Using Peer reviewed journals, trade journals and periodicals, discuss an aspect of stress that is of
interest to the student. Research the topic. You should have a minimum of 5 sources total. Three references must be from academic, peer-reviewed journals. Two references may be trade
journals, new articles or personal interviews. DO NOT use general webpages such as wikis .
Invalid references will not be counted and will reduce points.
The paper is to be a minimum of three (3) (excluding bibliography) and a Maximum of five (5)
double-spaced pages in length using APA format. Title pages do not count toward this total
length.
The topic of your paper is up to you. However, the topic must involve something related to
stress.
If you would like approval of research paper topics, please feel free to email me.
The rubric for the paper can be found at the end of this syllabus.
It is IMPERATIVE that students adhere to accepted practices when writing a scholarly paper.
This includes proper tense, grammatical structure and documentation concomitant with the
chosen documentation style. Assistance with the paper may be found in the writing center.
Term Paper Reminders:
1. MUST BE original work (cannot be a paper from a previous class)
2. Paper must be in APA format (Abstract is not required)
3. Stress topic of interest to the student
4. 5 pages max
5. Typed (Double spaced and Times New Roman font)
6. Bibliography in APA style
7. MUST be turned in via Blackboard in either a doc. or pdf. format. NO emailed or hard copies
will be accepted
8. Must be neat, original, well referenced, informative, specific, creative, and be respectful of the intellectual property rights of others.
Research papers that are submitted after the due date will receive a penalty of (-10 points) for
every 24 hours that the paper is submitted late. For example, once you miss the initial due date,
you will lose 10 points. 24 hours from this point, you will lose an additional 10 points and so on.
Grading Rubric for Research Paper
Level 1 –
Unsatisfactory
Level 2 –
Needs
Improvement
Level 3 –
Satisfactory
Level 4 –
Good
Level 5 –
Excellent
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 5 (5%)
Points Range:
6 (6%) – 6 (6%)
Points Range:
7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Points Range:
8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Points Range:
9 (9%) – 10 (10%)
Introduction
and Thesis
Statement
The introduction is
not included or
offers no clear
identification of the
main topic or
structure of the
paper. Thesis
statement is
incomplete,
unfocused, and/or
missing.
The introduction
attempts to lead
to the main topic
but may not
adequately
present the
structure of the
paper. Thesis
statement
attempts to state
the paper’s
purpose in a
single sentence,
but it needs
improvement in
clarity, focus,
and/or
conciseness.
The introduction
somewhat leads
to the main topic
but may need
some
clarification; it
somewhat
adequately
presents the
structure of the
paper. Thesis
statement states
the paper’s
purpose in a
single sentence,
but it needs
improvement.
The introduction
leads to the main
topic and
presents the
structure of the
paper. Thesis
statement
somewhat clearly
states the
paper’s purpose
in a single
sentence.
The introduction
is engaging,
leads to the main
topic, and
presents the
structure of the
paper. Thesis
statement clearly
and concisely
states the
paper’s purpose
in a single
sentence that is
engaging and
thoughtprovoking.
Total Points
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 14 (14%)
Points Range:
15 (15%) –
17 (17%)
Points Range:
18 (18%) –
19 (19%)
Points Range:
20 (20%) –
22 (22%)
Points Range:
23 (23%) –
25 (25%)
Review of
Literature
A literature review
is present, but
ideas are not
always connected,
do not flow, and
may not be related
to the topic. There
is little to no
analysis or
synthesis of ideas.
Quotations may
often be used
instead of
summaries or
synthesis of ideas.
The literature
review is present;
however, analysis
or synthesis of all
materials needs
improvement.
Transitions and
flow may be
somewhat
choppy. Some
quotations are
used instead of
summaries or
synthesis of
ideas.
The literature
review is
present, but
analysis or
synthesis of
some materials
may need
improvement.
Transitions and
flow could be
improved. Some
quotations are
used instead of
summaries or
synthesis of
ideas.
The literature
review is present,
but analysis or
synthesis of one
or two materials
may be
somewhat
lacking.
Transition and
flow may not
always be
perfectly smooth.
Quoted materials
are used only
when the specific
wording is itself
crucial to
conveying an
author’s point of
view.
The literature
review is present
and presents a
critical analysis
and synthesis of
the existing
research.
Transition and
flow are smooth.
Quoted materials
are used only
when the specific
wording is itself
crucial to
conveying an
author’s point of
view
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 8 (8%)
Points Range:
9 (9%) – 10 (10%)
Points Range:
11 (11%) –
11 (11%)
Points Range:
12 (12%) –
13 (13%)
Points Range:
14 (14%) –
15 (15%)
References
The majority of
sources used are
not academically
reliable. Reference
entries and in-text
citations follow
APA formatting
guidelines, but
many errors are
present.
Some peerreviewed papers
are used along
with nonacademically
reliable sources.
Reference entries
and in-text
citations follow
APA formatting
guidelines,
although some
errors may be
present. Many
materials listed
are cited and vice
versa.
Most sources
used are peerreviewed
papers, though
two or more
sources are not
academically
reliable.
Reference
entries and intext citations
follow APA
formatting
guidelines and
are usually
correct. Most
materials listed
are cited and
vice versa.
The number of
sources meets
the assignment
requirements,
and all but one
source is a peerreviewed paper.
Reference
entries and intext citations
follow APA
formatting
guidelines and
are mostly
correct. All
materials listed
are cited and
vice versa.
The number of
sources meets or
exceeds the
assignment
requirements.
Every source
used is peerreviewed or
academic in
nature.
Reference
entries and intext citations
follow APA
formatting
guidelines and
are free of errors.
All materials
listed are cited
and vice versa.
Total Points
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Points Range:
12 (12%) –
13 (13%)
Points Range:
14 (14%) –
15 (15%)
Points Range:
16 (16%) –
17 (17%)
Points Range:
18 (18%) –
20 (20%)
Page 12 of 13
Research
Method
The research
method is not
entirely supported
by recent
literature, or
appropriate
statistical analysis
is not appropriate
for the topic or is
not feasible.
The research
method is
somewhat
justified by similar
and recent
studies and
seems to be
confirmed via
statistical analysis
when appropriate
to the research
question, but it
may not be
feasible or
justifiable in all
respects.
The research
method is
generally
justified by
similar and
recent studies
and seems to be
confirmed via
statistical
analysis when
appropriate to
the research
question, but it
may have
elements that
could be
improved.
The research
method is
justified by
similar and
recent studies
and confirmed
via statistical
analysis when
appropriate to
the research
question, but it
may have
elements that
could be
improved.
The research
method is
justified by
similar and
recent studies
and confirmed
via statistical
analysis when
appropriate to
the research
question.
Total Points
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Points Range:
12 (12%) –
13 (13%)
Points Range:
14 (14%) –
15 (15%)
Points Range:
16 (16%) –
17 (17%)
Points Range:
18 (18%) –
20 (20%)
Result and
Summary
Results are
missing or
incorrect data is
provided; many
elements may be
missing, incorrect,
and/or lack
analysis. Errors of
experimentation
may be incorrect
or absent. A
summary is
missing; if present,
it fails to review or
summarize key
points and provide
a smooth
transition to the
next section.
All data is
recorded and
organized
somewhat clearly.
Some visible
observations may
be missing.
Analysis of data is
provided but may
contain some
errors. Some
errors of
experimentation
are provided. A
summary is
present, but
review/summary
may be missing a
few key points
and transitions
may lack
smoothness.
All data is
recorded and
organized fairly
clearly. Many
visible
observations are
provided.
Analysis of data
is provided but
may contain a
few errors.
Errors of
experimentation
are provided. A
summary is
present, but
review/summary
may be missing
one or two key
points.
Transitions may
need some
improvement.
All data is
recorded and
organized fairly
clearly. Most or
all visible
observations are
provided.
Analysis of data
is provided but
may contain one
or two errors.
Errors of
experimentation
are provided. A
summary is
present, but
review/summary
of key points
and/or transitions
may need some
improvement.
All data is
recorded and
organized in a
clear manner. All
visible
observations are
provided, along
with complete
and correct
analysis of data.
Errors of
experimentation
are provided. A
summary is
present that
reviews or
summarizes key
points and
provides a
smooth transition
between
sections.
Total Points
Points Range:
0 (0%) – 5 (5%)
Points Range:
6 (6%) – 6 (6%)
Points Range:
7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Points Range:
8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Points Range:
9 (9%) – 10 (10%)
Grammar and
Format
Writing lacks
clarity and
conciseness.
Significant
problems with
sentence structure
and grammar.
Numerous major
and/or minor
errors in
punctuation and
spelling. Research
paper format is not
used, or
appropriate format
is used, but
several elements
are missing or
incorrect. A lack of
formatting control
is apparent.
Writing lacks
clarity or
conciseness.
Minor problems
with sentence
structure and
some
grammatical
errors. Several
minor errors in
punctuation and
spelling.
Appropriate
research paper
format is used.
APA formatting is
generally correct,
although four to
five minor errors
may be present.
Writing is fairly
clear and
concise. Minor
errors in
sentence
structure and
grammar may
be present. Few
minor errors are
evident in
punctuation
and/or spelling.
Appropriate
research paper
format is used.
There are a few
minor errors in
formatting
according to
APA guidelines.
Writing is mostly
clear and
concise.
Sentence
structure and
grammar are
strong and
mostly correct.
Few minor errors
are evident in
punctuation
and/or spelling.
Appropriate
research paper
format is fully
used. There are
one-three minor
errors in
formatting
according to APA
guidelines.
Writing is clear
and concise.
Sentence
structure and
grammar are
excellent.
Correct use of
punctuation. No
spelling errors.
Appropriate
research paper
format is fully
used, and all
formatting of the
paper is correct
according to APA
guidelines
