FINAL PAPER GRADING RUBRIC FOR
SOCIAL PROBLEMS: Soc. 112
Spring 2000


Introduction: Is the topic and the reason for its selection clearly expressed? Is the thesis accurately presented? 1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Literature Review: Is there a smooth flow between the introduction and the literature review? Does the paper meet the minimum citations? Is the literature review clearly document how extensive the particular problem is and its' main causes? Does it suggest some preliminary ideas for change? Is the thesis tied to the material in this section? 1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Methods:
  • Interviews: Are the interviewees clearly described in terms of their occupation / position of relevance, race, sex, education and estimated age? Do the students describe how they protected the respondent's identity? Do the students describe the method of data collection - where the interview was done, how long it lasted, when it was done? Are the interview questions accurately constructed and relevant to the thesis?
  • Surveys: Is the sample accurately described in terms of the total number responding, the number of males and the number of females? Do the students describe where the survey has distributed and how anonymity was maintained? Are the survey questions accurately constructed and are they relevant to the thesis?
1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Results:
  • Interviews: Do the interview snippets the students present form a clear picture of the respondent's views? Do the students relate the snippets accurately to the thesis? Do the students accurately and clearly discuss how the respondent's views (based on the snippets) are similar and different to the general views expressed in the literature review?
  • Surveys: Are the tables clearly and accurately presented? Is the written comparision of male and females' views accurately interpreted (based on the information in the tables)? Do the students accurately tie the information in the tables to that found in the literature review? Do the students accurately apply and justify their theoretical choice?
1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Discussion: Do the students recap the thesis and the general approach to the study? Do the students provide feasible explanations for the similarity / differences in respondents' views to what is found in the literature? Sociological support for this?
  • Interviews: Do the students discuss how successful they feel the organization is and do they justify their view based on the interviewee's respoinses?
  • Surveys: Are the students' suggestions for change consistent with the majority of the respondent's views? Do the students' compare these views of change to their initial suggestions for change mentioned earlier in the paper?
1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Organization: Is the paper well-organized? Is it clear where each section begins and ends? Is the flow between sections smooth? 1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Grammar: Do the researchers follow basic grammar rules? Do they avoid passive voice? Do they avoid the overuse of weak verbs? Do they use accurate punctuation? 1.........2.........3.........4.........5
Style: Do the students avoid wordy sentences? Do they write clearly and directly? 1.........2.........3.........4.........5

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