Article Analysis Rubric

RUBRIC FOR WRITING A DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF A MEDICAL CASE

OBJECTIVES	Minimal	Better	Better	Better	Even better
Demonstrate ability to do a differential diagnosis by generating a list of diagnoses that fit the symptoms and systematically eliminating some.	Fewer than three diagnoses were considered and eliminated. Reasons for eliminating them limited to presence or absence of single symptom or history.	Three to five diagnoses were considered and eliminated. Reasons for eliminating them show some understanding about at least two of the diseases or conditions.	Four to six diagnoses were considered and eliminated. For at least three of these, clear reasons were given for eliminating them. Specific details were given about the information used (implications of the history learned, test results, other). Clear explanation given of reasons tests were given.	* Previous box + *Clear explanation given of reasons tests were requested and underlying biology revealed by the tests.	* Previous box + *Substantial understanding of at least one of these diseases or conditions is demonstrated.
Present clear argument for support of the final diagnosis.	*State the diagnosis and list some of the symptoms presented that support that diagnosis.	*State the diagnosis and describe how some of the symptoms and test results confirm the diagnosis.	State the diagnosis and describe how each of the symptoms and test results confirm the diagnosis. Use actual numbers for test results to explain how those test results support the diagnosis.	* Previous box + *Demonstrate a substantial understanding of the biological basis of the diagnosis.	* Previous box + Substantial understanding of at least one of these diseases or conditions is demonstrated. Previous box + * Refer to and describe at least one research study in which one aspect of the disease was addressed.
Understand biological mechanisms that are affected by the disease.	*Biological system mentioned but no description of explanation of how it relates to the diagnosis.	*Brief description of the biological basis of the disease.	*Good basic understanding demonstrated about the biological basis of the disease.	* Previous box + *Information about the biological system is integrated into the discussion of symptoms and tests showing a good understanding about how the disease or condition affects that system.	* Previous box + *Substantial understanding of the biological system involved is demonstrated through explanations of the rationale for eliminating certain diagnoses, understanding the significance of test results, and understanding how the disease or condition affects that system.
Write a clear, well-organized, paper that reflects the thinking of the writer.	Repeat almost verbatim the case as originally presented. Quote information from text resources	Describe the case information in a conversational way. Paraphrase information from text resources.	Describe the case information in a conversational way integrating comments and questions. Voice of the writer is distinct from those of the sources. *Relate information from texts in a conversational (but accurate) way.	* Previous box + *Make clear the approach used by the team to analyze the case.	* Previous box + *Speculate about implications of any points made or something about the patient’s history, test results, or prospects for the future.
Demonstrate use of a range of appropriate sources and incorporate them into text appropriately.	No citations in the text. No bibliography at the end.	No citations in the text. No bibliography at the end. *Bibliography at the end includes dictionary and web site references only.	Citations given at the ends of some paragraphs. Bibliography at the end includes dictionaries, web sites, and medical texts.	Citations inserted into the text at appropriate points. Substantial bibliography at the end includes dictionaries, web sites, medical texts, and primary scientific sources.	Citations integrated into the text to make clear the distinction between the voice of the sources and the voice of the author of the case report. Substantial bibliography at the end includes dictionaries, web sites, medical texts, and primary scientific sources.

No one should expect to write an article analysis for the first time and achieve the goals described in the right hand boxes for all the objectives. And it’s unlikely that any of you will be writing at the “minimal” level for most of your report.

We’re showing you this rubric so you’ll get a chance to see the progress you make through the semester. We hope that seeing this chart will give you some ideas about how to keep better notes and write early drafts of your case reports as you go along.