Full Marks (the maximum award in an examination or assessment)

Identifies a creative, focused, and manageable topic that addresses potentially significant yet previously less- explored aspects of the topic.

Milestones (an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development)

Identifies a focused and manageable/ doable topic that appropriately addresses relevant aspects of the topic.

Milestones (an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development)

Identifies a topic that while manageable/ doable, is too narrowly focused and leaves out relevant aspects of the topic.

Benchmark (a point of reference from which measurements may be made)

Identifies a topic that is far too general and wide-ranging as to be manageable and doable.

Full Marks

Synthesizes in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches.

Milestones

Presents in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches.

Milestones

Presents information from relevant sources representing limited points of view/approaches.

Benchmark

Presents information from irrelevant sources representing limited points of view/approaches.

Full Marks

All elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are skillfully developed. Appropriate methodology or theoretical frameworks may be synthesized from across disciplines or from relevant subdisciplines.

Milestones

Critical elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are appropriately developed, however, more subtle elements are ignored or unaccounted for.

Milestones

Critical elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are missing, incorrectly developed, or unfocused.

Benchmark

Inquiry design demonstrates a misunderstanding of the methodology or theoretical framework.

Full Marks

Organizes and synthesizes evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.

Milestones

Organizes evidence to reveal important patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.

Milestones

Organizes evidence, but the organization is not effective in revealing important patterns, differences, or similarities.

Benchmark

L ists evidence, but it is not organized and/or is unrelated to focus.

Full Marks

States a conclusion that is a logical extrapolation from the inquiry findings.

Milestones

States a conclusion focused solely on the inquiry findings. The conclusion arises specifically from and responds specifically to the inquiry findings.

Milestones

States a general conclusion that, because it is so general, also applies beyond the scope of the inquiry findings.

Benchmark

States an ambiguous, illogical, or unsupportable conclusion from inquiry findings.

Full Marks

Insightfully discusses in detail relevant and supported limitations and implications.

Milestones

Discusses relevant and supported limitations and implications.

Milestones

Presents relevant and supported limitations and implications.

Benchmark

Presents limitations and implications, but they are possibly irrelevant and unsupported.