Libraries Student Research Prize: Criteria for Selection

The quality of the research project/paper, the bibliography and the student essay describing the research process are all important in evaluating submissions. The winning submission will demonstrate:

• Exceptional ability to select, evaluate, and synthesize scholarly resources and to use them in the creation of an original  project in any media.
• Sophistication and/or unusual depth and breadth in the use of library collections, including printed materials, databases, primary resources, and materials in all media.
• Evidence of the applicant's  understanding of the research strategy and process.
• An orientation to research and inquiry that shows the likelihood of persisting into the future.
• Originality/uniqueness of the project/topic, mastery of content (appropriate to class level), clear writing, and overall quality of the project.
• Mastery of an appropriate style sheet or citation guidelines used in creating a bibliography of sources/works cite. Some examples of style guides include the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, the Chicago Manual of Style, and others. For more information see http://libraryguides.lehigh.edu/srch.php?q=style.
• Accuracy and correctness of citations.

The Selection Committee

The selection committee includes Lehigh librarians and faculty from diverse disciplines. The committee reserves the right to select multiple winners, second place awards, or honorable mentions. If no paper meets the minimum criteria, no prize will be awarded. Review of the papers will begin in mid-January, and the award winners will be announced in mid- to-late March. Specific dates will be announced in the fall.

The Libraries Student Research Prize Committee members are a combination of faculty and librarians.

Return to the Libraries Student Research Prize main page.