Call For Submissions

Presentation Formats

• Large Poster: Poster presentations are the most popular format. Each presenter (or group) is provided space on a free-standing white board and magnets to attach your poster. Poster presentations summarizing research and scholarship are common in many disciplines. Be prepared to share your results or major findings with many different attendees. Please keep in mind poster sizes are limited to 48 x 36 inches.

• Podium Presentations: Selected scholars will be assigned to thematic sessions, usually by discipline. Sessions typically last one hour, allowing each presenter 15-20 minutes. Visual aids may be incorporated, such as slide presentations, etc.

• Creative Work: A project representing the Visual and Performing Arts will be displayed or presented as appropriate. Other formats (music, etc.) can be considered as applicable to your discipline.

Presentation Categories (for judging purposes)

Participants must select one of the following categories for their work. If unsure about your category, consult with your sponsor. The Scholars’ Day committee uses category information to find expert judges. Presentations will be judged within these categories:

Quantitative Research: Quantitative research reflects analysis of numeric data. Using scientific inquiry, quantitative research relies on data that are observed or measured to answer a research question. Quantitative presentations should include a research question, data collection, data analysis, and findings.

Qualitative Research: Qualitative methods, as the name indicates, are methods that do not involve measurement or statistics. Qualitative data can help us to understand why, how, or what happened behind certain behaviors through an exploration of concepts and experiences (participant observation, interviews, etc.). Qualitative presentations should include a research question, data collection, data analysis, and findings.

Literature Review: A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic. The purpose is to determine what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic. The literature review must be defined by a guiding concept, which may include a research objective, the problem or issue being discussed, or an argumentative thesis.

Creative Production: Creative productions include original works in music, art, fiction, and poetry. Note: The creative piece should not have been published elsewhere.

Critical Analysis: A critical analysis is subjective in nature because it expresses the writer's opinion or evaluation of a text. Analysis means to break down and study the parts. For example, writing a critical paper includes critical reading and critical writing.

Criteria for Selection of Posters, Presentations and Creative Works

Research formats vary according to academic disciplines. Scholars’ Day is an opportunity for researchers from multiple disciplines to share research. Selection criteria includes:

• Focus and Organization of Project

• Clarity of Writing

• Description of research and findings

Failure to follow the instructions listed in the Call for Submissions may result in the non-acceptance of submissions.
If you have any questions about how to submit your work for Scholars' Day, please contact Dr. Joni Ylostalo at (254) 295-5534.

Important Note for Projects Involving Human Participants

Research projects involving human participants (i.e., data collected from people or about people) should be presented to the UMHB Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review and approval before data is collected.

Questions about the approval process and whether or not your research project requires IRB approval should be directed to Dr. Kris Ward at kward@umhb.edu.

Below is a list of questions that should help you decide if a project needs to be submitted to the IRB for review. If you answer “YES” to ALL of the questions below, then it is likely that your research project needs to be submitted to the IRB:

• Is the research project designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge (i.e., publish)?

• Does the research project involve obtaining information about living individuals?

• Does the research project involve intervention or interaction with the individuals?

Application Submission

Applicants will upload their submission into text boxes on the application webpage. The Research Committee encourages editing of the description and abstract in Microsoft Word, or other offline word processor, with the final and edited product being cut and pasted directly into the website. The components of the application are as follows:

• Title of the Poster/Presentation (15 words or less)

• Description (50-word limit) - The Title and Description will be used as the description for the presentation in a program guide for attendees that will also include the Author(s), College, Department/Major, and Faculty Sponsor.

• Abstract (300-word limit, excluding references) - Submissions should include aspects of the research that are appropriate for the academic discipline and present a sufficient description of the project. References should not be included in the abstract, as they would count against the 300-word limit. Students should consult with their faculty sponsor about the proper format for abstracts within their discipline. These 300-word abstracts will be read by members of the Research Committee and used to determine the appropriateness of the project for presentation at Scholars' Day. Please read the criteria for selection below. Finalists for Best Project Awards will also be determined by reviewing these abstracts.

Awards

Each Scholars' Day submission will be eligible to win an award. Submissions are judged within the above categories. Categories with at least five submissions will have the following awards:

Frist prize - $100

Second prize - $75

Third prize - $50

Awards will be announced at the Scholars' Day luncheon.