Graduate Student Research Paper | 2024

Description

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Every year, SOPHE recognizes one outstanding graduate student for creative and innovative research as illustrated by completion of a research paper. The recipient will receive a $250 and complimentary registration at the SOPHE Annual Conference, where they are invited to give a conference poster or presentation.

This award fosters quality graduate student research and provides a mechanism by which to recognize outstanding graduate students for creative and innovative research. The award recipient is encouraged to submit the paper for review to one of SOPHE's journals: Health Education & Behavior, Health Promotion Practice, or Pedagogy in Health Promotion.

• $250 cash award
• Award certificate
• Complimentary registration at the upcoming SOPHE Annual Conference
• Presentation at the SOPHE Annual Conference (student is responsible for travel expenses) of the research upon which the award is based
• Recognition of the award in SOPHE's communication channels

Requirements

• Academic requirements: Students enrolled in a graduate degree program in health education within two years of the submission deadline are eligible for this award.
• National SOPHE Membership or chapter SOPHE member at time of application (visit http://www.sophe.org to join).
• Research must be submitted for consideration of publication in the form of a manuscript suitable for publication in either Health Education & Behavior, Health Promotion Practice or Pedagogy in Health Promotion. Publication guidelines are included in each journal issue and online.
• Faculty sponsorship form from the student's faculty advisor. The form must verify the student is following a course of study in health education or has completed degree requirements within the past two years
• The submitted paper represents the student's original work
• The research was conducted in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Health Education Profession, Article V: Responsibility in Research and Evaluation.
• Applicants must indicate their willingness to present the paper at the SOPHE Annual Conference (student is responsible for travel expenses).
• One may not re-apply for this award if ever won. However, there is no limit to nominator submissions.

Review criteria:

Papers will be reviewed by the SOPHE Awards Committee for their scientific rigor and contribution to health education research and practice. Specific criteria include:

• Problem: Importance of the research question
• Ideas: Theoretical base and conceptual contribution
• Approach: Adequacy and sensitivity of research design and methods, and adherence to ethical standards including demonstration of Institutional Review Board approval
• Findings: Contribution to existing knowledge
• Presentation of data: Clear presentation of quantitative or qualitative data linked to the research objectives and research problem
• Organization: Logical organization of the manuscript
• Contribution to health education research
• Contribution to health education

Winners are not automatically published. Award recipients are strongly encouraged to submit their manuscript to the Editorial Boards of the journals for review.

Application checklist:

• Completed application 
• Completed faculty sponsorship form
• Research paper (including all required elements)
• Evidence of National SOPHE membership or SOPHE chapter membership
• Student is willing to present research at an upcoming SOPHE Annual Conference
• Awards are recommended by the SOPHE Awards Committee and approved by the executive committee.