Topic Approval Scoring Rubric

Instructions for mentor: Assign a rating for each of the criteria below by highlighting the rating that corresponds to your evaluation of the dissertation research plan. Provide written feedback below each criterion that clearly substantiates the rating you assigned. You may also use the feedback area to point to strengths and opportunities, as well as to offer suggestions or resources.

Criteria	Non-Performance	Basic	Proficient	Distinguished
The research topic is appropriate for the specialization and correctly formed: Key concepts or phenomena are stated in appropriate language; Relationships between/among the concepts are clearly specified (for example, correlation). The target population is named; the concepts are appropriately focused. DRP (1.1)	One or more elements of the topic statement are incorrectly formed. Topic not endorsed by learner’s specialization/program.	All elements of the topic statement are correctly formed, but one or more elements are unclear or too broadly focused. The topic is great but not well defined. Consider rephrasing it so as to show how the two variables correlate. The target population also is stated. However, the area of specialization is not defined in order to determine if the topic is appropriate. Consider first stating the specialization area before stating the topic.	The research topic is appropriate for the specialization and correctly formed: Key concepts or phenomena are stated in appropriate language; Relationships between/among the concepts are clearly specified (for example, correlation). The target population is named; the concepts are appropriately focused. DRP (1.1)	All elements are exceptionally well-formed, eloquently stated and appropriately focused; and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar, usage or spelling. Topic is appropriate for the specialization/program.
Mentor feedback:
The research problem is correctly stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied. DRP (1.2, 2.1)	The research problem statement lacks either a summary of what is known or a summary of what is not known, or the research problem itself is not explicitly stated.	Both key findings and gaps or problems in the existing are stated, but the research problem itself is not explicitly stated. The research problem is not explicitly stated. After summarizing the existing literature of the issue, identify the gaps then state what your research will address in one statement. The statement should redirect the reader to the need of your study.	The research problem is correctly stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied. (1.2, 2.1)	The research problem is eloquently stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized and well supported; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied, and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar usage, or spelling.
Mentor feedback:
The research questions are correctly formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis. DRP [2.2]	The research questions are not aligned with the research problem, research topic, title, and/or analyses.	The research questions are aligned with one or more, but not all of the other elements of the study (research problem, research topic, title, and/or analyses). The stated question does not align with the research problem. Besides, only one question is stated; you should state other separate research questions alongside the primary question. Make sure to align all your questions with the topic, title, and research problem.	The research questions are correctly formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis.	The research questions are exceptionally well-formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis, and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar usage, or spelling.
Mentor Feedback:
The basic methodology and basic design are named and are correctly selected for the research problem and question. DRP [2.4]	Either the basic methodology or the basic design are unnamed.	The basic methodology and design are named but one or both are incorrect for the research problem and question.	The basic methodology and design are named and both are correctly selected for the research problem and question. The method and the design are great. However, you may consider using both qualitative and quantitative methods because of the nature of the purpose of the study and the selected population. The study may require the participants to disclose their confidential information like why they choose to stay child-free. The quantitative method can be the use of a questionnaire.	The basic methodology and design are named and are correctly selected for the research problem and question. Their selection is logical and well supported.
Mentor feedback:
The title is correctly formed: It is aligned with the research question, it reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied, it reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less). DRP [2.5]	One or more elements of the title are incorrectly formed.	All elements of the title are correctly formed, but one or more elements are not aligned with the other elements of the study.	The title is correctly formed: It is aligned with the research question, it reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied, it reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less).   The title is well-framed corresponding with the question, problem, topic, and states the method but if you can include the specific population could be greater, for example, “Hispanic middle-aged women because you had stated this earlier.	The title is exceptionally well-formed, eloquently stated, and fully aligned with the research question; It reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied; It reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less).
Mentor feedback:
The writing in each item is sufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains few editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, et cetera) errors. (ALL)	The writing is insufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains more than two editorial or mechanical errors per page.	The writing is sufficiently scholarly in tone and contains fewer than two editorial or mechanical errors per five pages.	The writing in each item is sufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains few editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, et cetera) errors. (ALL) The overall writing in each section is scholarly, you have used scholarly terms. You only need to correct a few errors like punctuation.	The writing in each item, is sufficiently scholarly in tone and in, and contains no editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, et cetera) errors.
Mentor feedback:
Sources and references are correctly formatted using current APA edition. (ALL)	Sources and references are not correctly formatted using current 6th edition.	Sources and/or references are inconsistently formatted according to current APA edition format standards, containing more than two errors.	Sources and references are correctly formatted using current APA edition. (ALL) The sources and references are correctly formatted. Consider adding ‘n.p’ for sources without page numbers.	A minimum of 10 sources are correctly formatted according to the current APA edition and has no errors.
Mentor Feedback:

The dissertation is generally well-written. The major areas of concern are rephrasing the research topic, problem statement, and adding separate research questions. Kindly, before proceeding to section 2, rephrase the topic and problem statement and email me for approval. Nevertheless, all the other sections are well formulated and I look forward to a great dissertation from you. Thank you.