Judging Criteria

  1. Project Significance & Rationale

    • Comprehensively places the question or objective within an appropriate scholarly context (scholarly literature, theory, model, previous research, genre, etc.);
    • The project or performance clearly adds significantly to the chosen genre.
    • Acknowledges the conceptual and methodological foundation provided by previous work.

  2. Research Question or Creative Objective

    • Explicitly states the research question or creative objective and uses effective scope.  
    • Explains why the research question or creative objective is important.  
    • The research question or creative objective follows logically from previous work.  

  3. Appropriate Methodologies

    • Project uses methods (technique, form, or medium) appropriate for their field of study 
    • Clearly explains methods: links methods to the research questions or creative objective 
    • Acknowledges limitations of the methods and/or creative technique used. 

  4. Conclusions & Recommendations

    • Evidence supports a mature, complex, and/or nuanced analysis of the gap in research; interpretation is explicitly linked to previous work.  
    • Findings or results addressed project question or goal with clarity, context, and objectivity; provided exceptional insight.   
    • Future recommendations based on findings are clearly articulated. 
    • Key takeaways from the project are clear and cohesive.  

  5. Effective Conference Presentation

    • Presenter has chosen the most appropriate content or technique for their presentation.
    • Visual display is well-organized and professional; materials are very engaging.
    • Delivery techniques make the presentation compelling.
    • Presentation or performance is of the highest quality. Presenter is well-rehearsed and prepared.
    • Presenter responds to all questions thoroughly and thoughtfully.
    • Presenter displays completely professional conduct and presence throughout the presentation/performance.