entirety of the project.

 

Bibliography - 10 Points

Developing
(1-3 points)

Competent
(4-6 points)

Accomplished
(7-10 points)
  • Sources lack variety in appropriateness and format.
  • Cites sources, but with significant omissions and in an inconsistent way.
  • Most or all in-text citations do not have corresponding bibliography references.
  • Sources display a variety of appropriateness and format, but fall short of complete breadth and depth.
  • Cites sources, but not in a standard or consistent way
  • Most in-text citations have corresponding bibliography references.
  • Sources display a rich variety in appropriateness and format; complete breadth and depth.
  • Cites sources in a standard or consistent way.
  • Every in-text citation has a corresponding bibliography reference.