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15th Annual Maria Dittman Research
Competition Guidelines

Competition Open Through March 9, 2012

Have you COMPLETED any "A" research papers or PROJECTS lately?

If so, you could win $200!!

Raynor Memorial Libraries* sponsor a research competition to recognize the importance of effective library research in academics. The competition, now in its 15th year, honors Maria Dittman, a librarian, who served the Marquette community for over 25 years and was responsible for teaching thousands of students library literacy and research skills. The Research Competition awards a $200.00 prize in three categories: freshman-sophomore, junior-senior, and graduate/professional.

FAQs:

Eligibility: more info...

Any research paper or project completed for a Marquette University course during the calendar year 2011 that received a grade of A is eligible. Pathfinders and bibliographical essays do not qualify as research. Individual work accepted. Group submissions are allowed; however, please designate one contact person for the group. One entry per person or group. Previous winners are eligible. less info....
Entry Packet: more info...

To be considered complete, your submission must include a completed entry form, your original paper or project, and a 1-2 page essay describing your research process. less info....
Judging criteria: more info...
- thorough use of library resources
- variety and appropriateness of sources used
- quality of the research process description (more below)
less info....
Paper length: more info...

Papers must be a minimum of 5 pages for undergraduate submissions and a minimum of 10 pages for graduate/professional submissions. less info....
Original Copy Preferred: more info...

Please submit your original paper or project, including the page with the grade if the grade is not on the cover sheet. If the original is unavailable, you may submit a copy; but it must be accompanied by a letter from the professor for the course stating that it received an A and commenting on the quality of the work. less info....
Bibliography: more info...

The research project must include a bibliography of at least 5-10 citations and be written in a standard bibliographic format (MLA, APA, etc.). less info....
Media Projects: more info...

If you have questions about submitting a media project for consideration, please contact Kerry Olivetti, committee chair, at (414) 288-7555 or kerry.olivetti@marquette.edu. less info....
Entry Form: more info...

Papers and research descriptions must be accompanied by a completed entry form. You can print out the entry form , or pick one up from the Information or Circulation Desks, as well as the 3rd Floor Dean's Office in Raynor Library. less info...
Judges: more info...

Will be a panel of librarians and staff from the Raynor Memorial Libraries. less info...
Announcement of Winners: more info...

Winners are usually announced in early April. less info...
Award Ceremony: more info...

Prizes will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in April 2012. less info...
Entries Returned: more info...

All submissions are returned by mail after the ceremony; copies of winning entries are retained in the University Archives and winners are invited to make their entries electronically accessible in Marquette's institutional repository, e-Publications@Marquette.edu. Please be sure to include a permanent address to which your entry may be returned.less info...
Deadline: more info...

Entries must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2012. less info...

Description of Research Process

Your entry will be judged on your use of library resources, the variety and appropriateness of sources used, and the quality of your essay. The essay is the most important component of your entry. In 1-2 typed pages, describe the process you used in doing the research for your project. This description must be in essay format to be considered by the committee. Please do not use Q & A or bullet points.

Please include the following information:

How did you find your sources? (Indexes, databases, Google, professors, friends?)
How did you select the ones you used? What criteria did you use? What was it about these sources that made them appropriate?
Were there sources you identified but decided not to use? If so, why?
Describe the types of sources (books, periodicals, print, electronic, video, microfilm, etc.) used and why.
Discuss outside sources used, if any, such as interviews, other libraries, other institutions or companies, etc.
What bibliographic format was used (MLA, APA, etc.)?
What, if any, difficulties did you run into in doing your research?
What did you learn about research from doing the paper or project?
Any other information that you feel will add to your description of the research process.

*Programming and awards organized and funded by the Academic Librarians' Assembly and the Library Support Staff Association of Marquette University's Raynor Memorial Libraries, and the memorial gifts from the friends and family of Maria Dittman. Special thanks to the Library Dean's Office for additional support.

Entry Form

Submissions may be sent to:
Maria Dittman Research Competition
Dean's Office (Room 309)
Raynor Memorial Libraries

Deliver in person to the Main Circulation Desk, Raynor Library

Questions?

Contact Kerry Olivetti at (414) 288-7555 or kerry.olivetti@marquette.edu.

15th Annual Maria Dittman Research Competition Guidelines