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The ability to perform research for useful and relevant information is vital to academic success, professional potential, and effective civic participation. We believe the development of sound library research skills should be an integral part of a robust undergraduate experience. OSU Libraries recognize the need to inspire, support and highlight excellent research, critical thinking, and self-reflection skills at the undergraduate level.

 

Accordingly, the OSU Undergraduate Library Research Award does not simply examine the product of research (a paper or project), but also emphasizes the importance of understanding and reflecting upon the process of developing a topic and research strategy in order to locate, evaluate and use the best information possible.

 

We encourage all eligible undergraduates who have recently completed research for course credit, faculty-sponsored independent study or through a formal OSU research program to apply.

edmon low library

All applications must be submitted by: March 7, 2023

Award

  • One winner, from each of the two categories below, will be awarded $1,500
    • Underclassmen (fewer than 60 semester credit hours passed as of application deadline)
    • Upperclassmen (60 or more semester credit hours passed as of application deadline)
  • Deadline: March 7, 2023

Eligibility

  • Be an enrolled undergraduate at OSU-Stillwater at the time of the application deadline.
    • To be eligible for the underclassmen award, the applicant must be classified as a freshman or sophomore (fewer than 60 semester credit hours earned) as of the application deadline
    • To be eligible for the upperclassmen award, the applicant must be classified as a junior or senior (60 or more semester credit hours earned) as of the application deadline
    • Individuals can submit projects completed as part of a group, but application materials and essay must make your role and responsibilities for the project clear.
  • Have completed (or demonstrated significant progress toward completing) a research paper or research-based project for a formal research program (Wentz, Niblack, McNair, OK-LSAMP, FRS, etc.), credit course at OSU or for OSU faculty-mentored research as part of a program or independent study. Projects in all media are encouraged.
  • Have completed (or made significant progress toward completing) the project during the application period (Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
  • Submit the following by application deadline: application form (including unofficial transcript), faculty support form, project with bibliography, and reflective essay.
  • What do I need to apply?
    • The following information and documents should be submitted electronically via our online application form
      • Contact information
      • Project description/abstract
      • Faculty sponsor information
      • Reflective Essay: A maximum 500-word, double-spaced reflective essay that addresses the following prompts:
        • Describe your research process in terms of finding and using information. How did you find source materials? How did you evaluate information? What difficulties did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
        • Describe the role OSU Libraries played in your research.
        • See Tips for Writing the Reflective Essay.
      • Research Project: A final or near-final version of the research project should be submitted electronically when possible. Project format will depend on the project itself. If the project cannot be submitted effectively in an electronic format, it may be delivered in person or sent through campus mail to Holly Reiter, Director of Library Teaching & Learning, 306 Edmon Low Library.
        • Example: A performance would be submitted as a video or audio file, whereas a history research project may be submitted as a traditional paper. The rules aren't absolute. Be creative, but make sure that your project effectively conveys your results and intent.
      • Unofficial transcript to verify classification.
      • A bibliography of sources used for research, formatted in a recognized and consistent style.
        • If a bibliography is already included as part of the project (as it would be in a research paper), you do not need to resubmit the bibliography separately.
        • See the Tips for Bibliography section and the bibliography criteria.
    • Submit projects in an appropriate medium/media and file type(s).
    • A Faculty Support Form should be submitted by the OSU faculty member responsible for teaching the course or mentoring the research for which the project was completed. THE FACULTY MEMBER MUST SUBMIT THIS DIRECTLY. Please contact your faculty member and send them to our Faculty Info page for more detailed information.
    • Remember that all materials must be submitted using our online form, except in special circumstances noted above.
    • This award may affect your financial aid.  Please consult your financial aid advisor.
  • Criteria
    • Projects and bibliographies should:
      • Addresses significant questions within the discipline or disciplines and clearly articulate stakes.
      • Demonstrate ample evidence of creative thought.
      • Utilize a variety of appropriate information sources (for example, primary sources, specialized databases, finding aids, etc.).
      • Include data, quotations, and claims that are appropriate to the concepts and argument(s) presented in the project.
      • Correctly and consistently cite all data, sources, quotations, claims, and obscure facts.
    • Reflective Essays should:
      • Articulate appropriate and creative use of information sources and tools (for example, primary sources, specialized databases, finding aids, etc.)
      • Demonstrate an ability to adjust or reorganize research strategies when an obstacle is encountered.
      • Demonstrate creative and thorough use of collections and services available through OSU Libraries.
      • Demonstrate the evaluation of sources using consistent and appropriate criteria.
  • Oklahoma State University's ULRA Winners
    https://info.library.okstate.edu/researchaward/winners

 

Application

Deliver all application information by

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

URLA logo

 

 

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