Scoring Rubric for Ph.D Comprehensive Exam (College of Marine Science) – (PhD Outcome 1)

Student______Date______Committee Member______

Circle the appropriated boxes in each category. Each student’s performance will be scored in five categories: Understanding of Questions, Response to Questions, Support, Organization, and Language. The committee’s ranking will be based upon a five point scale (5 = Exemplary, 4 = Strong, 3 = Competent, 2 = Marginal, 1 = Unacceptable). The minimum successful score will be “Competent” or better from a majority of the Committee, with no score being “Unacceptable”.

Understanding of Questions Response to Questions Support Organization Language y r a l p Provides substantial, well- Responses contain appropriate, m Responses to questions are Apt and precise diction, e Responds incisively and directly chosen evidence (research or clear and adequate transitions x specific, defendable, and syntactic variety, clear E to the questions asked. textual citations) used between sentences and –

complex. command of Standard English.

5 strategically. paragraphs. g n

o Responses contain distinct units

r Some mechanical difficulties; t of thought in paragraphs, S Responses to question are more Provides sufficient and occasional problematic word –

Most responses are direct and coherently arranged; occasional

4 general, but still accurate; appropriate evidence and, choices or awkward syntax relevant to the questions asked. weakness in transitions between analyses go beyond the obvious. makes effort to contextualize it. errors; occasional grammar sentences, paragraphs or errors; some wordiness. thoughts. t n

e Responses are uneven; Occasional major grammar t Responses to questions are e Responds adequately to the paragraphs sometimes effective, errors (e.g., agreement, tense); p overly general and Provides some evidence but not

m questions asked; occasionally but others are brief, weakly frequent minor grammar errors

o disorganized; may have some always relevant, sufficient, or

C responds with unrelated unified, or undeveloped; some (e.g., prepositions, articles); factual, interpretive, or integrated into the response. – information. awkward or missing transitions occasional imprecise diction; 3 conceptual errors. between thoughts. awkward syntax; wordiness. l a n

i Frequent major and minor g

r grammar problems; frequent a Evidence usually only narrative

M Confuses some significant Responses to questions are imprecise diction; wordiness; or anecdotal; awkwardly or Repetitive, wanders. –

concepts in the questions asked. vague or irrelevant. awkward syntax; repetitive

2 incorrectly incorporated. sentence patterns; problems impede meaning. e l b a t

p Numerous grammatical errors e

c Responses are arbitrary or not and stylistic problems; English c Does not understand questions No discernable response to most Little or no evidence cited to a structured, illogical or not overwhelmingly n and/or concepts. questions given. support responses. U

coherent. non- Standard; errors in every – sentence 1