American Educational Research Association

SIG “Mixed Methods Research”
Outstanding Dissertation Award

The Mixed Methods Research Special Interest Group (SIG) of AERA welcomes nominations for the Outstanding Dissertation Award (2015). This is an AERA-sanctioned award and it is intended to recognize an individual whose dissertation makes an outstanding contribution to the field of mixed methods research. Empirical studies and methodological topics pertinent to conducting mixed methods research are considered appropriate submissions.  A successful recipient will receive recognition by the SIG in the form of a $1,000 honorarium. To receive the award, the recipient must attend AERA 2015 Mixed Methods Business Meeting. The chair of the student’s committee will be invited to attend the awardees’ presentation and will be recognized with a certificate.

To be eligible for consideration, the dissertation must be completed and defended successfully during the period of January 2012-December 2014. To receive consideration, an application packet, must be submitted electronically to both the AERA Mixed Methods SIG Chair Thomas Christ ( [email protected] ) and the program chair,  Lisa Foster ( [email protected] ) by December 15, 2014. Nominations may come from either faculty or from students themselves. If the dissertation is self-nominated, a letter of faculty endorsement from the student's dissertation committee chair or academic advisor is required.

A completed nomination packet should include the following information:  (1) dissertation summary, prepared by the nominee (typed, double-spaced, 10-15 pages); (2) a copy of the full dissertation; (3) letter of endorsement from the dissertation chairperson or academic advisor. The letter, must include the date of acceptance of the dissertation and it must outline how the dissertation contributes to the development of mixed methods research; and (4) nominee’s mailing address, email address, and telephone number. All documents must be in Word or PDF format. The nominee agrees that this work will not be submitted for a similar award that will be given during the 2015 Annual Meeting of either AERA or NCME.

A panel of judges comprising experts in the field of mixed methods research will review and evaluate nomination packets. The successful award recipient will be notified by the SIG’s chair by February 15, 2015. Please note, no funds will be dispersed unless attendance and presentation of research at 2015 AERA SIG's Business Meeting is confirmed. In case the award recipient will not be able to attend the meeting, the first runner-up will receive the award.