SUNY ESF
Grading Rubric FOR796
Grading Rubric for Proposals (60 points)
Introduction (15 total, including references)
10 All of the following are present: (1) Why the problem is important, (2) The background necessary to understand the objectives, including relevant literature, (3) a clear statement of the objectives, and hypotheses if relevant. The reader’s interest must be engaged.
8 Missing one of the above characteristics
6 Missing two of the above characteristics
4 None of the necessary components are present
References:
5 points for 5 or more refereed papers
4 points if there are 5 or more references but not 5 refereed journal articles.
3 points for three articles, etc.
Methods
10 The information provided is necessary and sufficient to reproduce the study and interpret the results.
9 A few minor errors of omission, or a few extraneous things provided.
8 Major errors of omission: statistical design absent or unclear, measurements not well described, or equations and parameter values absent.
6 Multiple major errors of omission.
4 I don’t have a clue what was done and can’t evaluate the study.
Visual Aids (timeline, diagram, other illustration)
5 Useful, clear, and correctly formatted.
4 A few minor errors, such as gray scale, unnecessary outlines, labels or symbols too small, meaningless interpolation between points, poor resolution, or evidence of defaults from Excel.
3 Figures have major faults that make them difficult to understand.
2 Important figures lacking or many major errors.
Organization
10 Material is presented in the correct section of the paper and paragraphs are well ordered and structured.
8 Two or three errors of organization (redundancy of sections, poor flow of content)
6 Material commonly found in the wrong place, but mostly in the right place.
4 Most material out of place or most paragraphs hard to follow.
2 It’s hard to find a good paragraph in the right place.
Clarity of writing (points off for grammar, indirect language, wordiness, poor word choice)
10 Sentences are grammatically correct, concise, and easy to understand, words are appropriately used.
9 Writing is unduly wordy or frequent minor errors occur
8 Writing errors are common but not overwhelming.
6 More sentences have problems than do not.
It is hard to find an error-free sentence in this paper.
Grading Rubric for Final Drafts (80 points)
Abstract
10 All parts are complete, including the problem to be solved, objectives, results, and conclusions.
9 Room for minor improvement or abstract unduly long.
8 One part missing.
6 Two parts missing.
4 Three parts missing.
Introduction
10 All of the following are present: (1) Why the problem is important, (2) The background necessary to understand the objectives, including relevant literature, (3) a clear statement of the objectives, and hypotheses if relevant. The reader’s interest must be engaged.
8 Missing one of the above characteristics
6 Missing two of the above characteristics
4 None of the necessary components are present
Methods
10 The information provided is necessary and sufficient to reproduce the study and interpret the results.
9 A few minor errors of omission, or a few extraneous things provided.
8 Major errors of omission: statistical design absent or unclear, measurements not well described, or equations and parameter values absent.
6 Multiple major errors of omission.
4 I don’t have a clue what was done and can’t evaluate the paper.
Results
10 Results are clear, complete, and substantial.
9 Minor errors
8 Major errors or constant minor errors
6 Results are very difficult to understand
4 Results are incomprehensible
Discussion
10 This section addresses the major issues raised in the paper, including sources of uncertainty, alternatives to choosing this approach, comparison to other studies, implications for the solving the problem posed in the introduction, and (if relevant) need for future research.
8 Major areas are covered, but there are minor problems in a few sections
6 One major area not addressed or multiple areas poorly addressed
4 Several major areas not addressed
2 There is little of value in this section
Figures and Tables (points off for failing to respond to lessons learned in our prior reviews)
10 Table and Figures are necessary, clear, and correctly formatted.
9 A few minor errors, such as gray scale, unnecessary outlines, labels or symbols too small, meaningless interpolation between points, poor resolution, or evidence of defaults from Excel.
8 Figures have major faults that make them difficult to understand.
6 Important figures lacking or many major errors.
4 Full of errors identified during class sessions but not remedied.
Organization
10 Material is presented in the correct section of the paper and paragraphs are well ordered and structured.
8 Two or three errors of organization (redundancy of sections, poor flow of content)
6 Material commonly found in the wrong place, but mostly in the right place.
4 Most material out of place or most paragraphs hard to follow.
2 It’s hard to find a good paragraph in the right place.
Clarity of writing (points off for grammar, indirect language, wordiness, poor word choice)
10 Sentences are grammatically correct, concise, and easy to understand, words are appropriately used.
9 Writing is unduly wordy or frequent minor errors occur
8 Writing errors are common but not overwhelming.
6 More sentences have problems than do not.
4 It is hard to find an error-free sentence in this paper.
The ideal review includes (for a total of 20 points)
10 evidence that the reviewer read the paper
2 a description of the paper reviewed.
2 The review shows insight and judgment, including evaluation of the strengths and limitations of the paper.
2 The tone is professional and as positive as possible.
4 Detailed recommendations for improvement are given.
Points will be deducted for poor presentation (1-2) and poor judgment (1-2).