LRRT seeking submissions for the 2024 Jesse H. Shera Awards
Devin Savage, Chair
Library Research Round Table (LRRT)
nominatenowlrrt@gmail.com
CHICAGO - The Library Research Round Table of the American Library Association will present the 2024 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research and the 2024 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research. The deadline for submitting entries is March 8, 2024. The LRRT Shera Award Committee will judge the entries for the competition. The decision of the Committee will be announced by the LRRT Steering Committee Chair, prior to the Annual Conference.
Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research - 2024 Nomination Guidelines
All entries must be research articles published in English during the 2024 calendar year. Articles may be nominated by members and non-members of LRRT or by the editors of research journals in the field of library and information studies. Self nominations are also welcomed. There is a limit of one nomination per first-named author. All nominated articles must relate in at least a general way to library and information studies. Any research method is acceptable. Authors of nominated articles need not be LRRT members. Articles by joint investigators are eligible, as are articles generated as a result of a research grant or other source of funding. Research articles will be judged on the following points:
- Definition of the research problem;
- Application of research methods;
- Clarity of the reporting of the research;
- Significance of the conclusions, as judged by the Committee.
The author(s) of the winning article will receive a Certificate.
Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research - 2024 Submission Guidelines
The award is restricted to research designs that have been approved by the doctoral candidate's dissertation committee and that are about to be employed or are in the initial stage of use. Completed research is not eligible for consideration. Any research design is acceptable, but the topic of the research must relate in at least a general way to library and information studies. Candidates should submit a two-part paper based on their approved dissertation proposal:
- A brief problem statement not to exceed 500 words.
- A summary of the design/methodology portion of their dissertation proposal, not to exceed 2,500 words.
- A brief statement from the dissertation committee chair, supporting and approving the research.
Candidates for this award need not be LRRT members.
Papers will be evaluated in a double-blind, peer review process, on the basis of the following criteria:
- Clarity of the research design.
- The appropriateness of the design and method(s) for the research problem.
- Adequacy of the description of the methodological procedures
- The inclusion of definitions of important terms where needed.
- The adequacy of the data collection instrument(s) or technique(s).
- Appropriateness of the proposed data analysis for the research problem and methods.
- Innovation of the research design.
The winner of the award will receive a Certificate and $250.
To submit a paper for the 2024 competition, e-mail 2 copies (one in which your name and any other identifying information has been removed) in PDF format to Devin Savage (nominatenowlrrt@gmail.com) with the subject line: Shera Award 2023, Dissertation Research.
Award website: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/ors/orsawards/sherapublished/sherajesseh
About Library Research Round Table
The Library Research Round Table (LRRT) was founded in 1968 to contribute toward the extension and improvement of library research; to provide public program opportunities for describing and evaluating library research projects and for disseminating their findings; to inform and educate ALA members concerning research techniques and their usefulness in obtaining information with which to reach administrative decisions and solve problems; and expand the theoretical base of the field. LRRT also, serves as a forum for discussion and action on issues related to the literature and information needs for the field of library and information science.
About American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.
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Devin Savage
Dean of Libraries
Illinois Institute of Technology
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