Required Information
- Your name and BYUH email address.
- The name of your faculty mentor (this faculty member needs to agree to be your mentor before you submit your proposal).
- A 200-word abstract that describes your research paper.
- Keywords related to your topic.
- Which Religious Education Award best applies to your paper.
Abstract Criteria
All proposals should include a 200-word abstract that describes the research paper. The Religious Education faculty will assess the abstracts and accept high-quality research papers that follow the content criteria outlined below.
1. Describe how your research topic fits into one of the following categories:
- Latter-day Saint scripture (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price)
- Teachings of latter-day prophets
- Church history (e.g., local church history throughout the Pacific and Asia)
- Inter-disciplinary or other gospel topics (e.g. religious freedom, science and the gospel, culture and the church, teachings of living prophets, religion and family life, family history, etc.)
2. Clearly define a problem or question.
3. Explain how your paper addresses the problem.
4. Define the specific material that you will examine in the paper.
5. Include a clear, original thesis statement/argument.
6. If applicable, conclude with a sentence that explains how the paper relates to the conference theme.
Religious Education URC Research Paper Guidelines
If your proposal is accepted, you will need to write a paper that meets the following criteria. Your mentor is available to advise you as you work on your research paper.
- Format: abstract included, 1800-2000 words (not including cover page and citations), APA or Chicago style, 12-font typed and double-spaced, and submitted as a Word document.
- Thesis and purpose: clearly stated, focused, with a faith-promoting purpose.
- Content evaluation: clear argument of thesis, solid understanding of topic, avoids speculative or unsupported sources, and unique contribution to the conference.
- Scholarship: includes full and complete endnotes/citations in APA or Chicago style, research paper (and not a devotional or testimony paper).
- Organization/grammar and mechanics: research paper is well organized, uses proper English grammar and basic mechanics for a research paper.
Paper Presentation
You will present your paper at the undergraduate research conference. You may choose to do a poster session or a live presentation. Seek advice from your faculty mentor on best presentation methods for your paper.
Book of Mormon or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Scriptures
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
Multiple religion research paper awards will be given, including the following categories: Book of Mormon or Church scriptures (e.g., insights, translations, scripture or doctrinal topics).
Each research paper will receive blind peer reviews from the religion faculty. The judging rubric will include the following:
- Format: abstract included, 1800-2000 words (not including cover page and citations), APA or Chicago style, 12-font typed and double-spaced, and submitted as a Word document.
- Thesis and objective of paper: clearly stated and focused, and promotes and strengthens faith.
- Content evaluation: clear argument of thesis, solid understanding of topic, avoids speculative or unsupported sources, and unique contribution to the conference.
- Scholarship: includes full and complete endnotes/citations in APA or Chicago style, research paper (and not a devotional or testimony paper).
- Organization/grammar and mechanics: research paper is well organized, uses proper English grammar and basic mechanics for a research paper.
Religion Research Paper Award
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints History in Asia or Oceania Award
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
Multiple religion research paper awards will be given, including the following categories: LDS Church History in Asia or Oceania (e.g. pioneers, chapels, temples, early missionary work, apostolic visits, etc).
Each research paper will receive blind peer-reviews by the religion faculty. The judging rubric will include the following:
- Format: abstract included, 1800-2000 words (not including cover page and citations), APA or Chicago style, 12-font typed and double-spaced, and submitted as a Word document.
- Thesis and objective of paper: clearly stated and focused, and promotes and strengthens faith.
- Content evaluation: clear argument of thesis, solid understanding of topic, avoids speculative or unsupported sources, and unique contribution to the conference.
- Scholarship: includes full and complete endnotes/citations in APA or Chicago style, research paper (and not a devotional or testimony paper).
- Organization/grammar and mechanics: research paper is well organized, uses proper English grammar and basic mechanics for a research paper.
Religion Research Paper Award
Inter-disciplinary or Other Gospel Topics
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
Multiple religion research paper awards will be given, including the following categories:
- Inter-disciplinary or other gospel topics (e.g. religious freedom, science and the gospel, culture and the church, teachings of living prophets, religion and family life, family history, etc.)
Each research paper will receive blind peer-reviews by the religion faculty. The judging rubric will include the following:
- Format: abstract included, 1800-2000 words (not including cover page and citations), APA or Chicago style, 12-font typed and double-spaced, and submitted as a Word document.
- Thesis and objective of paper: clearly stated and focused, and promotes and strengthens faith.
- Content evaluation: clear argument of thesis, solid understanding of topic, avoids speculative or unsupported sources, and unique contribution to the conference.
- Scholarship: includes full and complete endnotes/citations in APA or Chicago style, research paper (and not a devotional or testimony paper).
- Organization/grammar and mechanics: research paper is well organized, uses proper English grammar and basic mechanics for a research paper.