Research II SR 744

Grading Criteria for Papers

Paper 1 40 possible points

Note: You will NOT be performing any statistical tests or analyses for paper 1, it is a descriptive paper in which you will be describing your sample.

Working Title that clearly reflects focus of your study to the reader.

Possible points: 1Your points: ______

Introduction Section: Offers a strong coherent statement on the central focus of the study- both the targeted risky or positive health behavior area and the population of interest (e.g., all U.S. high school students, U.S. female high school students, U.S. high school seniors). Provides a thoughtful rationale for why this is an important area of investigation, including the use of citations/evidence from the literature to support statements.

Possible points: 2Your Points: ______

Literature Review Section: Presents a critical review and analysis of the existing literature in this field, including a thoughtful synthesis of the overall nature and quality of research in this field as reflected in your 5 articles.

Possible points: 6Your points: _____

Research Hypotheses Section: Strong articulation of five related testable hypotheses from the YRBS dataset, with the correct identification of independent and dependent variables and their level of measurement.

Possible points: 8Your points: ______

Methods Section: Offers a clear basic description of the YRBS methodology to allow reader to better understand the data source.

Possible points: 2Your points: ______

Sample Characteristics Section – Narrative text: Offers a detailed, coherent narrative description of the characteristics of the sample on the demographic and health behavior variables, including the appropriate use of descriptive statistics based on the variables’ level of measurement. Appropriately refers reader to tables and figures to illustrate points.

Possible points: 6Your points: ______

Sample Characteristics Section – Table(s): Constructs “publication-quality” tables that are “user friendly” by providing headings and labels that are easily understood, including the appropriate use of descriptive statistics based on the variables’ level of measurement.

Possible points: 4Your points: ______

Sample Characteristics – Figures: Creates two “user friendly,” well-labeled figures, using appropriate graphs based on variables’ level of measurement.

Possible points: 3Your points: ______

Important elements that are factored into the paper as a whole:

  1. In addition to the elements listed your paper will be assessed for overall quality and clarity, that is, the paper is very well-written; very well organized, formatted, and free of errors; is clear, concise, and demonstrates critical thinking; demonstrates solid understanding; the ideas are arranged logically, clearly linked, and flow smoothly from one to another, and has an introduction and a conclusion.
  2. APA format for reference list and in-text citations
  3. Appendix, attach all required materials: SPSS output and references in APA format.
  4. Effort reflected in the paper

Possible points: 8Your points: ______

Total possible points: 40 Your Total Points: ______= Grade: ______

Paper 240 possible points

Data Analysis Section: Makes appropriate choices for the statistical tests of the 5 hypotheses and offers a clear, correct rationale for the specific test choice(s). Clearly articulates the alpha level/statistical criterion for rejection of the null hypotheses.

Possible points: 7Your Points: ______

Results Section—Narrative Text: Correctly reports the outcome of the statistical test of the five statistical tests, including whether their tentative conclusions (alternative hypotheses) were supported by the data. Appropriately provides statistical data to support their conclusions (i.e., test statistic, df, and p-values) as well as offers relevant descriptive data to further explain the nature of the relationship (or lack of relationship) (e.g., means, percentages) to the reader. Addresses what methodological factors should be taken into account when interpreting the study’s findings. More than one type of statistical test was used.

Possible points: 8Your points: _____

Results Section – Tables: Produces “publication-quality” inferential statistics tables reporting out the results of the five hypotheses, including appropriate labeling to make tables “user-friendly.”

Possible points: 7Your points: ______

Discussion Section: Offers a thoughtful analysis of how your study’s findings compare to the findings of the 5 reviewed articles. Offers an insightful perspective of possible practice or policy implications emerging from your study’s findings as well as the other literature in this field.

Possible points: 5Your points: ______

Future Research Directions Section: Provides a thoughtful discussion of the needed “next important study,” including articulating a core research question and methodology to study the posed question.

Possible points: 5 Your points: ______

Important elements that are factored into the paper as a whole:

  1. In addition to the elements listed your paper will be assessed for overall quality and clarity, that is, the paper is very well-written; very well organized, formatted, and free of errors; is clear, concise, and demonstrates critical thinking; demonstrates solid understanding; the ideas are arranged logically, clearly linked, and flow smoothly from one to another, and has an introduction and conclusion.
  2. APA format for reference list and in-text citations
  3. Appendix, attach all required materials: SPSS output and references in APA format.
  4. Effort reflected in the paper

Possible points: 8Your points: ______

Total possible points: 40 Your Paper II Points: ______= Grade: ______

Course Points—100 possible points

Paper 1 Points _____ (40 possible) + Paper 2 Points _____ (40 possible) + SPSS Assignment Points ____ (10 possible) + Participation Points ______(10 possible)

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