Political Science Research Award

This award was established by the Department of Political Science to encourage accuracy, diligence, clarity of thought and organization, and quality articulation, as well as personal integrity in research and writing. The award also is to encourage application of scientific methods to research in Political Science, i.e. the hypothesis or research rationale ought to be clearly stated, data collection ought to be reasonably adequate, the findings should either have been tested and verified or be susceptible to testing and verification.

Eligible students must

• Be any sophomore, junior, or senior taking political science courses, who are the sole author of the paper to be considered, and whose paper meets the specifications enumerated above.
• Compose an original paper for a class reflecting the following:

1. Originality to an extent one can reasonably expect from a candidate for an academic honor.
2. An honest effort to make a contribution to existing knowledge by raising interesting and challenging questions, and through critical examination of established or given theories or views.
3. Integrity by the absence of any evidence or suggestion or plagiarism and proven authenticity as to authorship: Sources are to be fully and accurately cited and identified.
4. A reasonably diligent attempt to provide the paper with an adequate database.
5. The highest standards for honors in English composition, including spelling, style, and organization.

• The paper must have been composed within the last three semesters, which may include the semester during which the selection occurs.

This scholarship will be credited to the recipient’s bill in the form of a non-tuition educational expense grant or the recipient may receive the award in cash.

The Political Science Research Award is coordinated by the Department of Political Science – there is no application.