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Library Undergraduate Research Award: Award Application

Claremont Colleges Library Undergraduate Research Award, 2016

Dates to Remember

Application for the 2016 Library Undergraduate Research Award is now closed.

Winners notified: Friday, April 22, 2016

Award Ceremony: Thursday, April 28, 2016, 6:00 p.m.

The Award

The Award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exemplary original research and scholarship, including remarkable skill and creativity in the use of library and information resources as evidenced in the Reflective Essay and the research product. Submissions are accepted in 6 award categories: first-year, sophomore, junior, senior, Seymour music, and group.

The 2016 awards are $500 for individual winners and $1000 for the group winner.

 Eligibility

  • Individuals or group members must be currently-enrolled Claremont Colleges undergraduate students.
  • Work completed in any/all disciplines is eligible for entry.
  • The research project must have been undertaken as part of a course or as faculty-sponsored non-course research offered at the Claremont Colleges.
  • The research project must have been completed Spring 2015-Spring 2016.
  • The research must take advantage of library resources and services.

Application Requirements

Applications require the following:

  1. Find the Individual Application Form and the Group Application Form in Required Forms.
  2. A 500-1,000 word Reflective Essay describing your research process: strategies, lessons learned, insights, application of library tools and resources in completion of the project. For more information see Tips for Writing the Reflective Essay in Additional Information.
  3. Faculty Statement of Support from the professor who taught the course or sponsored the project. Find the form in Required Forms.
  4. A final or draft version of the research project. (The more complete your project, the better.) Projects in all media are encouraged.
    • Written projects: the product should be submitted as an MS Word document; an abstract of the paper must also be included.
    • Other projects (digital projects, performances, etc.): contact LibraryResearchAward@cuc.claremont.edu for information on how to submit.
  5. A bibliography or other appropriate listing of sources consulted following an appropriate style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). For more information see Citing Your Sources.

Expectations for Submissions

  • Electronic submissions are required. If the research project itself is a performance, work of art, or in another format that cannot be effectively submitted electronically, contact LibraryResearchAward@cuc.claremont.edu to determine how to submit your project.
  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
  • Individuals or teams must agree to confer a limited license to the Claremont Colleges Library and to Scholarship@Claremont allowing the Claremont Colleges Library and Scholarship@Claremont to publish and make the Reflective Essays and research projects publicly available.
  • Award winners will attend the Award Ceremony with their Faculty Sponsor to present their projects.

Evaluation Criteria

The successful submissions will:

  • Demonstrate sophistication, originality, or unusual depth or breadth in the use of library services and resources, including, but not limited to, consultations with librarians, printed resources, databases, primary sources, and materials in all media.
  • Demonstrate originality of thought, mastery of content appropriate to class level, clear writing, and overall quality of presentation.
  • Demonstrate fluent writing and effective application of information literacy principles:
    • determining information needs
    • evaluating and analyzing information
    • managing, organizing, and synthesizing information
    • applying information in context of the research project
    • communicating information in formats appropriate to an academic audience
    • making responsible use of information by providing appropriate and accurate citations and credits.
  • Demonstrate use or mastery of an appropriate style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). For more information see Citing Your Sources.
  • See the Evaluation Guide in Additional Information.

Other Considerations

The award will be given as a cash prize, and it may affect your financial aid. Talk with Financial Aid Officers on your campus if you have concerns.

Questions