iRubric: research article critique rubric

Fewer than five (5) sources OR five (5) sources with fewer than three (3) academically appropriate; sources are not relevant to researcher’s topic; sources necessitate extensive additional research

Five (5) sources, at least four (3) conforming to assignment guidelines; some sources chosen are relevant to the topic; writer may need additional sources to complete research

Five (5) sources, all conforming to assignment guidelines; sources chosen are highly relevant to the topic; sources add greatly to research potential

Evaluation does not clearly explain why the sources were chosen; fails to adequately describe format/type of source; fails to evaluate and give evidence for author's authority; fails to adequately evaluate source (sponsoring organizations, publishers, etc.); fails to adequately discuss other necessary evaluation criteria (audience, objectivity, currency, accuracy, reliability/relevance, and purpose/point of view); sources are not very reliable with little justification for use

Evaluation sometimes explains why the sources were chosen; gave inadequate description of the format/type of the source; evaluated and gave some evidence for author’s authority; evaluated source (sponsoring organizations, publishers, etc.); discussed some necessary evaluation criteria (audience, objectivity, currency, accuracy, reliability/relevance, and purpose/point of view)

Evaluation clearly explains why the sources were chosen; described the format/type of the source; evaluated and gave evidence for author’s authority; evaluated source (sponsoring organizations, publishers, etc.); discussed other necessary evaluation criteria (audience, objectivity, currency, accuracy, reliability/relevance, and purpose/point of view)

Lacking citations; unidentifiable connection to works cited; citation not close to quote/paraphrase; unclear or confusing

Connection to Works Cited is unclear or confusing; may contain basic information; may be close to quote/paraphrase

Clearly and obviously show connection to the Works Cited; contain relevant information; are as close to the quote/paraphrase as possible

Works cited has less than three (3) sources and/or there are more than four (4) errors in APA formatting

Works cited has at least three (3) sources and is formatted to APA specification with the exception of one (1) error

Works cited has at least four (4) sources and is formatted to APA specifications exactly