Frequently Asked Questions

For Students:

Q: What is meant by “library tools and resources”?
A:  This award is meant to recognize student achievement in library research.  The selection panel will be looking for entries which detail how the student used library tools such as the library catalog, library databases and online library resources available through the Bankier Library website, print and multimedia library resources, library special collections, and librarians to successfully complete their project

Research done in a laboratory setting and research studies conducted by students are not eligible for this award. If the student has done extensive library research in conjunction with such a project, however, he/she is encouraged to apply.

Q:  Does the sponsoring faculty member have to be the faculty member who taught the class for which I completed the paper/project?
A:  Yes.

Q: May I submit more than one paper or project?
A:  Yes, but each project must have its own application packet.

Q:  I co-wrote an article with a faculty member. May I submit the research I did for the article?
A:  No, all papers/projects must be created entirely by students.

Q: I will not have finished my project by the prize deadline. Is it necessary to submit a finished project? Would a draft version be acceptable?
A:  Only finished papers/projects are eligible.

Q: I dropped the class, but did the research and completed my project. Is my project eligible?
A:   No. You must have received, or be in the process of receiving credit for the course to be eligible for the prize.

Q: I cannot contact my professor.  Can I submit my application without the letter of support?
A:  No. Only complete applications will be considered for the award.

Q: I am a part-time student at Brookdale. Can I apply for the award?
A: Yes.

Q: Are team projects eligible?
A:  Yes.  Teams should submit a single application for their project. All team members should contribute.  If a team project wins the award will be split equally among the team members.

Q:  My paper is longer/shorter than the length recommendation under Application Process.  Is it still eligible?
A:  The length recommendations are guidelines, not strict requirements.  Nevertheless, if your paper is going to differ from the recommendation by more than a page or two, you should discuss your situation with the chair of the selection panel.

For Faculty:

Q:  I am a faculty member who has recommended one of my students submit a paper. What should my letter of support include?
A:  It is helpful to the selection committee if the faculty letter includes (briefly) the details and requirements of the assignment they gave, (as well as anything unique or extraordinary about how the student fulfilled it). Faculty might also comment on creative, sophisticated, or otherwise notable aspects of the student’s research process they have observed in terms of any of the following: breadth and depth of sources sought/utilized; evaluation and selection of source material; synthesis and integration of source material into the paper/project; and/or the student’s overall personal learning and growth through the research process. The evaluation rubric includes the complete criteria the selection committee examines; omments on any of these criteria would be appropriate.

The faculty letter of support is intended 1) to verify the student wrote the paper for the course, but more importantly, 2) to give faculty an opportunity to really sing the praises of students who have gone above and beyond in terms of the research process and in terms of meeting the contest’s selection criteria.