LibGuides: Outstanding Research Paper Competition: Competition Rules and Rubric

Competition Requirements

Attention OCC Students!

Have you written an outstanding research paper for an OCC class?

The OCC Libraries are once again rewarding outstanding student work. Thanks to our co-sponsor, the OCC Foundation, the award amounts this year are:

1st place = $ 250
2nd place = $150
3rd place = $ 100

Make your hard work pay off and submit your paper!

Here are the competition details:

Research papers will have been written for an OCC course during the Winter 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025 semesters.
Students may submit only one paper

First day to submit your paper:

Monday, December 1, 2025

Last day to submit our paper:

Monday, February 2, 2026

Evaluation Criteria

What makes a research paper outstanding? Review the evaluation criteria that will be used to judge research papers.

I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET
(Any item not checked means the paper will be eliminated from the competition.)

Paper submitted by the deadline
Written for an OCC Class in the Winter, Summer, or Fall 2025 semester.
Minimum of 5 pages in length, excluding the Works Cited or References page(s).
Written in own words (except for quotations and paraphrasing.)

II. FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
(Maximum points possible: 30)

Five references are from the OCC Libraries (Books, e-books, database articles, videos) | Maximum points possible: 10
Variety of references | Maximum points possible: 5
Consistency in citations (style usage is consistent) | Maximum points possible: 10
Neatness | Maximum points possible: 5

III. CONTENT
(Maximum points possible: 70)

Demonstrates sufficiently developed content | Maximum points possible: 15
Evaluates authority | Maximum points possible: 15
Uses information ethically | Maximum points possible: 15
Synthesizes information and incorporates source material | Maximum points possible: 15
Grammar and spelling are correct | Maximum points possible: 10

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 100

Evaluation Criteria and Rubric (PDF)

Content Rubric

	Behavior Absent 0 points	Behavior Emerging 1-5 points	Behavior Developing 6-10 points	Behavior Present 11-15 points
Demonstrates sufficiently developed content	Writing does not address main idea presented in thesis or introductory statement, many underdeveloped points; claims lack support.	Writing addresses main idea presented in thesis or introductory statement. Limited development of points; weak support of claims.	Writing addresses main idea presented in thesis or introductory statement. Some points developed with insights and analysis; adequate support of claims.	Writing thoroughly addresses ideas presented in thesis or introductory statement. Points completely developed with insights and analysis. All claims fully supported with relevant evidence.

	Behavior Absent 0 points	Behavior Emerging 1-5 points	Behavior Developing 6-10 points	Behavior Present 11-15 points
Evaluates authority	Does not recognize that information resources reflect their authors’ expertise and credibility. Uses one source or no sources.	Minimally recognizes that information resources reflect their authors’ expertise and credibility. Uses minimal sources suitable for academic work.	Moderately recognizes that information resources reflect their authors’ expertise and credibility. Uses some sources suitable for academic work.	Fully recognizes that information resources reflect their authors’ expertise and credibility. Uses diverse sources suitable for academic work.

	Behavior Absent 0 points	Behavior Emerging 1-5 points	Behavior Developing 6-10 points	Behavior Present 11-15 points
Uses information ethically	Does not credit the original ideas of others through proper citation in the assignment.	Infrequently credits the original ideas of others through proper citation in the assignment.	More frequently credits the original ideas of others through proper citation in the assignment.	Consistently credits the original ideas of others through proper citation in the assignment.

	Behavior Absent 0 points	Behavior Emerging 1-5 points	Behavior Developing 6-10 points	Behavior Present 11-15 points
Synthesizes information and incorporates source material	Does not synthesize ideas and uses only one or two sources despite assignment instructions. Unintentional plagiarism.	Minimally understands how to synthesize ideas and uses more than two sources. Problems in use of source material.	Moderately understands how to synthesize information from multiple sources. Source material used adequately and accurately.	Gathers and synthesizes material from multiple sources and meets or exceeds the scope of the assignment. Source material incorporated insightfully.

	Behavior Absent 0 points	Behavior Emerging 1-3 points	Behavior Developing 4-7 points	Behavior Present 8-10 points
Usage of grammar and mechanics	Multiple errors distract reader and impede understanding of content. Lack of notation.	Patterns of error are noticeable on each page. Errors marginally distract reader and impede understanding of some content. Improper notation used.	Patterns of error are noticeable, but only mildly distracting, and do not impede understanding of content. Notation used with minor mistakes.	Infrequent errors that do not interfere with understanding of content. Correct notation used.