FINAL PAPER GUIDELINES &

RUBRIC
Guidelines
The final paper will reflect the entirety of your work through this semester in Public Health &
Epidemiology. This will work will encompass the multi-faceted approach of public health and
address an issue of the groups choosing that qualifies.

American Psychological Association (APA) style is an academic format used largely but not
exclusively in the social and behavioral sciences for improved clarity of communication. The Online
Writing Lab (OWL) of Purdue University (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) is a good source of
information on APA style. And NoodleTools Express (http://www.noodletools.com/login.php) is a
useful bibliographic citation generator* that includes APA style for preparing literature cited lists
and parenthetical citations.
*Note that bibliography generators are not always completely accurate or current and should always
be checked for accuracy.

APA Research Paper Template (attached)

This template contains the basic elements and formatting of an APA research paper and may be
used to prepare your own research paper. Instructions are included in the template.

APA Research Paper Rubric (included)

This rubric (see the following page) is a guide for how to successfully complete an APA research
paper at the highest level of completion and success.

GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES & RUBRIC PAGE 1 OF 5

Part 2. Rubric

Presentation: Length, Level of Proficiency

Content, Organization,
etc.
Criteria Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning
APA Format ___ Entire paper is ___ Adheres to APA ___ Adheres to a smaller ___ Does not adhere
double-spaced with 1" format but lacks 1-2 number APA elements APA elements
margins elements
___ 12 pt font, New
Times Roman
___ Correct running
head (header) with
pagination
___ Title, name, school
name centered and
double-spaced (please
also include course
number and title, date
and instructor's name)
___ Length sufficient to
properly develop written
communication with
respect to the main
idea, subtopics, etc. (ca.
8-10 or perhaps a few
more pages)
Abstract ___ Provides complete ___ Provides incomplete ___ Abstract present but ___ No abstract
overview of paper (75- overview of paper (and incomplete, unclear or
100, or up to 150-200 significantly less or otherwise minimally
words) more than 150-200 acceptable
___ Block style with no words)
paragraphs, text flush ___ Incorrect style
left
Introduction ___ Approximately one ___ Of variable length, ___ Introduction present ___ No introduction
paragraph, addressing identifying a topic but incomplete, unclear
the topic and a main ___ Includes thesis or otherwise minimally
idea statement that may not acceptable
___ Includes thesis comprise a topic and an
statement assertion

GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES & RUBRIC PAGE 2 OF 5

 Body ___ Generally, of three ___ Less than three ___Body present but ___ No body
elements (of from one to elements (of from one to significantly incomplete,
several paragraphs several paragraphs unclear or otherwise
each) each) minimally acceptable
___ Each element ___ Not all elements
supports and develops support and develop the
the main idea main idea
(subpoints) ___ Not all paragraphs
___ Each paragraph contain a clear topic
contains a clear topic sentence (and also
sentence (and also logically leads to the
logically leads to the next paragraph)
next paragraph)
Conclusion ___ Typically, one ___ Less than one ___Conclusion present ___ No conclusion
paragraph (or may be paragraph but significantly
more) ___ Summarizes the incomplete, unclear or
___ Summarizes the body incompletely with otherwise minimally
body and concludes the weak conclusion acceptable
paper ___ Contains less than
___ Contains the following:
restatement of the main restatement of the main
idea (or thesis idea (or thesis
statement), summarize statement), summarize
subpoints and leaves subpoints and leaves
the reader with an the reader with an
interesting final interesting final
impression impression
Other Considerations ___ Contains factual ___ Relatively complete ___ Incomplete, unclear ___ Fully lacking in all
support for the purpose but does not address all or otherwise minimally aspects
___ Avoids ambiguity in points indicated in the acceptable
discussion of methods, presentation guidelines
results or
interpretations
___ Is clear and concise
___ Is developed logically
___ Main points are
emphasized and
auxiliary or background
information is kept in
proper perspective
GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES & RUBRIC PAGE 3 OF 5
 Attribution ___ All sources properly ___ Sources properly ___ Attribution present ___ No attribution
attributed, no attributed, no but significantly
plagiarism, plagiarism incomplete, papers
paraphrasing and direct contains plagiarism
quotes where
appropriate
References & Citations ___ References on ___ References on ___References present ___ No references
separate titled page separate titled page but significantly
(centered) (centered) incomplete, unclear or
___ In correct APA ___ Not all in correct otherwise minimally
format (all information APA format (all acceptable
included and information included
appropriate for type of and appropriate for type
source) of source)
___ Listed alphabetically ___ Less than the
___ Hanging indent following (listed
___ Minimum of two alphabetically; hanging
sources (per section) indent; minimum of four
credible, accurate and credible, accurate and
appropriate sources appropriate sources;
___ Each source is cited each source is cited at
at least twice and all least once and all cited
cited sources are sources are included in
included in references references, citations
___ All citations complete and correct)
complete and correctly
applied
Style ___ Academically ___ Generally ___ Minimally ___ Not academically
appropriate (formal academically academically appropriate
without being "wordy" or appropriate as described appropriate as described
involving affectation
(unnatural or artificial
expression meant
simply to impress)
___ Free of slang,
contractions, personal
pronouns, "you"
___ Variety of sentence
structures

GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES & RUBRIC PAGE 4 OF 5


Writing Mechanics
(standard grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and usage)
Subject: Problem,
Research Design &
Conduct, Student
Involvement in
Planning & Execution
Criteria
Problem or Question
Research Design &
Conduct
Student Involvement
GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES & RUBRIC
___ Fluency of
expression in writing
___ Assignment is at ___ Assignment is at ___ Assignment shows ___ Multiple issues with
least checked using least checked using evidence of minimal writing mechanics and
word processing spelling word processing spelling review for spelling and no evidence of review
and grammar tools and grammar tools grammar errors
___ Assignment is also ___ Few to several ___ Multiple issues with
checked visually for issues with writing writing mechanics
errors not detected mechanics
electronically
___ Syntax, grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
usage, mechanics,
organization, and clarity
are at the highest level
Level of Proficiency
Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning
___ Value of information ___ Value of information ___ Value of information ___ No value of
to scientific and Public to many members of the to limited members of information to the
Health communities in scientific and Public the scientific and Public scientific or Public
broadest sense Health communities Health communities Health communities
___ Objectives present ___ Objectives present ___ Objectives present ___ No clear objectives
and relatively complete and relatively complete but incomplete, unclear
or otherwise minimally
acceptable
___ All answers ___ Some answers ___ Answers presented ___ No answers to
presented clearly relate presented clearly relate not clearly related to questions raised by the
to objectives and the to objectives and the objectives or obtained objectives as research
research research by the research was conducted
___ Research techniques ___ Research techniques
minimally adequate not adequate
___ Student involvement ___ Student involvement ___ Student involvement ___ No student
in all aspects where in some aspects minimal involvement in planning
reasonable or possible and execution of the
research project
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