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CriteriaDoes Not Meet Expectations (1)Meet Some Expectations (2)Meets Expectations (3)CriteriaDefinition
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Relevance to ReferenceResearch topic does not relate to referenceResearch topic is adjacently related to referenceResearch topic is expressley related to referenceRelevance to ReferenceReference is a patron-initiated interaction where the librarian provides assistance by using expertise in response to an information need. See RUSA’s full Definition of Reference.

This can look like, but is not exclusive to: in-person reference, virtual reference, new reference services, reference staffing, training, leadership, DEI lenses, and more.
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Significance Does not identify gap in scholarship and does not articulate how their scholarship will fill the gapIdentifies gaps in scholarship but does not explain how the project fills those gaps OR explains an intention of their research but does not explain how it relates to the larger scholarly conversation.Identifies gaps in scholarship AND explain how the project relates to the larger scholarly conversation.Significance Research fills an existing gap in the scholarly research
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OriginalityPresents an idea that are often discussed in the field of reference. Builds on existing research and extends other research findingsPresents a completely new idea in the fieldOriginalityCreates research that employs a unique topic and/or unique methodology to the field of reference research
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MethodologyResearch does not use scholarly methodsResearch uses some scholarly methodsResearch uses scholarly methodsMethodologyScholarly Methods are ones that are valid, reliable, and used legally and ethically, particularly when involving human subjects
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OutcomesNo research outcomes are articulatedAuthor articulates outcomes for research, BUT their research project does not align with their outcomesAuthor articulates outcomes for research AND their research project aligns with their outcomesOutcomesA clearly articulated goal for the research project that is maintained throughout the project
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GeneralizabilityResearch is of not useful or applicable to library communityResearch has little or limited applicability or usefulness to the library communityResearch is useful or applicable in a wide variety of library settings. GeneralizabilityResearch is of interest to the wider library community and could be applicable in other libraries
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