Journal Rubric (**Additional points may be deducted if directions are not followed.)
| Journal Paper | Citation | Rationale | Method | Results | Discussion |
| 6 points | Uses correct APA format in document and citation. | Previous research organized by writer to logically explain current purpose for study. | Writer provides extensive details of subjects, instruments, and other testing procedures. It might be possible to replicate experiment with the detail provided. | Results clearly summarized using appropriate terminology and description. | Clearly describes relevance of research to the field of study in understandable language. Provides overview of main points. |
| 5 points | No more than 2 APA errors in entire paper. | Research summarized, but writer does not clearly organize information or illuminate purpose. | Writer provides sufficient details, but does not provide extensive clarity. | Some results offered in clear explanation, but writer omits other results from summary. | Discussion section highlighted with basic overview, but writing does not reflect understanding. |
| 4 points | No more than 4 APA errors in entire paper. | Research mentioned, but the rationale does not seem clear or connected to current research. | Details missing to clearly provide explanation to reader regarding subjects, instruments, and procedures. | Writer omits many of the results and focuses on conclusions of research mentioned in abstract only. | Conclusions offered, but writer offers little insight into the significance of the work. |
| 3 points | No more than 6 APA errors in entire paper. | Prior research mentioned, but does not seem relevant to paper as written. | Missing detail dominates section and leaves evaluator with little direction regarding experiment. | Results are disorganized and insufficiently described. It could be that the reader chose research with a results section beyond the student's current capabilities. | Writer offers undeveloped overview of significant conclusions. |
| 2 points | No more than 8 APA errors in entire paper. | Mis-understanding of rationale for research with a focus on hypotheses instead of prior research leading to current research. | Very undeveloped methods section. Brief, identifying information included, but student does not seem to grasp purpose for the inclusion of methods in section. | Summary material offered without sufficient explanation | Writer provides minimal content to summarize research. Discussion section dominated by writer's opinion instead of a focus on the research process and findings. |
| 1 point | No more than 10 APA errors in entire paper. | A listing of hypotheses only. | Insufficient explanation offered regarding the methods in the research. | Brief overview of results, but no real depth provided. | Writer focuses on personal opinions, and does not seem to include information from the article in the writing. |