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BIOC 311 Research Paper Rubric
Abstract (10 points)
- identifies the goal and significance of the project
- describes the approach (methods used are identified)
- reports specific data (e.g., specific activity and molecular mass)
- offers a conclusion and/or recommendation
- appropriate depth, stands alone (single paragraph, 250 words or less)
Introduction (20 points)
- relevant context of the problem is given, clear point of departure
- goal is clearly included as a hypothesis, question, or statement
- approach is described and justified
- excessive background information is excluded
- appropriate depth
Materials and Methods (15 points)
- appropriate level of detail, identity of materials
- appropriate depth/content, accurate
- logical order, use/choice of subheadings
- procedural details are not specific to a single possible result
- ALL relevant procedures included
Results (20 points)
- organization, choice of visuals/data (excludes raw data and analytical tools such as standard curves)
- text summarizes major findings & references figures and tables by name/number
- minimal or no interpretation included, appropriate depth
- professionally formatted table (use of rule lines, title placement, headings with correct units, numerical alignment), "stand alone"
- figures include properly formatted figure caption/labels (e.g., identifies gel composition, lane contents, sizes of standards, and bands of interest), "stand alone"
- kinetics data presented clearly and accurately, including statistical analysis of Km's
- accurate analysis, precision considered in all numerical data
- acknowledgement of source of data
Discussion (20 points)
- opens by reorienting reader to research goal/significance
- organization: overall; same order as Results
- accuracy and clarity of interpretation
- integration of biochemical theory
- comparison of data with published studies
- distinct conclusions supported by data
- ends with a final conclusion that relates to the overall goal
- appropriate depth
References (5 points)
- cited both within text and in References section
- consistent formatting in citations, correct format
used
- Introduction: appropriate and relevant
- Materials and Methods: appropriate and relevant
- Discussion: appropriate and relevant
Professional Writing Style (10 points)
- follows Instructions to Authors
- clarity and terminology use
- coherent flow of information appropriate for genre
- sentence/paragraph structure, consistent formatting
- grammar/spelling, proofread for errors
Copyright, Acknowledgements,
and Intended Use
Created by B. Beason (bbeason@rice.edu), Rice University, 17 December 2004
Updated 21 April 2015