Evaluation Criteria
2025 UGA Libraries Undergraduate Research Award:
Evaluation Criteria
The Undergraduate Research Award judging committee will evaluate submissions based on the criteria detailed in the sections below.
Creativity
Is your submission novel in some way?
Clarity of expression
Can your submission be understood by a non-specialist or someone outside the field?
Research Process
Reflection is an important part of the overall research process and is included in the evaluation criteria for the Undergraduate Research Award. To help you get started, your submission might creatively address the two or more of the following questions:
- “What were your detours?” – were there moments when you had to change your research direction or approach due to unexpected findings or obstacles?
- “What were your ‘aha’ moment?” – were there instances when everything suddenly made sense or you had a breakthrough in understanding your topic.
- “What were your missteps?” – Reflect on mistakes or misunderstandings you encountered during your research process and how you corrected them.
- “What were your moments of doubt?” – Share times when you questioned your approach or findings and how you managed to regain confidence in your research process.
- “What was your inspiration?” – what fueled your research? Was it working with others? Understanding the history of what’s happened already and being part of a larger conversation/community? Coffee? 😊
- “What was your plan B?” – Describe alternative strategies or methods you used when your initial approach didn’t work out as planned.
- “What were your unexpected finds?” – Discuss any surprising or unanticipated results you encountered that influenced the course of your research.