Overview: Students will identify a research question of personal interest which can be addressed by one of the Interpersonal Communication theories identified in the class. Students will write a literature review which draws on available Interpersonal Communication research to support that research question. This assignment is the culmination assignment of the course.
Purpose: The literature review demonstrates your familiarity with one of the major theories used in Interpersonal Communication research and your understanding of Communication as one of the social sciences. It also demonstrates your ability to conduct research using scholarly sources and structure evidence to support an argument.
Target Length: 1,250 to 1,750 words in length, not including references (5-7 filled content pages, double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman).
Due: See the course calendar for your section
Detailed Description
Objective
Students identify a research question within the field of Interpersonal Communication and prepare a literature review. The goal is to update the literature review section of an older article to include the newer work you would have to include if you were replicating their work.
Limitations
- You may not choose the same topic as another student. Topics are reserved through Canvas on a first-post basis.
Format
Your paper, including citations, must be formatted according to APA 7th Edition guidelines.
Grading
This project is graded out of 200 points. 160 points come from the final written paper, 20 points come from drafting, and 20 points come from your in-class presentation.
Paper Rubric
The written portion of this assignment is worth 160 points.
| 20 points | 15 points | 10 points | 5 points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles | Information is gathered from 5–9 research-based sources. | Information is gathered from 5–9 sources. | Information is gathered from fewer than 5 sources. | Information is gathered from a single source. |
| Theme | Well organized. Clear structure that places sources into a conversation. | Well organized, but demonstrates serial sequencing or structure. | Weakly organized with no logical sequencing or structure. | No organization, sequencing, or structure. |
| Background / Foundation | Detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. | Conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. | There is some indication of conclusions from the evidence offered. | No conclusions are made from the evidence offered. |
| Research Question | Research question(s) are formed through the literature review and clearly stated. | Research question(s) are formed through the literature review. | Research question(s) were not formed but could be formed through the literature review. | Research question(s) were not formed and are not apparent from the literature review. |
| Reference Section & In-text Citations |
Information is cited properly and in APA 7th Edition format. | Information is cited properly. | Information is cited, but has errors. | Information is not cited or is cited incorrectly. |
| Length | Adheres to 1,250–1,750 words of content. Minimal use of quotes. | Exceeds or does not meet words of content by 125 words or fewer. Minimal use of quotes. | Exceeds or does not meet words of content by 125-250 words. Quotes excessively. | Exceeds or does not meet words of content by 250 words. |
| Format | Font, spacing, and APA format are correct. are correct. | Font and spacing, font and APA, or spacing and APA | Font, spacing, or APA format is correct. | Font, spacing, and APA format are incorrect. |
| Grammar | There are fewer than 3 distracting grammatical errors. | There are 3 distracting grammatical errors. | There are 4 distracting grammatical errors. | There are 5 or more distracting grammatical errors. |
Presentation Rubric
The presentation portion of this assignment is worth 20 points.
| 10 points | 8 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Paper is summarized clearly, completely, in an engaging presentation. | Paper is summarized accurately and completely. | Significant portions of the project are not discussed. | No presentation of substance provided. |
| Questions | Responses to audience questions are clear, complete, and engaging. | Responses to audience questions are generally accurate and understandable. | Responses to audience questions omit significant information. | Student is unable to respond to questions from the audience. |
Draft Rubric
The drafts of this assignment contribute 20 points.
| 10 points | 8 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annotated Bibliography and Outline | Complete Annotated Bib. Outline is appropriate and in complete topic sentences. | Nearly all sources in Annotated Bib. Outline nearly complete. | At least half of required sources in Annotated Bib. Outline includes topic areas only, not sentences. | Not submitted or less than half complete. |
| First Draft | A complete, full-length version of the paper. | First draft is nearly complete or full-length. | First draft is at least half-length. | First draft is less than half-length. |