Rubric
Research Paper Rubric: Anthropology 140 Spring 2021 Contra Costa College
grading rubric standards and points
Paper Segment
Description
Percent
Point value
Scoring: see scoring standards below
Introduction
Introduction to the problem/ thesis.
10%
15 points
A-F
Background and history of the research
Research/ source heavy. Should include all aspects of the history of the site or field for full points.
15%
22 points
A-F
Current state of research and analysis
Details the current situation- research and source heavy
20%
30 points
A-F
Schools of Thought
Details at least 2 researchers who do not agree. Research and source heavy- student will take a side in the paper and research
20%
30 Points
A-F
Research Plan for the next step and conclusion
Student demonstrates mastery of the scientific method and research strategies and how to apply. Effective conclusion.
15%
23 points
A-F
Short Story: a fictional account of the discovery or other aspect of the research
Student will show mastery of the topic by ‘telling the story’ of aspect of the research- researcher making the discovery, ancient life, primates’ events, etc… this story must be unique to the student and by the student.
Seriously: I am looking for a topical short story- not a summary of the research.
20%
30 points
A-F
Specific Requirements for acceptance:
Length:
minimum 1500 words (about 6 pages double-spaced. Shorter papers will have their points pro-rated, if they are accepted, at the instructor’s sole discretion.
Sourcing:
Two of the instructor provided sources must be used, both in text and on the source page.
Two sources must be provided by the student, and they must date to within 4 years of the Paper Submission Date.
That means there must be at least 4 sources for the paper for the paper to be accepted.
Paper must be sourced both in text and on a source page. Without these sources, the paper will not be accepted for scoring.
Originality:
Anything over 30% on the originality check will be carefully analyzed for evidence of copying, and the instructor’s decision on whether to accept the paper or not will be final.
Submission:
Papers will not be accepted after the date and time posted in the syllabus.
Must be submitted to Canvas through “Turn-It-In” and will not be accepted by any other means of submission, without a clear technical reason why, and the instructor’s decision will be final.
Topics:
The topics offered are the only ones which will be accepted. Some leeway will be offered within the topics based on the students’ area of interest and source selection, but this is not an open topic paper- you must choose from this list.
Scoring Standards Scale and Description
A 100-95%: complete, excellent comprehension demonstrated, particularly insightful and detailed; fully legible and formatting with dignity. Perfect.
A-94-90%: complete, full comprehension demonstrated. Excellent work, could benefit from some polishing to achieve perfection.
B 89-80%: complete, above satisfactory comprehension demonstrated, minor errors. Very good work.
C 79-70% : complete or mostly complete, satisfactory comprehension demonstrated, some errors. Basically acceptable, paying more attention to detail and completion will increase scores in the future.
D 69-60%: incomplete, or some incomprehension apparent in assignment through errors, factual errors, rushed.
F 59-50%: largely incomplete, and/or with major errors. Below average comprehension demonstrated.
Incomplete: 49-0%: largely incomplete, or with errors. Scored on a pro-rated point scale at instructor’s discretion.
0: No sources, copied from another’s work, does not meet the stated requirements for acceptance.
DNA and the Fossil Record: tracking our ancestors
Denisovan DNA in Melanesia
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/352/6282/235.full
(Links to an external site.)
Colombia: oral history supported by DNA in Congo ancestry
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2015.2980
(Links to an external site.)
An African American Paternal Lineage Adds an Extremely Ancient Root to the Human Y Chromosome Phylogenetic Tree
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002929713000736
(Links to an external site.)
(suggestion for sourcing: https://johnhawks.net/
(Links to an external site.)
is a blog by an anthropologist- searchable, active, includes links to original articles)
At least 2 of the above sources must be used.
Last Completed Projects
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