ANNOUNCING THE ACADEMY FOR PARK & RECREATION ADMINISTRATION BEST DISSERTATION AWARD ANNUAL COMPETITION

The Academy (AAPRA) is an organization of distinguished practitioners and scholars committed to the advancement of the park and recreation field. We have three primary purposes:

1.       The purpose of the Academy is to advance knowledge related to the administration of public parks and recreation.

2.       To encourage scholarly efforts both by practitioners and educators to enhance the practice of public parks and recreation administration, and to promote broader public understanding of the importance of public parks and recreation to the public good.

3.       To conduct research, publish scholarly papers, and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of public parks and recreation administration.

DESCRIPTION: In light of the Academy’s focus, we host an annual competition that alternates yearly between best paper and best doctoral dissertation.  In even numbered years (e.g. 2014) we host the BEST DOCTORAL DISSERTATION AWARD.

TIMELINE: The Call for Papers goes out to colleges and universities that have known parks and recreation degree programs each year. In March, students submit abstracts/executive summaries for consideration. The Selection Committee narrows down the submissions to the top three entries and, in May those students are invited to submit a copy of the dissertation. Competition participants are notified in early July as to the status of their entry. A presentation to the awardee is made at the AAPRA Annual Business meeting, which is held in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association Annual Congress each fall.

THE AWARD:

The Best Dissertation Award Winner receives $1,000 and up to $500 to assist with travel expenses to the Annual Meeting. In addition, the Academy works to have the executive summary published in a professional publication. The two Runners-Up receive public recognition and Certificates of Merit for their outstanding work.

BEST PAPER/BEST DISSERTATION 
AWARD COMPETITION

ELIGIBILITY

1.       For the dissertation award, the submission must have been written as a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a doctoral degree.

2.       The paper must have been completed in the previous two (2) calendar years (2012 or 2013).

3.       The paper should make a contribution to scholarly literature and have clear implications for the improved practice of park and recreation administration.

4.       The writer of the winning paper must personally attend the Academy’s annual meeting during the National Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Congress and present a five (5) minute synopsis of the paper.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

1.       An electronic copy of an executive summary of the paper, not exceeding 1000 words is be submitted to the Chair of the Academy’s Best Paper Award Committee (Chris Nunes, Ph.D, CPRE Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township, Texas at cnunes@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov).  Summaries exceeding this word limit will not be considered.  Submittals are due no later than March 14, 2014.

2.       Only the title of the paper should appear on the executive summary (no personally identifying information). Include a separate cover page that identifies the: student’s name, current email address and phone number; guiding professor’s name, current email address and phone number; date on which the paper was completed; and title of the paper.

3.       The Academy’s Best Paper Award Committee will undertake a blind review of the executive summary.

4.       Writers of the three (3) executive summaries that receive the highest ratings will be requested to submit a full electronic copy of their paper to the Committee Chair. The committee will then review each paper and select the winner.

REVIEW CRITERIA

A committee of Academy members will evaluate the executive summaries and the invited full papers using the following weighted scoring system:

1.       RELATIONSHIP TO PARK AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION (15 pts)

        The subject matter must relate to park and recreation administration in some way. While it may use a separate disciplinary approach – for example, management, marketing, economics, financing, evaluation, or social psychology – it must have relevance to park and recreation administration in the broad context. Given these parameters, is the topic timely and of importance?

2.       QUALITY OF THE PROBLEM DEVELOPMENT (25 pts)

        The methodology should be clearly presented and demonstrate knowledge of techniques appropriate to the research and its objectives (research questions, hypotheses). Methodological quality should be judged in the context of the discipline and appropriateness to the study. For example, economic studies are likely to utilize a different methodology from those pertaining to management. Similarly, ease study, quantitative, historical, and phenomenological studies will adopt different methodologies.

3.       CREATIVE APPROACH (20 pts)

        The study should make a creative contribution to the discipline and/or profession. Does the study examine a new problem? Does the study make a creative contribution to the knowledge of park and recreation administration? Does the study use new techniques to examine an old problem? Does the study extend the topic beyond our present understanding?

4.       USEFULNESS AND APPLICABILITY (20 pts)

        While the development of theory is important, the study should have implications for the improved practice of park and recreation administration. This criterion is concerned with measuring the application to practice.

5.       QUALITY OF PRESENTATION (20 pts)

        The quality of the writing, including readability and use of graphics, is measured by this criterion. Although technical jargon may be necessary, practitioners should understand the writing. Overall organization, continuity and clarity, along with the quality of the style and grammar fall within this criterion.

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