Religious Education Submission Guidelines & Awards
- 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
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Toggle Item6 Steps for the Abstract
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
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Toggle ItemPaper Requirements
- 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
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Toggle ItemWhat to Expect
What to Expect
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 the best presentation methods for your paper.
Religion Research Paper Award
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Toggle ItemBook of Mormon or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Scriptures
(e.g. insights, translations, scripture or doctrinal topics)
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
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Toggle ItemChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints History in Asia or Oceania Award
(e.g. pioneers, chapels, temples, early missionary work, apostolic visits, etc),
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
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Toggle ItemInter-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.)
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
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.