The document provides guidelines for Dillard University's 2012 Undergraduate Research and Creative Work Competition. It outlines eligibility requirements, how to enter, poster session formats, abstract submissions, set up details, special equipment needs, judging criteria, and awards. Students in all disciplines who conducted research or creative works under faculty supervision can participate by submitting an abstract by March 29th. On April 5th, participants will present posters explaining their work and be judged in categories like qualitative, quantitative or creative works. Cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers in each category.

1. 2012 Undergraduate Research
and Creative Work
Competition
Thursday, April 5, 2012
PSB Lobby
Set Up Time: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
GUIDELINES & PRESENTATION FORMAT
Eligibility
Dillard students in all disciplines, who engage in research and creative endeavors under faculty
supervision, are eligible to participate in the 2012 Research and Creative Work Competition.
Students must be directly and substantively involved in the various aspects of the research or
creative activity, especially in the conception and execution of the project. At least one faculty
mentor must be directly involved in supervision or the project. Students will display and explain
the results of their work and compete for monetary awards in three categories: Qualitative,
Quantitative, or Creative Work. Categories may be modified if there are less than five entries in
any category.
How to Enter
Students may enter this year’s competition by submitting an entry form and a 100-word abstract
describing their project to lstrong@dillard.edu, using “Poster 2012” in the subject line. The
entry deadline is Thursday, March 29, 2012. Entries received after this date will not be
included in the printed program. A schedule of activities and set-up information will be emailed
to all entrants.
Posters Sessions: What are they?
All participants in the 2012 Research and Creative Work Competition are expected to mount the
presentation of their work on a poster. Presenters will use standard size poster boards or printed
posters to describe their work using a combination of graphics and text. Student presenters are
expected to be available between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. time to interact on a one-on-one basis
with judges evaluating the project and with attendees viewing the posters. A well planned poster
communicates its message in a visually and textually powerful way, allowing the viewer to grasp
the information quickly.
Abstracts
Applications must include an abstract of 100-words, typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt., fully edited and
camera-ready. All or a portion of the abstracts submitted with the entry forms will be published in
the 2012 Undergraduate Research and Creative Work Program booklet. Decisions concerning
the

2. 2012 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE WORKS COMPETITION – GUIDELINES Page 2
final versions of abstracts will reside with the faculty mentor. Failure to submit a complete
application will result in “Abstract not available” appearing in the program next to the
contestant’s name. Categories may be modified based on submission of abstracts. All entries
must be displayed and explained in posters describing the results of the work.
Set Up
Exhibitors are responsible for delivering and setting up their work to the designated area of the
PSB at the specified time on the day of the competition (7:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 5th), and
for removing their work at the specified time on the day of the event. The University will not
be responsible for work delivered early or left behind, and assumes no responsibility for
lost, misdirected, or stolen entries.
Special Equipment Needs
Electrical outlets will be available on the day of the competition. Participants are expected to
provide any special equipment needed to present their projects (laptops, projectors, extension
cords).
Judging
Each entry will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Judges will be distinguished members of the
Dillard University community and local area institutions. The number of judges may vary
depending upon the quantity of submissions received.
Judges will utilize standard scholarly criteria including project development and purpose of the
research or creative work, analysis of the dataset, supporting arguments for the position provided
by the student researchers, and links to the conclusions. The abstract will also be included in
their review. The decisions of the judges are final.
Awards & Prizes
• First, second and third place awards will be presented to the first, a second and a third
place winners in each of three categories: Qualitative, Quantitative and Creative Work
• Categories may be modified if there are less then five entries in any category.
• Winning projects submitted by two or more undergraduate researchers will receive a
single monetary award.
Winners will be announced at the Award Reception on the afternoon of the competition and
disseminated widely throughout the University community.
Undergraduate Research Office * Dillard University * PSB 250 * New Orleans, LA 70122
Tel: 504-816-4446 * lstrong@dillard.edu

3. 2012 Undergraduate Research
and Creative Work
Competition
Thursday, April 5, 2012
PSB Lobby
PRESENTATION FORMAT
Each student entry will be assigned an alpha numeric number and a corresponding panel number
which can be placed on the upper right-hand corner of the poster.
Poster Specifications
• Posters are to be limited to 3’ high by 4’ wide.
• Posters should be easily read from a distance of 3-5 feet,
• Headings should include: Title, abstract title, names of all students involved in the
project, faculty mentor(s), and departmental/division, and other affiliations(s) if
necessary.
• Posters must be organized with appropriate headings to produce a logical flow of
information. Students in the arts are expected to discuss their project in written
statements, using appropriate photos, renderings, models, art work that explain
conception or themes, and medium used, process(es) employed in their respective
creative activity project. Electronic showing of creative work will have a five-minute
time limit,
• Visual materials such as tables, charts, graphs, photographs, etc. are encouraged,
• Participants are also encouraged to bring handouts of their poster presentations, and to
provide information on who attendees might contact for additional information.
Tips for Organizing Your Poster
• Place the title at the top center of the poster,
• Avoid hand drawn materials,
• Keep the poster simple,
• Avoid using jargon, acronyms, or unusual abbreviations,
• Make sure the poster has a logical flow,
• Space your information proportionally,
• Use color, graphics, charts, and photos,
• Two to three related background colors will unify the poster,
• Use a light background with darker photos; a dark background with lighter photos,
• Key points should be in large type,
• Do not try to tell the entire story on the poster. Save some key points for the
one-on-one discussions with the judges. Please plan to stand by your poster for the entire
length of the judging session.

4. 2012 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE WORK COMPETITION – PRESENTTION FORMAT
Page 2
Creative Work Projects
Every effort is being made in this event to recognize the myriad of art forms through which the
arts are communicated. Participants are expected to present the work which best illustrates the
creative path/personal research they are following.
Projects classified as “creative” may emphasize in-depth performing and fine artistic research,
creativity, and personal inquiry in such areas as music, painting, drawing, printmaking, graphics,
photography, sculpture, ceramics, dance, or performance. Projects combining one or more
artistic medium or interdisciplinary projects between fine arts and another discipline are also
included in this genre.
Presentation Specifications for Creative Work
Posters for creative projects must contain the following:
• a description of the student’s personal research in areas of technique and concept,
• how the presenter contributed to the creation of his/her work,
• a brief discussion of work entered in terms of how it evolved within the student’s
particular line of inquiry, and
• how the work shows the artistic process or communicates concepts.
Pointers for All Faculty and Students
1. Research and creative work, for the purposes of this competition, mean any form of
scholarship appropriate to the participant’s discipline. “Undergraduate Research and
Creative Work” is scholarship that is not truly independent, but embodies a partnership
between the student and the faculty member who serves in the role of mentor/advisor to
the student.
3. As scholarship involves expenditure of time and resources, the faculty mentor is central
to the enterprise. As a mentor of an undergraduate student engaged in research and
creative activity, the faculty member provides a sounding board for the development of
the problem, advice on design and methodology to address the problem, encouragement,
and suggestions about interpretation. All of this counsel is provided in such a way as to
encourage the student to make decisions. If the project is not student-driven, it is less
likely to be completed. The primary goal is for students to experience success.
4. The role of the faculty mentor during the competition will be to offer guidance,
suggestions when appropriate, and encouragement at all times.
5. Research and creativity involving partnerships with individuals, businesses, institutions
or organizations in the greater New Orleans and beyond are highly desirable. These
entities should be acknowledged in presenting the research deliverable or creative work.
6. As mentioned above, as part of the judging process at the competition students must be
able to articulate their role and to defend the concept and pursuit of the project.
7. Students should be attentive to the presentation of the work. Good work presented
well will be important.
8. Questions? Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at lstrong@dillard.edu
or 504-816-4446.
Undergraduate Research Office * Dillard University * PSB 250 * New Orleans, LA 70122
Tel: 504-816-4446 * lstrong@dillard.edu