Student Paper Competition

DC-AAPOR > Awards > Student Paper Competition

Submission Instructions for DC-AAPOR Student Paper Competition

DC-AAPOR invites entries to its 23rd Annual Student Paper Competition. The competition is intended to recognize excellence in scholarly research by students and to encourage active student participation in the chapter.

Purpose

The DC-AAPOR Student Paper Competition aims to recognize and encourage excellence in research on public opinion, survey methodology, and related fields. By providing students with an opportunity to showcase their work, the competition fosters engagement with the research community, promotes innovative contributions to the field, and supports the professional development of emerging scholars. The competition also seeks to strengthen the connection between students and DC-AAPOR, encouraging active participation in the chapter’s activities.

Criteria

DC-AAPOR welcomes papers in any field related to the study of public opinion or survey methodology. Broadly defined, students are invited to submit research on (a) theoretical issues in the formation and change of public opinion, (b) the theory and methods relating to survey collections, (c) the use of statistical techniques in the design, adjustment, or analysis of survey data, and (d) applications of data science, such as machine learning, for enhancing the quality or utility of survey data. Papers are expected to be the length of typical journal manuscripts (i.e., approximately 3,500 to 6,500 words) and will be judged based on the quality of research design, originality, significance, organization, and presentation. To see a list of past winners please visit: Student Paper Competition results page.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all current graduate and undergraduate students, as well as those who obtained their degree within the previous calendar year. Faculty and other non-student (professional) co-authors are acceptable, with the stipulation that an eligible student must be the first author.  In cases of multiple student authors, the award will be split evenly between all listed winning eligible students. 

Eligibility is limited to students attending or graduated from an accredited college or university in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, DC, or to students whose primary residence is in one of those areas.  Proof of eligibility may be requested for any submitted manuscripts, such as a student ID, transcript, or a letter from a faculty advisor confirming student status.  Previous membership in DC-AAPOR is not required, but non-members must become members to be eligible to win. Students can join DC-AAPOR for a $6 fee, as posted on the website on the day of manuscript submission.

Submitted papers may not have been published elsewhere.  Working papers, white papers, and term papers are acceptable submissions.  Conference papers submitted to or published in conference proceedings are acceptable for consideration for this award.  Papers currently under consideration for publication, including preprints, are acceptable for consideration for this award if the final manuscript has not yet gone to print. 

Award

The author(s) of the winning paper will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000. For multiple student authors on a winning paper, the award will be divided among the eligible student authors. Additionally, the author(s) of the winning paper will be awarded a guaranteed spot on the Conference Program to present their paper at the next calendar year Annual AAPOR Conference and the DC-AAPOR Conference in Washington, DC.  While the DC-AAPOR Conference registration fee will be waived for winning author(s), the Annual AAPOR Conference registration fees will be the responsibility of the winning author(s).  Finally, the winning author(s) and any honorable mention author(s) will be recognized at the annual DC-AAPOR Holiday Party and will be included in the running list of paper winners on the DC-AAPOR website.

Review Committee
The winning paper and honorable mention (if applicable) will be selected by a review committee composed of the award year and the next year (incoming) DC-AAPOR executive council members.  In the event that a paper submission covers an area of the field outside of the expertise of the review committee, the current DC-AAPOR president will be responsible for identifying two (2) experts on the topic to review the paper in addition to the review committee.  If a submission includes a co-author that is a current or incoming member of the DC-AAPOR Executive Council, that council member will be excluded from participating in the judging process for that year.

Evaluation Criteria

Papers will be evaluated using the following weighted criteria:

Quality of research design: 30%

This criterion assesses how well the study is designed to answer the research question. Strong research design includes:

  • A clear and well-defined research question (or questions)
  • Use of appropriate methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods)
  • A robust and justified methodology that aligns with the research objectives
  • Thoughtful sampling, data collection, and analysis strategies
  • Consideration of potential biases, limitations, and alternative explanations

A strong paper demonstrates a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible approach to research.

Originality: 30%

This criterion evaluates how innovative and unique the paper’s contributions are. A highly original paper:

  • Presents a novel research question or new perspective on an existing topic
  • Applies a new or underutilized method to analyze public opinion or survey research
  • Introduces a new dataset, theory, or approach to a relevant issue
  • Challenges existing assumptions or extends previous research in a meaningful way

To gauge originality, students should ask:

  • Does my research approach differ significantly from previous studies?
  • Am I providing a new way of thinking about the topic?
  • Would my findings surprise experts in the field?

Significance: 20%

This criterion examines the impact and relevance of the research. A significant paper:

  • Addresses an important issue in public opinion, survey methodology, or data science
  • Has practical applications (e.g., informing policy, improving survey methods)
  • Contributes to theoretical advancements in the field
  • Has potential for future research or broader implications

Students should consider:

  • Who benefits from my research?
  • Does this study address a current gap in knowledge?
  • Would my findings matter to researchers, policymakers, or practitioners?

Organization: 10%

This criterion assesses the logical flow and clarity of the paper. A well-organized paper:

  • Has a clear structure (introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion)
  • Uses headings and subheadings to guide the reader
  • Provides logical transitions between sections
  • Ensures that all arguments and evidence are well-integrated

A strong paper does not force the reader to struggle to follow the argument—it unfolds logically and smoothly.

Presentation: 10%

This criterion evaluates writing quality, formatting, and clarity. A well-presented paper:

  • Uses concise, precise, and professional academic writing
  • Follows appropriate formatting and citation guidelines
  • Includes well-labeled tables, figures, and visualizations that enhance understanding
  • Is free from grammatical and typographical errors

Students should proofread carefully and ensure that their ideas are expressed clearly and professionally.  Submissions must follow the consistent academic citation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, or MLA) for the author’s relevant field of study.

The Reviewing Committee will not provide feedback on submissions or rank submissions that do not win first prize or honorable mention.

Honorable Mention:  A second student paper can be considered for ‘honorable mention’ at the purview of the awarding year Past President.  The eligible author(s) of an Honorable Mention paper will receive a spot on the DC-AAPOR Conference program, and the conference registration fees will be waived.  Honorable mentions do not need to be awarded every year, and are exclusively at the discretion of the current Past President.  The Past President is not required to consult the Review Committee, but they may choose to solicit recommendations before making a final selection.

Ethics and Compliance

All submissions must adhere to ethical research standards. Authors should disclose any funding sources that supported their research, as well as any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the study’s design, analysis, or interpretation. Transparency in research practices enhances credibility and ensures the integrity of the competition. Failure to disclose relevant information may impact eligibility. 

For research involving human subjects, authors must state whether their study received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or was exempt. If applicable, documentation of IRB approval, OMB clearance, or other ethical oversight should be included in an appendix or noted in the methodology section.  Paper submissions may also be required to submit evidence of disclosure avoidance and data confidentiality review where necessary. 

Submission

Submissions must be in PDF format and include all relevant references, formulas, tables, and figures within the document. Papers should follow a standard academic structure with appropriate citations and formatting. Papers are expected to be the length of typical journal manuscripts (i.e., approximately 3,500 to 6,500 words).  Submissions must be sent via email to president.dcaapor@gmail.com by the posted deadline.  Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.