Rules of the Competition
1)
2)
3)
4)
Biology papers that fall within one of the three categories listed below are eligible.
Deadline: April 5, 2013. The final paper and the completed cover sheet with the faculty sponsor's
signature should be submitted electronically to: fraley@hope.edu
Dr. Greg Fraley, Department of Biology - deKruif Biology Writing Award - Hope College
All papers must be keyboarded and follow the guidelines for one of the three categories; A) original
scientific research paper, B) review/term paper, or C) undergraduate research publication.
Winners will receive a book by Paul deKruif and a $50 gift certificate.
Category A: Original Scientific Research Paper
1) Format: Must conform exactly to the criteria for a scientific journal in this field of study (including
organization, sub-headings, writing style, abbreviations, methods of literature citation, etc.) You will
specify the professional journal format you are using on the cover sheet. The journal must be
recognized by the ISI and be rated with a scientific Impact Factor.
2) Published papers must be in at least “accepted with revision” stage of publication. Verification of
publication status via email from the editor may be required. The student entrant must be the first
author.
3) Criteria for evaluation of papers in Category A:
a. Content
Originality in thinking and conformance to accepted methods of scientific inquiry, coverage and
understanding of subject and literature.
b. Organization and presentation
Conforms to specified format, logical and effective arrangement of material, writing style,
clarity, conciseness
c. Mechanics
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, typographical errors, literature correctly cited and in
appropriate format; credit given to other authors where appropriate.
Category B: Review and Term Papers
1) Papers in this category differ from those in Category A (original scientific research papers) in that
original research by the author is not reported. Instead, the author describes, synthesizes, and draws
conclusions from the work of other scientists.
2) Format: Must conform exactly to the criteria for a biological review (e.g., Quarterly Review of
Biology; Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics). You will specify the professional review
format you are using on the cover sheet.
3) Because review papers describe the work of other scientists, extra care must be taken to avoid
"extensive borrowing" without proper credit.
4) Criteria for evaluation of papers in Category B:
a. Content
Coverage and understanding of subject and literature.
Ability to utilize literature.
Originality in thinking.
Synthesis of material from several sources.
Indication of some knowledge of subject matter beyond excerpts from literature.
b. Organization and presentation
Table of contents or outline.
Conforms to specified format.
Logical and effective arrangement of material.
Writing style, clarity, conciseness.
c. Mechanics
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, typographical errors, literature correctly cited and in
appropriate format; credit given to other authors where appropriate.
d. Summary and conclusions included
Category C: Undergraduate Research Publications
1) These are papers that have been accepted for publication (or accepted with revision) to journals that are
typically not rated with an Impact Factor and are typically a part of undergraduate research
organizations. These include, but are not limited to, Bios, Sigma Xi, JNCUR, JUNE, Michigan
Botanist
and
many
others.
For
an
extensive
list
of
journals,
see
http://www.cur.org/resources/students/undergraduate_journals/.
The specific journal must be
indicated and all formatting conform to that journal’s specifications.
2) Criteria for evaluation of papers in Category C:
a. Content
Coverage and understanding of subject and literature.
Ability to utilize literature.
Originality in thinking.
Synthesis of material from several sources.
Indication of some knowledge of subject matter beyond excerpts from literature.
Conformation to journal format.
b. Organization and presentation
Conforms to specified format.
Logical and effective arrangement of material.
Writing style, clarity, conciseness.
Clarity of tables & figures.
c. Mechanics
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, typographical errors, literature correctly cited and in
appropriate format; credit given to other authors where appropriate.
d. Summary, conclusions, and acknowledgements included.
Please relay any questions to Dr. Greg Fraley, fraley@hope.edu.