Library Award for Undergraduate Research

Congratulations!

The 2009 winner of the Library Award for Undergraduate Research is Ruth Moberg Foster. Click here to view her essay.

Purpose

The purpose of the Library Award for Undergraduate Research is to recognize and honor excellence in the use of library services, collections and resources by undergraduate student researchers. The winning student will exhibit excellence and creativity in critical thinking, information gathering and synthesis.

Award

The Library Award of $1000 will be presented during the Authors Reception oin April 15, 2010. Should no suitable applications be submitted, the award will not be granted.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, applicants must:

Be a current Valparaiso University undergraduate (in any class or discipline).

Have completed an individual research paper (group papers are not eligible).

Have completed the paper for a credit course at Valparaiso University during the previous calendar year.

Allow their work to be publicly displayed in the library and online. Applications materials will not be returned.

Application Requirements and Procedure

Applications will include the following:

~ Application cover sheet (MS Word document)

~ Letter or email of support sent directly to Becky.Byrum@valpo.edu from supervising instructor indicating that the student was enrolled in the class, completed the research paper, and why or how the student's research was exemplary

~ Essay (500-750 words) describing research process and use of library resources and resources (essay tips)

~ Final research paper (please do not include your name or class on the paper)

~ Bibliography of sources used in a standard bibliographic format (e.g. APA, MLA)

Do not include research logs or copies of articles.

Submit application documents electronically to: Becky.Byrum@valpo.edu

Application deadline is 5:00p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

A panel of VU library and departmental faculty will judge the entries based primarily on their research essay and how well they demonstrate the following:

1. Sophistication as well as depth or breadth in the use of the library’s offerings – such use might include, but is not limited to: print, electronic, and microform materials.

2. Outstanding ability to locate and evaluate the best-possible library resources in support of the assignment.

3. Evidence of significant personal advancement in understanding the process of research and inquiry.

      a. Do the resources cited actually support the paper’s thesis, or are they simply included to meet some minimum number of sources required?

     b. Is there clear evidence that the student understands the role of research in crafting a well-written and strongly supported paper?

4. Complete and accurate citation of all resources used in the paper.

Please click here for more information concerning evaluation criteria.

Past winners: 2008, Kiersten Camp