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	Research/Investigation Skills & Processes	Content Evidence & Support	Communication & Presentation	Conceptual Understanding
1.	The research or investigation process, if evident, is ineffective. The statement of the research topic or purpose is not evident, or is unclear Sources of information are inadequate or non-credible. Little information relevant to the topic is provided to support the research or investigative effort. Analysis is not evident, or is ineffective. The conclusions, if provided, are inadequate or inconsistent with the analysis. Sources utilized may not be documented.	Minimal information is provided to support the topic. Information may be irrelevant to the topic. Most information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable. The content and scope of information are inadequate for the topic. Sources of information are not communicated.	The presentation is not effective. The presentation is not appropriate for the purpose or topic. Ideas are poorly developed and disorganized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seriously interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Minimal conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are seldom or never used. Little or no logic or language appropriate to the topic is evident. Few, if any, examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions, if offered, are largely illogical or inaccurate.
2.	The research or investigative process is somewhat ineffective. The statement of the research topic or purpose is somewhat vague, and the significance of the topic unclear. Sources of information are somewhat inadequate or non-credible. Some information relevant to the topic is provided to support the research or investigative effort. Incomplete analysis is evident. The conclusions are somewhat inadequate or inconsistent with the analysis. Sources utilized are poorly documented.	Some supporting evidence is provided to support the topic, but it is inadequate. Some information relevant to the task is employed. Some information is inaccurate, non-credible, or unverifiable. The content and scope of information are somewhat inadequate for the purpose. Sources of information may be inadequately communicated.	The presentation is somewhat effective. The presentation is somewhat appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are partially developed but somewhat disorganized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage may sometimes interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Some conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Some concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are used. Some use of logic and language appropriate to the topic is evident. Some examples are used to illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions may be somewhat illogical or inaccurate.
3.	The research or investigative process is effective. The research topic or purpose is clearly stated, and the significance of the topic is apparent. Most of the sources of information are adequate and credible. Information relevant to the topic is organized to support the research or investigative effort. Analysis is evident. The conclusions are consistent with the analysis. Sources utilized are adequately documented.	Adequate information is provided to support the topic. Information relevant to the topic is provided. Although minor inaccuracies may be present, most information is accurate, credible, and verifiable. The content and scope of information are adequate for the topic. Most sources of information are adequately communicated.	The presentation is effective. The presentation is appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are adequately developed and generally well organized. Errors in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, or usage seldom interfere with the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Adequate conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are accurately used. Logic and language appropriate to the topic are evident. Examples are used to adequately illustrate the concepts presented. Conclusions are generally logical and accurate.
4.	The research or investigative process is exceptionally effective. The research topic or purpose is clearly stated, and the significance of the topic is apparent. Sources of information are well chosen and very credible. Information relevant to the topic is purposefully selected and well organized to support the research or investigative effort. Thorough analysis is evident. The conclusions are insightful and consistent with the analysis. Sources utilized are completely and thoroughly documented.	Information to support the topic is carefully selected and skillfully utilized. Information highly relevant to the topic is provided. Information is detailed, accurate, credible, and verifiable. The content and scope of information fully support the topic. Sources of information are fully and clearly communicated.	The presentation is highly effective. The presentation is highly appropriate for the purpose and topic. Ideas are thoroughly developed and well organized. Sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and usage enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.	Superior conceptual understanding of the topic is demonstrated. Concepts and important ideas pertinent to the topic are skillfully applied. Logic and language appropriate to the topic are present throughout. Examples used enhance understanding of the concepts presented. Conclusions are logical and accurate, and may be insightful.