Florida International University

Department of Biological Sciences

Scoring criteria for written work

Content and Critical Thinking

A.   Scientific reasoning and problem solving

[ 4 ]   Explains clearly, thoroughly and concisely how scientific reasoning can be used to answer a biological question.

[ 3 ]   Explains only in a general way how scientific reasoning can be used to answer a biological question.

[ 2 ]   Has difficulty explaining how scientific reasoning can be used to answer a biological question.

[ 1 ]   Unable to explain how scientific reasoning is applied to biological questions.   Cannot identify problems or approaches for solution.

B.   Content

[ 4 ]   Introduction is relevant and thorough.   Significance of topic is explained, content is focused.   Conclusions are well supported.

[ 3 ]   Introduction is relevant, but limited.   Significance of topic is mentioned, content occasionally unfocused.   Conclusions are mostly supported.

[ 2 ]   Introduction sketchy or unrelated, with little other content, which tends to digress.   Conclusions are poorly supported.

[ 1 ]   No introduction, or exclusively introductory content.   Does not address the significance of topic, content is unfocused.   Conclusions are either not offered or unsupported.

C.   Logical organization

[ 4 ]   Presents information in logical sequence, at an appropriate level that holds reader interest.

[ 3 ]   Presents information in a mostly logical sequence, at an appropriate level that a general reader can follow.

[ 2 ]   Presentation of information is somewhat disjointed.   Some material is not relevant to the topic.

[ 1 ]   Information is not presented logically or is presented at an inappropriate level.   Material is not related to the topic.

D.   Use of biological terms and concepts

[ 4 ]   Excellent use of biological terminology and concepts.

[ 3 ]   Generally correct application of biological terminology and concepts.

[ 2 ]   Some incorrect applications of biological terminology and limited understanding of biological concepts.

[ 1 ]   Incorrect use of biological terminology, poor understanding of biological concepts.

E.   Use of references

[ 4 ]   All references are correctly cited in the body of the paper and in the reference list.   Most references are to the primary literature.

[ 3 ]   Most references are correctly cited in the body of the paper and in the reference list.   Many references are to the primary literature.

[ 2 ]   Some references are correctly cited in the body of the paper and in the reference list.   Uses few references to the primary literature.

[ 1 ]   Either no citations, no reference list, or all references are entirely from secondary or non-scientific literature sources.

Presentation

A.   Mechanics

[ 4 ]   Proper sentence structure and word usage.   No grammatical errors or misspellings.

[ 3 ]   Generally proper sentence structure and word usage.   Few grammatical errors and misspellings.

[ 2 ]   Some difficulty with sentence structure and word usage.   More than a few grammatical errors and misspellings.

[ 1 ]   Incorrect sentence structure and word usage.   Many grammatical errors and misspellings.

B.   Format

[ 4 ]   Conforms to assignment format guidelines with regard to length, margins, font size, binding, and figures (if required).

[ 3 ]   Mostly conforms to assignment format guidelines.

[ 2 ]   Conforms somewhat to assignment format guidelines.

[ 1 ]   Too short or too long.   Does not conform to assignment guidelines.