B Sample Rubric for Evaluating Memo 7

The rubric below provides a sample of how instructors can easily use a checklist approach to grading the memo assignments in this text. Bascially, each memo has three categories in which students should demonstrate excellence: Mechanics and Techniques, Application and Reasoning, and Communication and Professionalism. These are discussed in general terms in the preface. For each category, there are items listed in a checklist format at two levels of accomplishment: Expected and Impressive. To meet the minimum requirements for a memo, students should have the expected items checked off as being present in the memo in a clear and easily understandable way. Then, for each category in which the student’s work is impressive, the grade is bumped up.

For example, one could define the following grade scale for memo problems, where the entries define the number of categories (out of 3) that must be at that level. Then, the intermediate and lower grades (D, C+, etc.) can be awarded for partial success in a category.


	Expected Level	Impressive Level

M & T: 0 E- E E+ I- I	○ File was correctly titled for Bb ○ File name correct ○ Contains a correlation matrix ○ Contains 4 scatterplots A Table of Results contains ○ 4 correct regression equations ○ A correct R² for each equation ○ A correct S_e for each equation ○ Correctly states which relationship has the strongest positive or negative correlation	○ The 4 regression equations are correctly ranked according to best-fit ○ Graphical analysis indicates how much confidence we have that we can model this relationship with a linear trendline For Revision Only ○ Errors made in original are adequately corrected

A & R: 0 E- E E+ I- I	A reasonable preliminary prediction is made for the effect on Weekly Riders of ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate Correctly compares preliminary predictions with correlation matrix results for effects on Weekly Riders of ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate ○ Slopes and y-intercepts are stated in terms of the problem context (not Xs or Ys) ○ Correct units are given for slopes ○ Correct units are given for Y-intercepts ○ Correct units are given for S_e	○ Provides an adequate and correct explanation of R² ○ Explains what R² tells us about the model Correct R² analysis is used to rank Regression Model of Weekly Riders vs. ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate ○ Provides an adequate and correct explanation of S_e ○ Explains what S_e tells us about the model Correct S_e analysis is used to rank Regression Model of Weekly Riders vs. ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate Correctly interprets the slope of the model for ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate Correctly interprets the y-intercept of the model for ○ Price per Ride ○ Population ○ Income ○ Parking Rate

C & P: 0 E- E E+ I- I	○ Assignment was submitted on time ○ Submitted in memo form ○ The writing is competent (grammar, spelling are basically correct) ○ There is an adequate introduction to the problem situation ○ The introduction clues the reader as to what to expect in the memo ○ The presentation of the proposal is adequate and complete (must include everything the memo requires) ○ Charts are not fragmented ○ All axes and text on graphs are readable. ○ All charts are legible ○ All parts of memo are adequately addressed ○ Supporting computer output is embedded in the memo	○ The writing adequately deals with the complexity and depth of the analysis ○ Text and graphics are well integrated in a way that facilitates the readers understanding ○ Memo includes a conclusion summarizing the results of the analysis (executive summary) ○ Conclusion states which model is the best-fit model ○ Conclusion states how accurate we can anticipate the predictions of the best-fit model will be. ○ Overall, the graphs, charts, and text have a professional appearance.


Grade	Expected	Impressive

C	3	0

B-	2	1

B+	1	2

A	0	3

Appendix BSample Rubric for Evaluating Memo 7

Appendix B
Sample Rubric for Evaluating Memo 7