Award Description

The Loyola University Libraries Undergraduate Research Paper Award seeks to recognize and reward outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago. Any undergraduate in any discipline is invited to apply for the award, which will be judged by a cross-disciplinary panel of librarians, members of the Friends of the Libraries, and Loyola faculty members.

The first- and second-prize winners will receive a $500 and $250 prize, respectively, that will be presented during Loyola’s annual Weekend of Excellence.

The Loyola University Libraries Research Paper Award is different from other research paper awards in that it judges not only the paper itself, but also the research process and the student’s ability to articulate his/her experience conducting research.

Application Rules & Procedure

1. The paper must:
   1. Be written by a current undergraduate Loyola student who is enrolled for Spring 2013.
   2. Be written by one author.
   3. Be an original research paper completed for a Loyola course.
   4. Be written within calendar year 2012.
   5. Be between 2,100 and 10,000 words in length.
   6. Include a bibliography or works cited list.
2. Most of the resources used to research the paper must be from the Loyola University Libraries or acquired as a result of services provided by the Libraries.
   1. Resources may include, but are not limited to, books, articles, government documents, statistical resources, or primary sources.
   2. Most of the resources must be provided by Loyola or acquired using research assistance provided by reference librarians, or with the assistance of library services (e.g., reciprocal borrowing or interlibrary loan).
   3. Resources may be in any format including paper, electronic and micro formats (microfilm, microfiche, etc.).
3. Only one entry is allowed per person per year.
4. Required submission materials:
   1. A completed and signed Application Cover Sheet.
   2. Your completed paper, including title page and bibliography.
   3. A one to two page statement explaining your research process and how library resources and services helped in the research process. Your name and the title of your paper must appear at the top of the page. Please include:
      1. a description of your research process
      2. types of resources and services used to accomplish your research
      3. any difficulties encountered
      4. what you learned about doing research        
   4. A letter of support written by the Loyola faculty member for whom the paper was originally written that addresses the quality of research and writing demonstrated by your paper. The letter should verify that the paper was written to fulfill a course requirement and include the course name and number, as well as the semester the course was taken. Faculty may send letter of support to Carol Franklin, Cudahy Library Administration Office or e-mail it to Carol at cfrankl@luc.edu.
5. All required materials must be submitted electronically or a print copy may be submitted in person by the deadline to Carol Franklin, Library Administration, Cudahy Library, Rm. 133 or by e-mail to cfrankl@luc.edu.
6. The decision of the judges is final.

Dates to Remember:

• Deadline – March 1, 2013, 5:00 p.m.
• Winner Notification, April 5, 2013.

Questions? Contact Jeannette Pierce at 773-508-3949 or jpierc2@luc.edu

(Acknowledgement: This award is modeled on the undergraduate research paper Award sponsored by The MU Libraries at the University of Missouri-Columbia.)