3-9-2015_ DRAFT AP Research Rubrics_Academic Paper
AP RESEARCH PERFORMANCE TASK: ACADEMIC PAPER
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
LO 1.1C
LO 1.1D
LO 1.1E
LO 1.4B
LO 4.1B
CONTENT AREA
1. Perspective –
Understanding and
Analyzing
2. Research Practices –
Design and Planning
3. Research Practices –
Design and Planning
LO 2.1B
LO 2.1C
LO 2.2A
4. Argument –
Understanding and
Analyzing
LO 2.2C
LO 2.2D
LO 2.3B
LO 3.1A
LO 3.2A
5. Perspective –
Understanding and
Analyzing
LO 1.3B
LO 2.2B
6. Evidence –
Analyzing and
Evaluating
PERFORMANCE LEVELS
SCORE
The paper identifies the topic of
inquiry.
The paper identifies the topic of
inquiry and asserts that further
investigation of the topic is needed.
2
The research question/project goal is
stated, but its scope may be too
broad to be effectively investigated
or too narrow to be of significance.
3
The inquiry approach, method, or
process may lack some cohesion.
The approach, method, or process
may be misaligned with the research
question/project goal.
4
The research question/project goal is
somewhat focused and/or
manageable in scope.
The paper articulates the significance
of the topic of inquiry and explains
the significance of further
investigation of the topic.
6
The research question/project goal is
sharply focused and manageable in
scope.
5
The paper demonstrates a cohesive
inquiry approach, method, or
process that is reasonably aligned
with the research question/project
goal.
7
The paper demonstrates a
purposeful and cohesive inquiry
approach, method, or process that is
well aligned with the research
question/project goal.
The paper may not go much beyond
a literature review.
3
The paper identifies the results of
previous works.
5
The paper summarizes and explains
the results of previous works.
2
The paper analyzes a single
perspective on the topic of inquiry.
4
The paper analyzes multiple
perspectives on the topic of inquiry.
7
The paper summarizes and explains
the results of previous works,
offering an analysis of the logic and
line of reasoning of those works.
6
The paper analyzes, compares, and
evaluates multiple perspectives on
the topic of inquiry.
2
Some of the cited sources and
evidence are minimally credible
and/or relevant.
2
4
Most of the cited evidence and
sources are credible and relevant.
4
6
The cited evidence and sources are
consistently credible and relevant.
6
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3-9-2015_ DRAFT AP Research Rubrics_Academic Paper
LO 4.2A
LO 4.2A
LO 4.1A
LO 4.2B
LO 4.5A
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1A
LO 4.4A
LO 4.3A
7. Evidence –
Analyzing and
Evaluating
8. Evidence –
Selecting and Using
9. Argument –
Building and
Communicating
10. Argument –
Building and
Communicating
11. Making
Connections –
Extending
Understanding
12. Observance of
Conventions
(Academic)
The paper identifies an argument in
the scholarly literature.
The paper identifies multiple
authors’ claims and lines of
reasoning for associated arguments.
2
The paper includes data/information
from multiple sources, but the
connection of the data/information
to the argument is weak or unclear.
4
The paper incorporates
data/information from various
perspectives in ways that align with
its argument, though the sources
may be cited discretely, with little
connection drawn among them.
4
The paper presents a coherent
argument that links the evidence to
the claim(s). The paper may
disregard consequences or
implications evident in the
findings/conclusions.
2
The paper makes simplistic or
inconsistent claims or provides
minimal links from the evidence to
the claim(s). Several sections of the
paper may be presented as discrete,
unrelated segments.
3
The paper lacks evident
consideration of audience within the
context of a scholarly paper.
2
The paper demonstrates a superficial
understanding of the implications of
the research.
3
The paper’s use of attributions and
citations creates ambiguity in
authenticating the student’s voice.
2
5
There is evident consideration of
audience within the context of a
scholarly paper, though at times the
paper lapses into informal or
disorganized communication.
4
The paper identifies implications of
the research, acknowledges the
limitations of the approach taken,
and identifies possibilities for future
exploration and inquiry.
5
The paper’s use of attributions and
citations distinguishes, for the most
part, between the student’s voice
and that of prior research.
4
The paper distills multiple arguments
in the scholarly literature and
analyzes the depth and validity of
the authors’ claims and line of
reasoning.
6
The paper interprets and synthesizes
data/information from various
perspectives in ways that support
and develop its argument.
6
The paper presents a coherent and
convincing argument that, through
insightful and cogent commentary,
draws clear connections linking the
evidence to the claim(s). It accounts
for consequences or implications
evident in the findings/conclusions.
7
The paper is consistently appropriate
in its consideration of audience
within the context of a scholarly
paper.
6
The paper discusses implications of
the research, limitations of the
approach taken, and possibilities for
future exploration and inquiry.
7
The paper’s use of attributions and
citations clearly and consistently
distinguishes between the student’s
voice and that of prior research.
6
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3-9-2015_ DRAFT AP Research Rubrics_Academic Paper
LO 5.1B
LO 5.1C
13. Observance of
Conventions
(Compositional)
The paper contains many flaws in
grammar, style, and/or structure
that interfere with communication,
and visual or design elements, if
included, distract from
communication or are superfluous.
3
The paper contains some flaws in
grammar, style, and/or structure that
occasionally distract the reader, and
visual or design elements, if included,
support communication.
5
The paper contains few flaws in
grammar, style, and structure. The
writing communicates effectively to
the reader, and visual or design
elements, if included, enhance
communication.
7
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