Chapter 1: IntroductionA. Statement of the Research Question:Scope and focus of the questionRelevance/importance of the questionImportance of the question to author and educational communityAnchored in the professional literatureStatement of limitsChapter 2: Historical BackgroundDepth and level of integration of discussionHow effectively chapter traces evolution of problemClarity of connections to rationaleChapter 3: Integrative Review of the LiteratureExtent of research and depth of analysisChapter 4: ConclusionConnections to historical background of question are clearRecommendations and conclusions clearly anchored in the research reviewed in chapter 3Statement of unanswered questions/ Areas for future researchCitation and Formatting conventionsName: _________________DEVELOPMENTAL DESCRIPTORS FOR THE MASTER’S PROJECTChapter 1: IntroductionA. Statement of the Research Question:Scope and focus of the question□ Allows exploration of issues and provides manageable focus for this master’s paper. □ Question either allows for exploration OR provides focus but not both. □ Question neither allows for exploration nor provides focus. Relevance/importance of the question□ The questions directly relate to classroom practice. Answering the question has the potential for helping you become a more effective teacher. The answer matters in children’s lives. □ The answer to the question is unlikely to significantly inform your classroom practice. □ Either the question is not related to classroom practice and/or it insufficiently addresses the needs of the children you are likely to teach. B. RationaleImportance of the question to author and educational community□ a succinct explanation of the importance of the problem to you, AND a discussion and balanced overview (not skewed towards one point-of-view)of the importance of the question to the educational community □ one of the above reasons for doing the project is missing or vague □ no clear reason for doing the project Description of controversies□ a description of existing controversies or conflicts that your paper will need to address□ a partially developed description of existing controversies and conflicts or a skewed presentation of the current status of the problem □ little or no reference to existing conflicts and controversies. Anchored in the professional literature□ a discussion based on information available in the professional literature □ a discussion of the relevance to the professional community based on your opinion, not the professional literature AND/OR□ an incomplete or uneven balance between personal opinion and a literature-based discussion of the importance of the problem to the educational community □ little or no reference to the literature. Statement of limits□ clear definition of terms and statement of limits. □ unclear definition of terms and statement of limits. □ missing definitions or terms and statement of limits.COMMENTS:Chapter 2: Historical BackgroundFocus:□ is specific to your question □ is partially or tangentially connected to your problem OR is too broad □ has few clear connections to your problemDepth and level of integration of discussion□ provides a discussion, based on information in the professional literature, which specifies particular, significant historical bases for your question; elaborates the social, cultural, and/or political contexts related to your question; and connects these historical bases and contexts to each other □ summarizes individual historical events but does not link the events, discuss the implications, or provide clear connections to social and cultural contexts □ states discrete events but does not provide a discussion of significance or connections How effectively chapter traces evolution of problem□ traces the evolution ,in the literature, of the thinking about your problem □ provides insufficient tracing of the evolution of the thinking in the literature about the problem OR insufficiently develops the historical, cultural, and social contexts of the problem □ does not trace the evolution in the literature of the thinking about your problem Clarity of connections to rationale□ is clearly connected to the foreshadowing provided in your rationale. □ is tenuously connected to the foreshadowing provided in the rationale. □ has little or no connection to the rationaleCOMMENTS:Chapter 3: Integrative Review of the LiteratureMajor schools of thought on question based on professional literature□ A description and categorization of the major points of view or “schools of thought ” on your topic/question, as revealed in your search of the professional literature □ a description of some points of view or “schools of thought ” about your question but with few specific APA citations from the professional literature to support your discussion □ The material in this section is based almost exclusively on personal opinion or on professionals ’ opinions with few or no citations or references to research Extent of research and depth of analysis□ Two categories of research may be critiqued to explore the arguments:– A critical review of professional opinions or theories about the topic, usually based on a professional ’s experience with a range of programs/strategies, but not necessarily tied directly to an empirical study. In these instances, you will be analyzing whether the author’s thesis is adequately supported by his/her arguments and examples.– A critical review and analysis of at least 30 empirically based studies --both qualitative and quantitative studies are acceptable □ An analysis and thoughtful discussion presenting your analysis of the current state of knowledge on your question, based on information available in the professional literature, referenced with specific citations in APA form. □ Fewer than ten empirically-based studies included in your review and/or fewer than 30 total studies□ A descriptive summary of specific studies and/or strategies but with little or no critical assessment of their strengths or weaknesses □ an incomplete discussion of what the research and professional literature reveal about your question/topic □ The review includes lists of suggestions/strategies drawn from the literature with little or no critical assessment of the research upon which these recommendations are based. COMMENTS:Chapter 4: ConclusionConnections to historical