Q Unit 3 Course Spanning Task: Research problem statement & annotated bibliography Research and composition tasks: For more information on research problem statements, annotated bibliographies and scholarly research strategies consult the assigned study guides. Guidelines for the research problem statement: Regarding content and structure, your research problem statement should conform to the general description outlined in the guiding materials. It should be a carefully composed paragraph between 200-250 words in length describing the essence of your research. Precision, clarity, and specificity are fundamental. Skip the fluff, rhetorical scene-setting, “Captain Obvious” statements and vagaries. If the sentence does not tell the reader something critical to know in order to understand your topic of exploration, leave it out. As you edit your draft, look at each term you use, each clause in every sentence, and the validity of the assumptions you present as facts. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of this paragraph. If you can describe a very focused topic of investigation, your instructor can provide specific feedback on how to further your research. In a research paper, one asks a question, objectively examines evidence, and draws a conclusion based upon the evidence. Guidelines for the annotated references: • At least eight (8) annotations are required. o These eight sources are in addition to you the two included in your initial topic description (Unit 1). • Annotations should be in the form of concise paragraphs (at least 100 words each) placed directly beneath the full APA reference for the source being annotated. • The annotation should provide a brief summary of the article and identify how this article contributes to your research. • Sources must be listed in alphabetical order. If you include direct quotations in your annotations, be sure to (a) cite the quotes correctly, (b) integrate the quotes into the annotation paragraph effectively, and (c) limit the quoted text to no more than 10% of your annotation (no more than 10 words out of 100). • ALL references should come from peer-reviewed journal articles published in the last ten years. Use the OU library e-journals to locate your journals. Peer-review is when a journal sends a proposed article to other experts in the field for their review prior to selection for publication. • Include a reference page listing all references in APA format. This will be an initial draft of your reference page Document format: Your submitted document should begin with your research problem statement. Provide your annotated bibliography beneath. Include in-text citations in the annotations. No additional details were added for this assignment. Rubric Problem Statement and Annotated Bibliography Rubric Problem Statement and Annotated Bibliography Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch Problem Statement 15 to >12.0 pts Excellent The research problem statement clearly presents existing information on the topic, observations on that information, and the specific purpose and objective of the research paper. The problem statement is clearly positioned as investigative instead of argumentative. 12 to >8.0 pts Good The research problem statement presents existing information on the topic. Observations may be included. The purpose and objective of the research paper may be specific. The problem statement is investigative but may have elements of argumentation. 8 to >4.0 pts Fair The research problem statement presented little existing information on the topic. Observations may be included. The purpose and objective of the research paper were present but could have been more specific. The problem statement is more argumentative than investigative. 4 to >0 pts Needs Improvement The research problem statement was meandering and did not present the problem meaningfully. Observations were missing. The purpose and objective were unclear. The problem statement was argumentative instead of investigative. 15 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCitations and Annotations 15 to >12.0 pts Excellent At least ten references with annotations were provided. All references were to scholarly sources. The annotations were at least 100 words long, written well, and clearly connected the sources with the research problem statement. 12 to >8.0 pts Good At least eight references with annotations were provided. Most references were to scholarly sources. Most annotations were at least 100 words long, but all were written well and connected the sources with the research problem statement. 8 to >4.0 pts Fair At least five references with annotations were provided. At least half the references were to scholarly sources. A few annotations were at least 100 words long. They were written somewhat well but did not clearly connect the sources with the research problem statement. 4 to >0 pts Needs Improvement Fewer than five references with annotations were provided. Few or none of the references were to scholarly sources. Annotations if present were consistently fewer than 100 words long. Annotations are weakly or not connected with the research problem statement. 15 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar and Style 5 pts Excellent There were no errors in grammar, mechanics, usage, spelling, or APA style. 5 to >4.0 pts Good There were a few errors in grammar, mechanics, usage, spelling, or APA style. 4 to >2.0 pts Fair There were several errors in grammar, mechanics, usage, spelling, or APA style. 2 to >0 pts Needs Improvement There were many errors in grammar, mechanics, usage, spelling, or APA style. 5 pts Total Points: 35