Armacost Library Undergraduate Research Award

Purpose
The proliferation of electronic information has made research a much more complex process than in the past. At the University of Redlands, students have available to them sources in paper and microfilm, electronically available through subscription databases and journals, as well as freely available on the open Web. Because so much information is available, evaluating sources of information takes increasingly more time and effort. This award was established to reward those students who demonstrate thoughtfulness and creativity in their approach to research and whose work exhibits excellence in critical thinking.

Eligibility

@Be a current University of Redlands undergraduate student (in any class or discipline).

@Eligible projects must have been completed for a University of Redlands credit course during the prior calendar year (e.g. for the 2009 award, eligible projects are those completed during Spring term 2008, May term 2008, or Fall term 2008).

@Projects must be accompanied by a letter of support from the faculty member who taught the course for which the paper/project was produced.

@All application materials will remain the property of the Library. Winning papers/projects will become a part of the Library collection.

Application Requirements and Procedure

Application will consist of:

@Application cover sheet

@Letter/email of support from supervising instructor.

@Research strategy essay (500-750 words) describing research process (including changes in the way student approached searching for information, new tools and resources discovered, interaction with reference librarians, use of interlibrary loan, and how sources were evaluated for credibility and relevance).

@Final version of research paper/project, including bibliography/reference list/ works cited.

Evaluation Criteria

@Make substantial and creative use of library resources in any format.

@Demonstrate effective application of information literacy principles:

@Determining information needs

@Evaluating and analyzing information

@Managing, organizing, and synthesizing information

@Applying information in the context of the research project

@Making responsible use of information by providing appropriate and accurate citations.

@Show evidence of significant personal growth in the methods of research and inquiry.

Award and Deadlines

@A monetary prize of $500.00 will awarded to the most outstanding undergraduate research project.

@Complete application packets must be received by 5:00pm, Friday, March 6.

@Mail or deliver complete application package to:
Armacost Library Undergraduate Research Award Committee
c/o Shana Higgins
1249 E. Colton Ave.
Redlands, CA 92374

@The winner will be notified no later than April 10, 2009. Award recipient and faculty will be honored at a reception near the end of the Spring term.

For forms and guidelines, go to: http://libguides.redlands.edu/UndergradAward.