(ED 693) Master’s Project
Common Course Assessment: Research Project
(ED 693) Master’s Project
Common Course Assessment: Research Project
Course Outcomes:
NBPTS Proposition 4: Systematic Thinking about Practice and Experience - Draw on
research and scholarship to improve practice
NBPTS Proposition 5: Members of Learning Communities - Collaborate with other
professionals
College of Education Research Standards: Research Competency
1. Research Question. Identify the research question and situate it within the
educational context
2. Literature Review. Analyze the literature to demonstrate need and rationale for this
research
3. Research Description. Design the research method, provide rationale, discuss results
and conclusions
4. Research Presentation. Present all work according to standard written expression,
organization and APA research guidelines
Directions to the Student:
Design and present a research project that will apply existing knowledge to an educational
problem.
Rubrics for Project:
1. RESEARCH QUESTION
Elements
Distinguished
(3)
Proficient
(2)
Progressing
(1)
Unsatisfactory
(0)
Knowledge of
problem
Shows thorough
knowledge of
problem and
educational
context
Shows adequate
knowledge of
problem and
educational
context
Shows limited
knowledge of
the problem and
educational
context
Does not
meet standard
Importance of
problem and
rationale
Reasoning is
excellent.
Findings would
make an
important
contribution to
knowledge or
practice
Reasoning is
adequate.
Findings would
contribute to
knowledge or
practice
Reasoning is
basic. Findings
would make a
limited
contribution to
knowledge or
practice
Does not
meet standard
Statement of
purpose
Contains clear,
logical statement
Contains adequate
statement of
Statement of
purpose is
Does not
meet standard
of purpose
purpose
unclear
Knowledge of
background
Shows thorough
knowledge of
background
Shows adequate
knowledge of
background
Shows limited
knowledge of
background
Does not
meet standard
Key terms and
limitations
Defines terms
appropriately.
Addresses
limitations
thoroughly.
Defines terms and
addresses
limitations
adequately
Over- or underdefines terms.
Does not
address
limitations
thoroughly
Does not
meet standard
Distinguished
Proficient
Progressing
Unsatisfactory
(3)
(2)
(1)
(0)
Synthesis of
the research
Thoroughly
synthesizes
research and
explains its direct
relevance to the
research question
Generally
summarizes
research and/or
states only its
general relevance
to the research
question
Cites limited
research and/or
shows only loose
relevance to the
research question
Does not
meet standard
Analysis of key
work
Analysis shows
that the writer is
in command of
key research in
the field.
Analysis shows
that the writer
has basic
knowledge of key
work in the field
Analysis is limited
in demonstrating
knowledge of key
work in the field
Does not
meet standard
Development
of argument
Development of
the argument
flows directly and
reasonably from
the research
Development of
the argument
flows only
generally from
the research
Development of
the argument is
only loosely
related to the
research
Does not
meet standard
Gaps in the
literature
Thoroughly
identifies gaps in
the literature and
clearly shows
how this study
would fill them
Generally
identifies gaps in
the literature and
how this study
would fill them
Gaps in the
literature are
poorly identified
and/or
explanation does
not show how
this study would
fill them
Does not
meet standard
Theoretical
perspective
driving the
project
Thoroughly and
accurately
explains
theoretical stance
States theoretical
stance
Explanation of
theoretical stance
is limited or
inaccurate
Does not
meet standard
Distinguished
Proficient
Progressing
(3)
(2)
(1)
2.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Elements
3. RESEARCH DESCRIPTION
Elements
Unsatisfactory
(0)
Project as
potential
solution to the
problem.
Project
background,
components,
rationale
Thoroughly
describes project
background and
how it provides a
potential solution.
Thoroughly
explains project
components and
gives a well
supported
rationale for
each.
Adequately
describes project
background and
how it provides a
potential solution.
States project
components and
gives a rationale
for each.
Description of
project
background,
potential solution,
components or
rationale is
limited.
Does not meet
standard.
Evaluation
criteria,
potential
findings,
conclusion,
implications
Provides
thorough
explanation of
evaluation criteria
and rationale.
Analyzes findings
(actual or
projected).
Draws reasonable
conclusions and
implications.
Provides
adequate
explanation of
evaluation criteria
and rationale.
States findings
(actual or
projected).
States
conclusions and
implications.
Provides limited
explanation of
evaluation
criteria, rationale,
findings (actual
or projected),
conclusions and
implications.
Does not meet
standard.
Dissemination
plans
Dissemination
plans and
usefulness are
explained
thoroughly.
Dissemination
plans and
usefulness are
explained
adequately.
Explanation of
dissemination
plans and
usefulness is
limited.
Does not meet
standard.
4. RESEARCH PRESENTATION
Elements
Distinguished
Proficient
Progressing
Unsatisfactory
(3)
(2)
(1)
(0)
Written
Expression and
Organization
Writing conforms
well to
professional
expectations.
Organization
within sections is
clear. Contains no
more than 5
errors
Writing conforms
adequately to
expectations.
Organization
within sections is
generally clear.
Contains no more
than 10 errors
Writing and
organization
conform poorly to
expectations.
Contains more
than 10 errors
Does not
meet standard
Section
Formats
Chapters, title
page, contents,
appendices, etc.
conform to APA
guidelines.
Contains no more
than 5 errors
Format for
individual
sections usually
conforms to APA
guidelines.
Contains no more
than 10 errors
Format for
individual
sections conforms
poorly to APA
guidelines.
Contains more
than 10 errors
Does not
meet standard
Text Citations
Text citations are
present, used
Text citations are
usually present,
Text citations are
missing or overly
Does not
meet standard
appropriately,
and conform to
APA guidelines.
Contains no more
than 5 errors
used
appropriately and
conform to APA
guidelines.
Contains no more
than 10 errors
extensive and
conform poorly to
APA guidelines.
Contains more
than 10 errors
References
Reference list
meets
requirements,
matches text
citations, and
conforms to APA
guidelines.
Contains no more
than 5 errors
Reference list
usually meets
requirements,
matches text
citations, and
conforms to APA
guidelines.
Contains no more
than 10 errors
Reference list
conforms poorly
to requirements,
or does not
match text
citations, or does
not conform to
APA guidelines.
Contains more
than 10 errors
Does not
meet standard
Abstract
Abstract contains
a clear and
accurate
description of the
project
Abstract contains
a general
description of the
project
Abstract is limited
or contains too
much information
Does not
meet standard