Texas Tech University

URC Impact Review Rubric

 

Welcome to the Texas Tech University Undergraduate Research Conference! This rubric is provided as a preview to help you prepare your poster presentation and understand the evaluation process. Each conference reviewer will be asked to rate your project across the following dimensions.

Evaluation Overview

Projects are scored out of a total of 65 possible points. Reviewers will also be given the option to leave written feedback and indicate whether they believe a presenter should be recognized with an Outstanding Presenter Award based on their overall performance.

Scoring Categories Summary (Click to jump to details):

  1. Research Design & Content (Maximum: 10 points)
  2. Articulating Impact (Maximum: 20 points)
  3. Poster (Maximum: 10 points)
  4. Presentation (Maximum: 10 points)
  5. Interaction (Maximum: 10 points)
  6. Accessibility (Maximum: 5 points)

Detailed Scoring Categories

1. Research Design & Content (Maximum: 10 points)

  • Beginning (1-2 points): Research question/problem not defined; presentation lacks discussion of background/theory, methodology, and results/conclusions/interpretations.
  • Developing (3-5 points): Research question/problem not well-defined; discussion of background/theory, methodology, results/conclusions/interpretations were insubstantial or lacked clarity.
  • Proficient (6-8 points): Research question/problem adequately defined; discussion of background/theory, methodology, and results/conclusions/interpretations are sufficient and generally clear.
  • Mastery (9-10 points): Research question/problem well defined; discussion of background/theory, methodology, and results/conclusions/interpretations are substantial and clear.

2. Articulating Impact (Maximum: 20 points)

Each presenter should explain how their research has POTENTIAL to make an impact within their chosen "Impact Area" domain.

  • Beginning (1-5 points): Impact on the field/future research, benefit to society, and/or potential for commercialization was not addressed.
  • Developing (6-10 points): Impact on the field/future research, benefit to society, and/or potential for commercialization could be better clarified.
  • Proficient (11-15 points): Impact on the field/future research, benefit to society, and/or potential for commercialization are generally clear.
  • Mastery (16-20 points): Impact on the field/future research, benefit to society, and/or potential for commercialization are clearly addressed.

3. Poster (Maximum: 10 points)

  • Beginning (1-2 points): Poster does not effectively deliver message; contains many errors; is extremely unappealing or difficult to follow.
  • Developing (3-5 points): Poster somewhat supports message; contains several errors; is somewhat unappealing or difficult to follow.
  • Proficient (6-8 points): Poster adequately supports message, contains few errors; is fairly appealing and easy to follow.
  • Mastery (9-10 points): Poster well represents and supports the message; contains no errors; is attractive and easy to follow.

4. Presentation (Maximum: 10 points)

  • Beginning (1-2 points): Low volume or energy; pace extremely slow or fast; poor diction; language improper or inappropriate for audience; distracting gestures or posture; unprofessional appearance.
  • Developing (3-5 points): More volume/energy needed at times; pace too slow or fast; some improper or inappropriate language used; some distracting gestures or posture; adequate appearance.
  • Proficient (6-8 points): Adequate volume and energy; generally good pace and diction; mostly appropriate language used; few or no distracting gestures; professional appearance.
  • Mastery (9-10 points): Good volume and energy; proper pace and diction; language proper and appropriate for audience; avoidance of distracting gestures; professional appearance.

5. Interaction (Maximum: 10 points)

  • Beginning (1-2 points): Little or no eye contact; poor listening skills; uneasiness or inability to answer questions.
  • Developing (3-5 points): Additional eye contact needed at times; better listening skills needed; some difficulty answering questions.
  • Proficient (6-8 points): Fairly good eye contact; displays ability to listen; provides adequate answers to questions.
  • Mastery (9-10 points): Good eye contact; excellent listening skills; answers questions with authority and accuracy.

6. Accessibility (Maximum: 5 points)

Did the presenter make their project accessible for a non-expert audience?

  • No: 0 Points
  • Yes: 5 Points