Honors for new, growing library researchers

February 8, 2010 by Renata Follmann 

Every year, the University Libraries Lance and Elena Calvert Award for Undergraduate Research awards undergraduate research projects that incorporate the use of University Libraries’ collections.

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This year there are two categories, one for seniors (with a $1000 prize) and the other for freshmen, sophomores and juniors (with a $750 prize).

“With two categories for the award, a project submitted by a freshman or sophomore has a better chance to be judged on its own merits, as research conducted by someone early in their academic career,” said Anne Zald, head of instruction for University Libraries

“While judges in previous years always made the effort to evaluate work considering the year level of the applicant, it can be difficult to avoid a disadvantageous comparison.”

According to Zald, some of the criteria are sophistication, originality and/or unusual depth or breadth in the use of library collections and evidence of developing an understanding of the processes of research and inquiry, among other standards.

Tyler Parry was a history major at UNLV last year and is currently enrolled in a PhD program in History at the University of South Carolina. He took the Research Award home with a winning paper named, ‘The Paradox of Progress: Hildegard of Bingen in the Age of Transition.’

“I had not heard of the award until I received a random envelope in the mail from the honors college,” Parry said. He added that after looking into the specifics of the award and the price compensation, he decided it was a good opportunity.

And although his subject sounds complicated, Parry made sure it was not unapproachable to readers.

“I suppose my paper appealed to a broader audience because I made my topic accessible, with an understanding that I do not just want academics reading my work, but also intelligent people who like to learn things on their own time,” Parry.

Zald agreed saying, “The emphasis is on the research process, as much as the quality of the final product itself.”

And for a final product to be worthy of a prize, there are some sacrifies to be made.

“My father actually made a joke about how the hours put into the project likely produced a return of below minimum wage, but the research was done not expecting to be submitted for money,” Parry said all too familiar with the hours. He added that “Realistically, the hours are too many to recount or remember. My wife might know better than I do, as she was there during the rather strenuous process, and often had to share her husband (fiancé at the time) with the Library.”

There will be a panel of judges which includes faculty from the Library as well as academic departments. In addition, there will be at at least one student member of the judging panel, which will count with 5 to 7 people.

“Many fail to realize, that committees have limited time to review your materials. Your personal statement and why your research matters is one of the main reference points when reviewing an application.”

His key to success: “Do not just throw the application together, but take time to make everything presentable. The second is to make sure your work speaks to a broader audience.”

There are no limits on the subject students decide to research. The only pre-requisite is that students submit a project which they have completed for a credit course at UNLV.

“We don’t want people to think that research only looks like a term paper, or it only happens in certain subjects or certain types of classes,” Zald said adding that “Research can be happening at a lot of different levels and you have to start rewarding some of those smaller research efforts in order to encourage students to get involved at a more advanced level.”

Besides the generous prize, students who win the award will also become a part of the permanent record of UNLV’s research on the web.

“The most valuable, in both the context of the award and life in general, is presentation’” Parry said.

“Awards put a spotlight not only [in] individual accomplishments but also what is important to a community or an institution. By providing [this] award we are highlighting the importance of independent, critical inquiry as a component of undergraduate education at UNLV,” Zald said.

For her, the award represents a college education where students ask questions, look for answers and create new knowledge.

With this unique opportunity to improve research skills, money incentive and broad recognition, UNLV students should be considering the library as a second home for a while.

Applications must be received by 5 pm on April 15, 2010.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Entry criteria: library.unlv.edu/award/index.html#criteria