Special thanks to Jeri Hurd (@jerihurd) for modifying the work of Graff and Berkenstein with Criterion C in mind.
Criterion C: Critical thinking
Criterion C comprises 12 of the possible 34 points, making it the criterion that matters most--as it should.
This criterion assesses the extent to which critical-thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.
To score in the highest band (10-12), you need to achieve the following:
The research is excellent.
• The research is appropriate to the research question and its application to support the argument is consistently relevant.
Analysis is excellent.
• The research is analysed effectively and clearly focused on the research question; the inclusion of less relevant research does not significantly detract from the quality of the overall analysis.
• Conclusions to individual points of analysis are effectively supported by the evidence.
Discussion/evaluation is excellent.
• An effective and focused reasoned argument is developed from the research with a conclusion reflective of the evidence presented.
• This reasoned argument is well structured and coherent; any minor inconsistencies do not hinder the strength of the overall argument or the final or summative conclusion.
• The research has been critically evaluated.