The Giovale Library Undergraduate Research Awards recognize students producing outstanding research projects such as: papers, videos, and blogs that demonstrate information literacy and the effective use of Library resources.
First Place
Angela Swensen for her project titled "The Impact of Clubhouse Participation on the Utilization of Mental Health Services"Faculty Advisor: Lesa Ellis
"I remember thinking, 'I sure hope I know what I am doing.' How would I go about research
when it is not an assignment for a grade? How many sources would I need? How the heck would
I develop a research question for the secondary data I would be analyzing? These how moments
prompted me to learn to ask for guidance from librarians. In this how stage I also honed
existing skills in the process of applying what I was learning, in the environment of the
Giovale Library, I gained a valuable understanding of the culture of libraries and research."
-Angela Swensen, Reflective Essay
"The Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation is relatively rare and there is
not a plethora of research available assessing the efficacy of such programs. As far as
I know, Angela dug up every single existing study on the topic, as well as a variety of
other materials to support and shape her project. Her passion for the topic really
sustained her through this difficult process."
-Professor Lesa Ellis
Runner-up
Marian Fackrell for her project titled "Loathing, Vanity, Nostalgia, and America's Royal Family: The Public's Love/Hate Relationship with the Kennedys"Faculty Advisor: Susan Cottler
"I did not realize exactly how generous the library's resources were until the entire
thesis class was actively led, with computers, through Diane Raines' explanation of
how to best utilize the data and what the library, particularly online, has to offer.
The numerous secondary sources I analyzed confounded my inquiry with their biases and
I had to adapt my plan of attack and seek out primary documents to compare alongside
contemporary conjecture. I was able to secure the majority of the information I sought
through library sources, but became addicted to the discovery of research gems, leading
me to dozens of libraries, bookstores, video stores, and antique stores, where I was able
to get my hands on rare magazines from my period of inquiry-including the famous Life
magazine with Lee Harvey Oswald on the cover!"
-Marian Fackrell, Reflective Essay
"Marian was consistent in her exploration for material and was conscientious about filling
in gaps. I noticed that her independent process of research was unlike that of other students
because it took her out of the classroom, off of the computer, and into the realm of what
has unfortunately become antiquated research."
-Professor Susan Cottler
Runner-up
Ben Walker for his project titled "The Effects of Premarital Sex on Marriage"Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Simonds
"Preparation is the foundation of a successful research project [my class] spent a
few classes in the library, where one of the research specialists taught the class how
to use the EBSCO Psych info database. The tools I gained from this experience seem simple,
but are crucial in effective research. We were taught how to use key phrases, what the
difference is between "and" and "or" with key words, and how to ensure the articles we
viewed were peer-reviewed and empirical research. This database put millions of academic
journal articles at my fingertips."
-Ben Walker, Reflective Essay
"Ben did some of the best work I've seen in this course over many years in terms
of finding relevant references to support his proposal throughout the process. Unlike
most student meetings of this nature in which students get to the targeted number of
references, Ben discussed the way he decided upon some, but not all, of what he had
found for his proposal."
-Professor Jennifer Simonds