CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR

THE  2013 DANIEL BELL AWARD

For Outstanding Social Science Research

At Abt Associates

This announcement seeks nominations for the 2013 Daniel Bell Award.  The Daniel Bell Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding piece of social science research carried out at Abt Associates, Abt SRBI, or Abt JTA. 

The award includes a cash prize of $5,000.  The award will be presented at our Annual Meeting in June.

Nominations must be submitted to Lorraine Murphy in Cambridge by COB Friday, May 3, 2013.

RULES COVERING THE DANIEL BELL AWARD

1) What research may be nominated?  Social science research should be construed broadly.  Nearly all analysis, evaluation, or data collection projects at Abt Associates fall within the intended meaning.  Projects may be in the public or private sector.  The research approach may be qualitative or quantitative.  The research must be represented in some form that can be made publicly accessible.  This may include project reports, presentation documents, or Web-based material, as well as published articles or books.  It may also include material that subsequently results from a project, such as an article (published or submitted) or a conference paper.  Nominations are reviewed by a committee.

The nomination should be for publicly accessible social science research at Abt Associates, Abt SRBI, or Abt JTA in fiscal year 2013 (April 2011 through March 2012).  This will usually be work that was either completed during FY2013 or written up or in some way extended during that time.  However, we recognize that the importance of some work depends on the way in which it is used and that this may not be immediately apparent; work done in earlier years whose importance has recently become evident may also be nominated. 

2) Who may receive the award?  The award will be made to the individual(s) primarily responsible for intellectual leadership of the research.  This will usually be one or two individuals.  The awardee(s) must have been employed by Abt Associates, Abt SRBI or Abt JTA when conducting the research.  If the award is shared by multiple individuals, the cash prize will be divided equally among them.  Members of the selection committee are not eligible to receive the award.

3) Who may submit a nomination?  Any current Abt employee may submit one or more nominations.  Employees may nominate their own research. 

4) What are the criteria for the award?  The research selected for the award will exemplify excellence in Abt Associates' work.  The award is established in honor of the high standards and insightful analysis that characterized Professor Bell's own work. Nominated research will be judged on the basis of:

•     Thoughtful design and careful execution of the research.

•     Integrity and insight in analysis and interpretation.

•     Clarity and accessibility of the presentation.

•     Contribution to general knowledge or to the ability to act on important problems.

5) How will the selection process work?  Nominations should be submitted to Lorraine Murphy in Cambridge.  Division Managers will be contacted for their comments and recommendations.  The award recipient will be selected by a committee representing different divisions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOMINATIONS

Due Date:  Nominations must be submitted to Lorraine Murphy in Cambridge by COB Friday, May 3, 2013.  The nomination must include a Nominating Statement and a Research Document.

Nominating Statement:  The nominating statement is usually one page in length.  It should explain the reasons for the nomination and provide the following information:

1. Nominee(s):  Name the individual(s) who would receive the award and indicate their role in the research being nominated (e.g., principal analyst, did the design, wrote the principal report).

2. Project:  Identify the Abt contract or other project under which the research was conducted and the division responsible for it.

3. Reasons for the Nomination:  Explain why you think the nominated research should be considered for the award.

4. Nominator(s):  Provide the name(s) and Division(s) or Department(s) of the person(s) making the nomination

Research Document:  Please submit an electronic copy of the research document that best represents or describes the nominated research. 

Thanks,

Mark