MN504 Discussion Board
Topic 1: Defining Internal and External Evidence
Discuss the difference between external and internal evidence as it relates to your PICOT search strategy.
Address the strengths and weaknesses of searching in a databank versus a web-based search engine. You must use two databanks mentioned in the text.
Please see the Discussion Board grading rubric on the Course Resources.
Will need 3 references not older than 5 years (2012-2017)
a minimun of 200 words.
“Discussion Board (DB) Participation Rubric
Discussion boards (DBs) are what make an online course a course and not an independent study. DBs are vital to
demonstrating that the learner has met the expected course level outcomes. Collaboration between peers and your instructor in the DB is an important aspect of the
online learning experience and is expected in the course. Any exceptions to the following DB rubric will be at the instructor’s discretion.
The purpose of a DB is to
stimulate critical thinking in a scholarly manner. Critical thinking consists of synthesis, creating solutions, application to real world situations, and testing,
debating, and defending evidence-based solutions. Critical thinking is not repetition of assigned reading material. Outside research of the literature is a vital
part of the DB. Posts need to be substantive. This means that responses such as “”I agree”” or “”great post”” do not meet grading rubric requirements.
Initial posts
for each discussion question (DQ) is due no later than Saturday of the unit week. The initial post must be an answer to the DQ topic, not a comment on other posts.
Initial posts for each DB must also include a minimum of three peer-reviewed citations. Citations must include outside sources and no more than one citation from
assigned course readings may be used each week. Additionally, comments should also include a citation to support assertions. While the eCollege discussion board tool
limits the ability to use APA formatting (e.g., hanging indents), posts must include the required elements of an APA in-text citation and list of references.
”
Inappropriate Below Average Average Above Average Score Weight Final Score
1 2 3 4
Initial post timeliness Provides an initial post on or after Sunday. N/A N/A Provides an initial post by Saturday. 15% 0.00
Additional comment requirement Does not post responses to others. Posts one comment per Discussion topic. Posts 2 comments per Discussion topic on separate days.
At least one comment includes a citation. Posts more than 2 comments per Discussion topic on separate days (resulting in total participation on three different
days throughout the discussion). At least two comments include a citation. 10% 0.00
Engagement N/A Participates, but does not post anything that encourages others to respond to the posting. Attempts to motivate the group discussion.
Frequently attempts to motivate the group discussion. 5% 0.00
Content Quality Initial Response Submission does not relate to the topic. Answers some question/topics with some clearly stated opinions. Supports post
using text only. Answers all questions with opinions and ideas that are stated clearly. Supports post using text and at least two peer-reviewed sources. Answers
all questions with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources. 35% 0.00
APA Format Major errors or no APA format used. Minor errors with APA format. Rare errors with APA format. No errors with APA format. 10%
0.00
“Spelling/
Grammar/ Formatting/ Mechanics” Significant errors in spelling and/or grammar. Major flaws in writing mechanics and formatting. Poor spelling and
grammar are apparent. Uses Standard American English with rare errors and misspellings. Consistently uses Standard American English with no misspellings.
Appropriate mechanics and formatting. 10% 0.00
Length Submission does not meet length requirements. N/A N/A The initial post is at least 200 words. This does not include repeating the DB question or the
citations and references. 15% 0.00
100% 0.00
Final Score 0
Percentage #DIV/0!
Total available points = 4
Instructions: First enter total points possible in cell C15, under the rubric. Next enter scores
(between 0 and 4) into yellow cells only in column F.
Rubric Score Grade points Percentage
Low High Low High Low High
3.5 4.0 0 0 90% 100%
2.5 3.49 0 0 80% 89.99%
1.7 2.49 0 0 70% 79.99%
0.0 1.00 0 0 0 69.99%
