Introduction to Research Skills

Marking Sheet for Research Paper

Knock out criteria: Paper is NOT assessed unless these criteria are met.
1. Correct in text references Yes No
2. Annotated bibliography Yes No
3. Ephorus check Yes No

Content Sections Comments

1. Abstract
5 points
 Is the abstract included?
 Is the abstract a single paragraph between 150 and 250 words?
 Are all main elements included (research question, methods, main findings and answer to
research question)?
2. Introduction
5 points
 Is the research question (RQ) clearly introduced?
 Is the RQ properly phrased and justified?
3. Methodology 5 points

 Are the type of databases (general use, library accessible) used to retrieve sources
mentioned?
 Are the type of sources used (academic, institutional, journalistic - as applicable) adequately
discussed?
 Are primary and secondary data discussed?
 Are qualitative and quantitative data discussed?
 Are limitations discussed (available literature, type of sources: old, few, non-academic,
biased, with low credibility, only in English, etc.)
4. Body: Results 10 points
 Are all relevant hard facts included to provide the reader with a clear picture of the issue?
 Are there sufficient primary data to support the argument (statistics, maps, time lines,
official documents etc.)?
 Are there sufficient secondary data to support the argument?
 Is the relevant literature presented logically?
 Does the literature also include domestic sources when applicable?
5. Body: Analysis 10 points
 Is there a convincing, logical interpretation of the results?

 Are there arguments for or against the literature?

 Are hard data explained/interpreted to answer the RQ?
6. Conclusions and Recommendations (as appropriate) 5 points
 Is a clear answer to the RQ formulated?
 Is the relevance of the answer discussed?
 Are the recommendations, when appropriate, sufficiently detailed and specific?
8. Annotated bibliography 5 points
 Are all entries used in the text listed in alphabetical order?
 Is the formatting of entries in APA style?
 Is the credibility of each source evaluated?
 Is the CRAAP test applied?
 Are at least 10 sources included in the bibliography, 5 of which are academic (the
bibliography cannot consist exclusively of websites)
Referencing 10 points

 Are the in-text references in the required APA formatting (last name, year, page number)?
 Are all in-text references in the same format?
 Are page/paragraph numbers always included after a direct quote?
 Are signal phrases appropriately used to introduce quotes and paraphrases?
 Are in-text references properly used throughout the text when required and not only at the
end of a paragraph?
 Are no more than two successive paragraphs drawn from a single source?
Formatting and Style 5 points
 Does the paper include the required running head?
 Does the heading include the short title and the page numbers?
 Is the table of content included?
 Is the font style clear and readable (size 11 or 12)?
 Is the text justified throughout?
 Is there 1 ½ spacing between lines and normal margins?
 Are the sections following one another without blank spaces (each section not on a new pg)?
 Does the title page include all required info (full title, name of student, ID number)?
 Does the paper fall within the 6 to 8 page range?
 Is the level of English adequate so as not to hinder the communication of ideas and
arguments?

Total number of points ….. points earned out of 60 points possible

Final Mark: Total number of points divided by 6: