1. 2010 Undergraduate Research
and Creative Work
Competition
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dent Hall Gymnasium
Set Up Time: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
GUIDELINES & PRESENTATION FORMAT
Eligibility
Dillard students in all disciplines, who engaged in research and/or creative endeavors under
faculty supervision, are eligible to participate in the 2010 Research and Creative Work
Competition. Students must be directly and substantively involved in the different aspects of the
research or creative activity, particularly in the conception and execution of the project. The
activity must also have direct supervision or involvement from at least one faculty mentor.
Students will have the honor of displaying and explaining the results of their work to 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 2010 in the subject line. The
entry deadline is Thursday, April 1, 2010. Entries received after this date will not be
included in the printed program. A schedule of activities and set-up information will be sent to
all entrants.
Posters Sessions: What are they?
All participants in the 2010 Research and Creative Work Competition are expected to mount the
presentation of their work on a poster board. Presenters will use 3’ by 4’ poster boards to describe
their work using a combination of graphics and text. Presenters are expected to be available during
their assigned time in order to interact on a one-on-one basis with judges evaluating the research
and with attendees viewing the poster. A well planned poster communicates its message in a
visually and textually powerful way, allowing the viewer to grasp the information quickly.
Abstracts
The submitted abstract must be 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
2010 Undergraduate Research and Creative Work Program booklet. Decisions concerning the

2. 2010 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE WORKS COMPETITION – GUIDELINES Page 2
final versions of abstracts will reside with the faculty mentor. Failure to submit this
information 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 Dent
Hall Gymnasium at the specified time on the day of the competition (7:00 a.m. on Thursday,
April 8th), 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. Two exhibits will be displayed at each
station.
Special Equipment Needs
Chairs and 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. The 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.
The 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
• Awards will be presented to the first, a second and a third place winners in each of three
categories: Qualitative, Quantitative and Creative Work
1st Place - $750 2nd Place - $500 3rd Place - $250
• 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 Program on the afternoon of the competition and
disseminated widely throughout the University community.
Undergraduate Research Office * Dillard University * Dent Hall, Rm. 106. * New Orleans, LA 70122
Tel: 504-816-4446 * lstrong@dillard.edu

3. 2010 Undergraduate Research
and Creative Work
Competition
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dent Hall Gymnasium
PRESENTATION FORMAT
Each student entry will be assigned an alpha numeric number and a corresponding panel number
on which their poster can be pinned.
Poster Specifications
• Posters are to be limited to 3’ high by 4’ wide,
• Poster material should be light weight card stock. Bi-fold posters will be difficult to hang
on the presentation panels, so make certain the poster is light weight.
• 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),
• 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 how attendees might contact you 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 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. 2010 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” emphasize in-depth performing and fine artistic research,
creativity, and personal inquiry in such areas as music, painting, drawing, printmaking, graphics,
photography, sculpture, and ceramics. 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 this research 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,
• how the work shows the artistic process or communicates concepts.
Pointers for All Faculty and Students
11. Research and creative work, for the purposes of this competition, mean any form of
0scholarship appropriate to the participant’s discipline.
2. “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 for 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 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 * Dent Hall, Rm. 106. * New Orleans, LA 70122
Tel: 504-816-4446 * lstrong@dillard.edu