CES/CESEF STUDENT PAPER CONTEST

The Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and the Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund * (CESEF)are conducting its Student Paper Contest. The contest provides exposure to promising students who study or have an interest in evaluation. Awards will be granted for the best papers written in the field of evaluation.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any full or part-time undergraduate/graduate student, from all fields and/or disciplines, enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a Canadian post secondary institution are eligible to compete. Contestants must be registered as a student as of the submission deadline date (March 19, 2007). There is no limit on the number of papers submitted per student. Co-authorship (by two or more students, not faculty) is permitted but the prize amounts remain the same. Work that has been accepted for publication, or that has already been published, is not eligible in the contest.

What are the awards?

Winner

• Conference Registration fees, travel, accommodation and meals at the Annual National Conference to be held June 3 to 6, 2007 in Winnipeg, Manitba, are covered by the CES. Only transportation from within Canada is covered and must be economy class (with early booking for the least expensive fare). Single accommodation is provided for the duration of the conference at the conference hotel and meal allowances are to be in line with federal government guidelines.
• Presentation of award at plenary session of CES annual national conference.
• Cash prize of $500.
• Publication of abstract in a CES Web news broadcast.
• Invitation to present at a paper session at the annual national conference.
• Automatic consideration for publication in the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation (CJPE). This does not mean, however, that the paper will be published as the decision rests with the CJPE editors. Standards for refereed journals will be applied. Should the paper be published, the following statement must be included: "This paper was awarded first prize in the 2007 Annual Student Paper Contest of the Canadian Evaluation Society and the Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund."

Honourable mention

• Cash prize of $300.
• Publication of abstract in a CES Web news broadcast.
• Automatic consideration for publication in the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation (CJPE). This does not mean, however, that the paper will be published as the decision rests with the CJPE editors. Standards for refereed journals will be applied. Should the paper be published, the following statement must be included: "This paper was awarded honourable mention in the 2007 Annual Student Paper Contest of the Canadian Evaluation Society and the Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund."

How does the contest work?

Papers should contribute to the advancement of the theory and practice of program evaluation in Canada. Papers may be on all aspects of the theory and practice of evaluation, including methodology, evaluation standards, implementation of evaluations, reporting and use of studies, and the audit or meta-evaluation of evaluation. Original research on evaluation practice, consequences, etc. is encouraged. Papers based on summaries of actual evaluations should address cross-cutting evaluation issues, lessons learned, etc.

Criteria: Submitted papers will be evaluated in relation to:

• Significance of topic
• Literature review
• Conceptualization
• Methodology (if applicable)
• Data analyses (if applicable)
• Interpretation
• Clarity of presentation
• Validity of conclusions
• Reader interest

What is the Submission Process?

Papers for consideration in the contest should be sent directly to:

J. Brad Cousins, Ph.D.
Chair, CES/CESEF Student Paper Contest
c/o Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa
145 Jean Jacques Lussier
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
cjpe@uottawa.ca 

• Submit 4 copies of the paper AND an electronic version of the file in rich text format (rtf) to the above address.
• Papers, in either official language, should not exceed a maximum of 30 typewritten, double-spaced pages. Papers must include an abstract in both official languages of no more than 100 words.
• All papers must be typed, double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11 inch white paper. One-inch margins are required on all four sides.
• All tables and figures must be numbered separately and grouped together at the end of the manuscript. Clearly visible notes within the text should indicate their approximate placement.
• Papers must conform to the referencing format of the fifth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001).
• Content footnotes are discouraged and should be used only when absolutely necessary.
• All submitted papers will be anonymously reviewed. Author identifying information should therefore be limited to the title page for easy removal.
• For more information please refer to the style sheet for submissions to the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation .

What is the deadline for submissions?

Submissions must be postmarked March 19, 2007. Papers received after this date will not be considered.

Students will be notified of the contest results no later than April 16, 2007. The decisions of the judges are final.

For further information on the CES/CESEF Student Paper Contest contact Brad Cousins at the address above or by email at: cjpe@uottawa.ca 

* The Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund is registered Canadian Charity #12276 9094 RR0001. For more information on becoming a member or making a donation, visit evaluation-education.org .