Evaluation Plan

A plan for evaluation should be correlated well with the specific program for which it has been developed. As you continue to work on Assignment 4, it is important to bear in mind that an evaluation plan is distinct from–yet aligned with–the program plan and contains its own goals and objectives.

This week you integrate the knowledge and discernment you have developed to formulate a plan for how evaluation could be an integral part of your program (see attached file in file section named “Week 9 Discussion”).

To prepare for this week’s section of Assignment 4:

• Keep your own program in mind as your      review the information presented in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Develop an evaluation plan that      includes goals, objectives, and activities. Consider what type of data      will be needed.
• Review your visual representation of      your program plan design (Week 6      [see attached file named “Assignment 2”]) and incorporate your      evaluation plan.
• Revise your Gantt chart (Week 6 [see attached file named “Assignment      2”]) to include your evaluation plan.

The full Assignment 4 is due by Wednesday 1/30/19 before midnight of this week. Instructions have been provided in previous weeks to help you prepare.

By Day 3

To complete:

Write a 3- to 5-page paper in APA format with a minimum of 6 scholarly references. Include the level 1 and 2 headers as numbered below that addresses the following (Please make sure to follow the outline exactly as below):

1) Evaluation Methods (developed in Week 9 [see attached file in file section named “Week 9 Discussion”])

a) Identify an evaluation theory or model that is aligned to your program goal(s) and objectives.

b) Exhibit a performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation timeline that:

o Demonstrates the appropriate use of performance measurement, monitoring, and summative evaluation

o Distinguishes between the long-term effects of impact evaluation versus short and intermediate health outcomes as a result of the implementation of the program.

2) Evaluation Plan (developed this week [see attached file named week 10 discussion”])

c) Develop an evaluation plan that includes goals, objectives, and activities. Specify the type of data needed.

d) Add your evaluation plan to the visual representation (e.g., table or graph) of your program plan design.

e) Add time line information for the evaluation plan to your Gantt chart.

Note: In addition to your paper, be sure to submit the following (which may be contained in a separate document):

• An updated version of the visual      representation (e.g., table or graph) of your program design that includes      your evaluation plan (See attached file, then revise )
• An updated version of your Gantt      chart that includes your evaluation plan

Be sure to make revisions to these items based on any feedback you received from your Instructor when you submitted them in Week 6 (see attached file).

Required Readings

Hodges, B. C., & Videto, D. M. (2011). Assessment and planning in health programs (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

· Review Chapter 4, “Program Planning: The Big Picture”

· Review Chapter 5, “Social Marketing, Program Planning, and Implementation”

As you review Chapter 4, focus on the budgeting information presented on pp. 113–115.

· Chapter 6, “The Importance and Use of Theories in Health Education and Health Promotion”

The authors describe various theories, noting that theories are not universally applicable to every program.

· Chapter 10, “Program Evaluation: Background and Basics”

Chapter 10 outlines steps for designing evaluation during program planning.

Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L. L. (2017). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 

An effectiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

· Chapter 2, “The Contribution of Theory to Program Planning”

This chapter examines the application of theory in program planning.

· Review Chapter 10, “Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Program Evaluation”

· Chapter 11, “Impact Program Evaluation and Hypothesis Testing”

· Review Chapter 10 and read Chapter 11 to examine aspects of evaluation essential to program planning.

· Chapter 12, “Budgeting for Financial Control, Management, and Planning”

· Chapter 13, “Developing Line-Item, Functional, and Program Budgeting Systems”

·  Chapter 10, “Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Program Evaluation”

As you read this chapter, pay attention to the financial functions associated with these forms of evaluation and the data to be collected.

Chapter 12 introduces budgeting as an important part of the planning process, noting that it also serves essential management and control functions for programs. Chapter 13 addresses three systems of budgeting—line item, functional, and program—each of which has a distinct focus.

Berhane, A., Biadgilign, S., Berhane, A., & Memiah, P. (2015). Male involvement in family planning program in Northern Ethiopia: An application of the Transtheoretical model. Patient Education and Counseling 98, 469–475

Kroelinger, C.D., Rankin, K. M., Chamgers, D.A., Diez Roux, A.V., Huges, K., & Grigorescu, V. (2014). Using the principles of complex systems thinking and implementation sceice to enhance maternal and child health program planning and delivery. Maternal Child Health Journal, 18, 1560–1564. doi 10.1007/s10995-014-1586-9

Silverman, B., Champney, J., Steber, S., & Zubritsky, C. (2015). Collaborating for consensus: Considerations for convening Coalition stakeholders to promote a gender-based approach to addressing the health needs of sex workers. Evaluation and Program Planning 51,17–26 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.12.002

Smith, T.L., Barlow, P.b., Peters, J.M., & Skolits, G.J. (2015). Demystifying reflective practice: Using the DATA model to enhance evaluators’ professional activities. Evaluation and Program Planning, 52, 142–147.

Albert, D., Fortin, R., Herrera, C., Riley, B., Hanning, R., Lessio, A., & Rush, B. (2013). Strengthening chronic disease prevention programming: The toward evidence-Informed practice (TEIP) program evidence tool. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10,1–9

Baron, K., Hodgson, A., & Walshe, C. (2015). Evaluation of an advance care planning education programme for nursing homes: A longitudinal study. Nurse Education Today, 35, 689–695.

Schmitt, C.L., Glasgow, L., Lavinghouze, S.R., Ricker, P.P., Fulmer, E., McAleer, K., & Rogers, T. (2016). Measuring infrastructure: A key step in program evaluation and planning. Evaluation and Program Planning, 56, 50–56 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.03.007

Gaskin, J., Rennie, C., & Coyle, D. (2015). Reducing periconceptional methylmercury exposure: Cost-utility analysis for a proposed screening program for women planning a pregnancy in Ontario, Canada. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(12), 1337–1344 doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409034.

Palumbo, M.V., Sikorski, E.A. & Liberty, B.C. (2013). Exploring the cost-effectiveness of unit-based health promotion activities for nurses. Workplace Health & Safety, 61(12), 514–520.

U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Writing a business plan. Retrieved December 12, 2011, from http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business/starting-business/writing-business-plan

The “Writing a Business Plan” section of this website introduces elements of a good business plan, which is an essential document for any program. Investigate the information presented. In addition, see the “Preparing Your Finances” section for information on break-even analysis and other budgeting-related matters.

Robbins, L.B., Pfeiffer, K.A., Weolek, S.M., & Lo, Y. (2014). Process evaluation for a school-based physical intervention for 6th and 7th grade boys: Reach, dose, and fidelity. Evaluation and Program Planning, 42, 21–31 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.09.002

Schalock, R.L., Lee, t., Verdugo, M., Swart, K., Claes, C., van Loon, J., & Lee, C. (2014). An evidence-based approach to organization evaluation and change in human service organizations evaluation and program planning. Evaluation and Program Planning, 45, 110–118. 

Moore, H.K., Preussler, J., Denzen, E.M., Payton, T.J., Thao, V., Murphy, E.A. & Harwood, E. (2014). Designing and operationalizing a customized internal evaluation model for cancer treatment support programs, Journal Cancer Education, 29, 463–372 doi10.1007/s13187-014-0644-8

Redwood, D., Provost, E., Lopez, E.D., Skewes, M., Johnson, R., Christensen, C., Sacco, F., & Haverkamp, D. (2016). A process evaluation of the Alaska Native colorectal cancer family outreach program. Health Education & Behavior, 43(1), 35–42 doi: 10.1177/1090198115590781

Robbins, L.B., Pfeiffer, K.A., Weolek, S.M., & Lo, Y. (2014). Process evaluation for a school-based physical intervention for 6th and 7th grade boys: Reach, dose, and fidelity. Evaluation and Program Planning, 42, 21–31 doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.09.002

Optional Resources

Ahmad, F., Roy, A., Brady, S., Belgeonne, S., Dunn, L., & Pitts, J. (2007). Care pathway initiative for people with intellectual disabilities: Impact evaluation. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(7), 700–702.

This article is an example of an impact evaluation.

Gard, C. L., Flannigan, P. N., & Cluskey, M. (2004). Program evaluation: An ongoing systematic process. Nursing Education Perspectives, 25(4), 176–179.

This article discusses the use of accreditation standards and site visits as a plan for ongoing evaluation for a nursing program.

Graff, J. C., Russell, C. K., & Stegbauer, C. C. (2007). Formative and summative evaluation of a practice doctorate program. Nurse Educator, 32(4), 173–177.

Milne, L., Scotland, G., Tagiyeva-Milne, N., & Hussein, J. (2004). Safe motherhood program evaluation: Theory and practice. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 49(4), 338–344.

This article identifies and evaluates the different approaches to program evaluation related to safe motherhood.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). Chronic disease indicators [Data set]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cdi/.

This site allows you to search and compare different regions for specific chronic disease indicators.

Hulton, L. J. (2007). An evaluation of a school-based teenage pregnancy prevention program using a logic model framework. Journal of School Nursing, 23(2), 104–110.

This article describes the use of the logic model to develop, implement, and evaluate a nursing intervention in a school setting.

Johnson, S. S., Driskell, M., Johnson, J. L., Prochaska, J. M., Zwick, W., & Prochaska, J. O. (2006). Efficacy of a transtheoretical model-based expert system for antihypertensive adherence. Disease Management, 9(5), 291–301.

This article introduces the use of the transtheoretical model and stages of change as applied to interventions aimed at medication adherence for patients with hypertension.

Rogers, L. Q., Shah, P., Dunnington, G., Greive, A., Shanmugham, A., Dawson, B., & Courneya, K. S. (2005). Social cognitive theory and physical activity during breast cancer treatment. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32(4), 807–815.

The social cognitive theory is utilized to examine associations with physical activity in breast cancer patients. This article posits that the social cognitive theory can be used as a mediator for intervention evaluation with this population.

W. K. Kellogg Foundation. (2004). Using logic models to bring together planning, evaluation, and action: Logic model development guide. Battle Creek, MI: W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resource/2006/02/wk-kellogg-foundation-logic-model-development-guide.

This report offers a guide for the use of the logic model in program planning and outcome-oriented evaluation for nonprofit projects.

Dirubbo, N. E. (2006). Break-even analysis: Can I afford to do this? Nurse Practitioner, 31(7), 11.

This article briefly explains break-even analysis and its use in initiating new programs.

McBryde-Foster, M. J. (2005). Break-even analysis in a nurse-managed center. Nursing Economic$, 23(1), 31–34

This article explains how break-even analysis can be used in a nursing environment and how to apply it for program proposals.

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2008). HTA 101: IV. Cost analysis methods. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/hta101/ta10106.html

· Published by the National Institutes of Health, this site offers an explanation of the types of cost analysis including comparison of cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefits.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Design and evaluation of programs and projects [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

“Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Evaluation” (featuring Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, Dr. Melissa Willmarth, and Dr. Debora Dole)

You may view this course video by clicking the link or on the course DVD, which contains the same content. Once you’ve opened the link, click on the appropriate media piece.

In this week’s videos, Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, Dr. Melissa Willmarth, Dr. Debora Dole discuss evaluation for programs.

Clinical performance evaluation is subjective and involves the judgments of the evaluator. It is filtered by the evaluator’s perspective, values, and biases. With this in mind, select three clinical evaluation strategies that you believe are fair and accurate in order to measure student learning, and determine their competency and safety in the clinical setting. Explain your rationale for why you selected each of the strategies, and how they align with your personal philosophy of teaching.  Make sure the strategies that you selected include ways to evaluate students cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning.

  

While HIV/AIDS is still currently incurable, the prognosis for patients with this infectious disease has improved due to advancements in drug treatments. Consider the case of Kristy Aney. Kristy was diagnosed with HIV in 1992 and was told she would survive, at most, 10 more years. Despite unfavorable odds, Kristy is still alive 20 years later. Since her diagnosis, she has witnessed tremendous improvements in HIV/AIDS treatments which have helped patients live longer with fewer side effects. While she acknowledges that these drug treatments have kept her alive, she fears that improvements in drug therapy have led to more people becoming complacent about the disease (Idaho Statesmen, 2012). In fact, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States is higher than it has ever been (CDC, 2012). This poses the question: Is there a relationship between drug advancements, societal complacency, and infection?

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 49 of the Arcangelo      and Peterson text, as well as the Krummenacher et al. and Scourfield      articles in the Learning Resources.
• Reflect on whether or not the      prevalence of HIV cases might be attributed to increased complacency due      to more advanced drug treatment options for HIV/AIDS.
• Consider how health care      professionals can help to change perceptions and make people more aware of      the realities of the disease.
• Think about strategies to educate HIV      positive patients on medication adherence, as well as safe practices to      reduce the risk of infecting others.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post an explanation of whether or not you think the prevalence of HIV cases might be attributed to increased complacency due to more advanced drug treatment options. Then, explain how health care professionals can help to change perceptions and increase awareness of the realities of the disease. Finally, describe strategies to educate HIV positive patients on medication adherence, as well as safe practices to reduce the risk of infecting others.

This work should have Introduction and conclusion

– This work should have at 3 to 5current references (Year 2012 and up)

– Use at least 2 references from class Learning Resources

The following Resources are not acceptable:

1. Wikipedia

2. Cdc.gov- nonhealthcare professionals section

3. Webmd.com

4. Mayoclinic.com

Required Readings

Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• Chapter 8, “Principles of      Antimicrobial Therapy” (pp. 111-134)
       This chapter covers factors that impact the selection of an antimicrobial      treatment regimen. It also examines the clinical uses, adverse events, and      drug interactions of various antimicrobial agents such as penicillin.
• Chapter 12, “Fungal Infections      of the Skin” (pp. 163-196)
       This chapter explores the pathophysiology of several fungal infections of      the skin as well as related drug treatments and examines the importance of      patient education when managing these infections.
• Chapter 14, “Bacterial      Infections of the Skin” (pp. 181-196)
       This chapter begins by examining causes of bacterial infections. It then      explores the importance of selecting an appropriate agent for treating      bacterial infections.
• Chapter 32, “Urinary Tract      Infection” (pp. 519-526)
       This chapter covers drugs used to treat urinary tract infections and      identifies special considerations when treating geriatric patients,      pediatric patients, and women.
• Chapter 35, “Sexually      Transmitted Infections” (pp. 512-535)
       This chapter outlines the causes, pathophysiology, and drug treatment of      six sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, and      human papilloma virus infection (HPV). It also examines the importance of      selecting the proper agent and monitoring patient response to treatment.
• Chapter 49, “Human Immunodeficiency Virus” (pp.      843-860)
       This chapter presents the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria,      and prevention methods for HIV. It also covers various methods of drug      treatment and patient factors to consider when selecting, administering,      and managing drug treatments.

Krummenacher, I., Cavassini, M., Bugnon, O., & Schneider, M. (2011). An interdisciplinary HIV-adherence program combining motivational interviewing and electronic antiretroviral drug monitoring. AIDS Care, 23(5), 550–561.

This article analyzes medication adherence in HIV patients and examines factors that increase adherence as well as factors that contribute to termination or discontinuation of treatment.

Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/

This website presents a comprehensive review of prescription and over-the-counter drugs including information on common uses and potential side effects. It also provides updates relating to new drugs on the market, support from health professionals, and a drug-drug interactions checker.

Scourfield, A., Waters, L., & Nelson, M. (2011). Drug combinations for HIV: What’s new? Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 9(11), 1001–1011.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article examines current therapies and strategies for treating HIV patients. It also examines factors that impact selection of therapy, including drug interactions, personalization of therapy, costs, management of comorbidities, and patient response.

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Antimicrobials. Baltimore, MD: Author.

This media presentation outlines principles of antimicrobial therapy 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.

Mayer, K. H., & Krakower, D. (2012). Antiretroviral medication and HIV prevention: New steps forward and New Questions. Annals of Internal Medicine, 156(4), 312–314.

Please complete this assignment on the worksheet attached. 

1. Choose the ONE systematic review topic that is of most interest to you, or most relevant to your practice situation, from the required List of Approved Systematic Reviews (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

2. Follow the grading criteria below to formulate your practice issue, which must be based on the topic of the systematic review you have selected.

3. Download the required Milestone 1 Practice Issue and Evidence Summary Worksheets (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (both worksheets appear in ONE form) to document the practice issue presented and approved by your instructor in the Week 2 Discussions.

4. You are required to complete the form using the productivity tools required by Chamberlain University, which is Microsoft Office Word 2013 (or later version), or Windows and Office 2011 (or later version) for MAC. You must save the file in the “.docx” format. Do NOT save as Word Pad. A later version of the productivity tool includes Office 365, which is available to Chamberlain students for FREE by downloading from the student portal at http://my.chamberlain.edu (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Click on the envelope at the top of the page.

5. Your practice issue will be the same for all three Milestone assignments in this course.

6. Please type your answers directly into the worksheet.

Evidence Summary Worksheet Directions

1. Develop an evidence summary by following the grading criteria below.

2. Document this on the evidence summary portion of the worksheet.

3. You will use this worksheet to incorporate your evidence summary into your Week 4 Milestone 2 assignment.

4. Please type your answers directly into the worksheet.

THE CHOSEN REVIEW SYSTEM

Obstetrics/Delivery

McFadden, A., Gavine, A., Renfrew, M. J., Wade, A., Buchanan, P., Taylor, J. L., … MacGillivray, S. (2017). Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001141. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001141.pub5

                     Abstract

Background

There is extensive evidence of important health risks for infants and mothers related to not breastfeeding. In 2003, the World Health Organization recommended that infants be breastfed exclusively until six months of age, with breastfeeding continuing as an important part of the infant’s diet until at least two years of age. However, current breastfeeding rates in many countries do not reflect this recommendation.

Objectives

To describe forms of breastfeeding support which have been evaluated in controlled studies, the timing of the interventions and the settings in which they have been used.

To examine the effectiveness of different modes of offering similar supportive interventions (for example, whether the support offered was proactive or reactive, face-to-face or over the telephone), and whether interventions containing both antenatal and postnatal elements were more effective than those taking place in the postnatal period alone.

To examine the effectiveness of different care providers and (where information was available) training.

To explore the interaction between background breastfeeding rates and effectiveness of support.

Search methods

We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth’s Trials Register (29 February 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

Selection criteria

Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing extra support for healthy breastfeeding mothers of healthy term babies with usual maternity care.

Data collection and analysis

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Main results

This updated review includes 100 trials involving more than 83,246 mother-infant pairs of which 73 studies contribute data (58 individually-randomised trials and 15 cluster-randomised trials). We considered that the overall risk of bias of trials included in the review was mixed. Of the 31 new studies included in this update, 21 provided data for one or more of the primary outcomes. The total number of mother-infant pairs in the 73 studies that contributed data to this review is 74,656 (this total was 56,451 in the previous version of this review). The 73 studies were conducted in 29 countries. Results of the analyses continue to confirm that all forms of extra support analyzed together showed a decrease in cessation of ‘any breastfeeding’, which includes partial and exclusive breastfeeding (average risk ratio (RR) for stopping any breastfeeding before six months 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 51 studies) and for stopping breastfeeding before four to six weeks (average RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 33 studies). All forms of extra support together also showed a decrease in cessation of exclusive breastfeeding at six months (average RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.92; moderate-quality evidence, 46 studies) and at four to six weeks (average RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.89; moderate quality, 32 studies). We downgraded evidence to moderate-quality due to very high heterogeneity.

We investigated substantial heterogeneity for all four outcomes with subgroup analyses for the following covariates: who delivered care, type of support, timing of support, background breastfeeding rate and number of postnatal contacts. Covariates were not able to explain heterogeneity in general. Though the interaction tests were significant for some analyses, we advise caution in the interpretation of results for subgroups due to the heterogeneity. Extra support by both lay and professionals had a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes. Several factors may have also improved results for women practising exclusive breastfeeding, such as interventions delivered with a face-to-face component, high background initiation rates of breastfeeding, lay support, and a specific schedule of four to eight contacts. However, because within-group heterogeneity remained high for all of these analyses, we advise caution when making specific conclusions based on subgroup results. We noted no evidence for subgroup differences for the any breastfeeding outcomes.

Authors’ conclusions

When breastfeeding support is offered to women, the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding is increased. Characteristics of effective support include: that it is offered as standard by trained personnel during antenatal or postnatal care, that it includes ongoing scheduled visits so that women can predict when support will be available, and that it is tailored to the setting and the needs of the population group. Support is likely to be more effective in settings with high initiation rates. Support may be offered either by professional or lay/peer supporters, or a combination of both. Strategies that rely mainly on face-to-face support are more likely to succeed with women practising exclusive breastfeeding.

 

Save Link Assignment Literature Review  View Rubric Due Date: Mar 10, 2018        Max Points: 100  Details:  

While the implementation plan prepares students to apply their research to the problem or issue they have identified for their capstone change proposal project, the literature review enables students to map out and move into the active planning and development stages of the project.  

A literature review analyzes how current research supports the PICOT, as well as identifies what is known and what is not known in the evidence. Students will use the information from the earlier PICOT Statement Paper and Literature Evaluation Table assignments to develop a 750-1,000 word review that includes the following sections:      

1-Title page     

2-Introduction section     

3-A comparison of research questions     

4-A comparison of sample populations     

5-A comparison of the limitations of the study     

6-A conclusion section, incorporating recommendations for further research  

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.  This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.  You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Apply Rubrics 

Literature Review    1 Unsatisfactory 0.00% 2 Less than Satisfactory 75.00% 3 Satisfactory 79.00% 4 Good 89.00% 5 Excellent 100.00% 80.0 % Content  10.0 % Introduction An introduction is not present. An introduction is present, but it does not relate to the body of the paper. An introduction is present, and it relates to the body of the paper. There is nothing in the introduction to entice the reader to continue reading. An introduction is present, and it relates to the body of the paper. Information presented in the introduction provides incentive for the reader to continue reading. An introduction is present, and it relates to the body of the paper. Information presented in the introduction is intriguing and encourages the reader to continue reading. 20.0 % Comparison of Research Questions No comparison of research questions is presented. A comparison of research questions is presented, but it is not valid. A cursory though valid comparison of research questions is presented. A moderately thorough and valid comparison of research questions is presented. A reflective and insightful comparison of research questions is presented. 20.0 % Comparison of Sample Populations No comparison of sample populations is presented. A comparison of sample populations is presented, but it is not valid. A cursory though valid comparison of sample populations is presented. A moderately thorough and valid comparison of sample populations is presented. A reflective and insightful comparison of sample populations is presented. 20.0 % Comparison of the Limitations of the Study No comparison of the limitations of the study is presented. A comparison of the limitations of the study is presented, but it is not valid. A cursory though valid comparison of the limitations of the study is presented. A moderately thorough and valid comparison of the limitations of the study is presented. A reflective and insightful comparison of the limitations of the study is presented. 10.0 % Conclusion and Recommendations for Further Research No conclusion and recommendations for further research are presented. A conclusion and recommendations for further research are presented, but they are not valid. A conclusion and recommendations for further research are valid, but they are cursory. A conclusion and recommendations for further research are valid and moderately thorough. A conclusion and recommendations for further research are reflective and insightful. 15.0 % Organization and Effectiveness  5.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear. 5.0 % Argument Logic and Construction Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative. 5.0 % Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present. Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. 5.0 % Format  2.0 % Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent. Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct. 3.0 % Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) Sources are not documented. Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error. 100 % Total Weightage