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Appendix A: TE Doctoral Rubric

**Depth and Integration of Knowledge**
Proficient	Satisfactory	Weak	Unacceptable
Exhibits an in-depth understanding of the subject/course matter, pertinent literature, and the relationships among material obtained from all cited sources. Arguments are fully developed and supported by relevant evidence and sources. Demonstrates in-depth understanding of theoretical concepts and their relationships. Displays adequate analysis and critique of relevant research literature. All points are addressed individually and linked appropriately. Displays advanced synthesis of the literature by appropriately interconnecting and extending key ideas from all sources,	Exhibits understanding of subject/course matter, pertinent literature, and the relationship among material obtained from all cited sources. Arguments are mostly well-developed and supported by relevant evidence and sources. Demonstrates adequate understanding of theoretical concepts. Displays some analysis and critique of relevant research literature. Most points are addressed individually and sufficiently linked. Displays adequate synthesis of the literature by mostly interconnecting key ideas from all sources	Exhibits a limited understanding of subject/course matter, pertinent literature, and the relationship among material obtained from all cited sources. Arguments are underdeveloped and/or supported by minimal evidence and sources. Demonstrates minimal understanding of theoretical concepts. Displays limited analysis and critique of relevant research literature. Few points are addressed individually or they are insufficiently linked. Displays limited synthesis of the literature by summarizing the content and ineffectively interconnecting key ideas from sources	Exhibits critical weakness in understanding of subject/course matter, pertinent literature, and the relationship among material obtained from all cited sources. Arguments are weak, inconsistent, or unconvincing. Demonstrates critical errors in the understanding of theoretical concepts. Displays no analysis of relevant research literature. Points are not addressed individually and are The paper not linked. Displays no synthesis of the literature by summarizing content without interconnecting key ideas.

**Sources & APA Format**
Proficient	Satisfactory	Weak	Unacceptable
Excellent use of APA format. Appropriate sources are used. Documentation is excellent with all data and direct quotes obtained from other sources properly cited in-text and in the reference list. Demonstrates appropriate originality. No plagiarism.	Adequate use of APA format. Mostly appropriate sources are used. Documentation is strong with most data and direct quotes obtained from other sources properly cited in-text and in the reference list. Demonstrates acceptable originality. No plagiarism.	Inadequate use of APA format. Few appropriate sources are used. Documentation is inconsistent or most data and direct quotes obtained from other sources are not properly cited. Demonstrates acceptable originality. Possible plagiarism.	Unacceptable use of APA format. Inappropriate sources are used. In-text citations and reference lists contain many errors. Documentation is lacking and citations are absent. Demonstrates unacceptable originality. Has plagiarized from other sources.

**Structure & Organization**
Proficient	Satisfactory	Weak	Unacceptable
Structure and organization are strong. The introduction & conclusion are effective. The paragraphs are well-developed. Paragraphs have strong topic sentences. Development is logical and clear to the reader. Paper flows from one issue to the next. The use of transitions and headings is appropriate.	Structure and organization are adequate. The Introduction and conclusion are competent. Paragraphs are developed competently but maybe occasionally underdeveloped. Topic sentences are generally good. Development is logical and clear to the reader. Paper flows with only minor disjointedness. Use of transitions and headings is mostly appropriate.	Structure and organization are flawed. The introduction or conclusion is missing. Paragraphs are underdeveloped or are developed inadequately or inconsistently. Topic sentences are missing or are present but ineffective. Development is flawed or unclear to the reader (reasoning isn’t sound). The paper flow is disjointed. Headings are used as primary means of linking concepts.	Structure and organization are ineffective. The introduction and conclusion are missing. Paragraphs are undeveloped. Topic sentences are missing. Development is missing or otherwise unacceptable. The paper does not flow and appears to be created from disparate issues. Headings and transitions are absent.

**Writing Style, Grammar, and Mechanics**
Proficient	Satisfactory	Weak	Unacceptable
Sentences are consistently clear, concise, and direct. The tone is appropriately formal/informal. Writing is strong with no errors in grammar & mechanics present.	Sentences are generally clear, concise, and direct. The tone is mostly appropriately formal/informal. The writing is clear. Errors in grammar & mechanics do not impair meaning (2 errors per page)	Sentences are generally wordy and/or ambiguous. The tone is inconsistent. The writing is somewhat clear. Errors in grammar & mechanics impair meaning (3-5 errors per page)	Sentences are unclear enough to impair meaning. The tone is inappropriate. The writing is unclear.Errors in grammar & mechanics severely impact meaning (at least 6 errors per page).