Research Awards

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The ACPE Research Network Awards are open to all members of the ACPE. (Applicants are not required to be members of the Research Network.) Applications are reviewed and rewards are determined by a committee of the Research Network. The presentation of awards is made at the annual national conferences of the ACPE.

It is not necessary to meet all of the criteria listed here in order to be considered for an award.

This page provides information according to the following four headings:
[You may click on a heading, or scroll through the document.]

Criteria for the Student Research Award
Criteria for the Investigator of the Year Award
Criteria for the Research Center of the Year Award
How to Submit an Application

Criteria for the Student Research Award

• 1) Focus on Pastoral Education

• Research by a student should be conducted in relation to his or her educational goals in CPE or Supervisory Education.

• The researcher should be able to articulate the value of a research project for his or her own learning about the practice of research.

• The researcher should demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the subject of his or her research.

• 2) Quality of Research

• Research should be pursued according to clearly defined processes and objectives.

• Research should be based upon an awareness of pertinent literature, as indicated by a bibliography.

• Research should be pursued through sound methodology. All research must be conducted in accord with the rules established by the institution(s) connected with the ACPE center. [If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required, please address that approval process in the Award application.]

• Measures (e.g., questionnaires) used in empirical research should be appropriate: their validity and reliability should be addressed in any report of findings.

• Research activities should involve participants or consultants from multiple disciplines, if possible.

• The original research should show promise for publication.

• 3) Quantity of Research

• The Student Research Award is usually based upon one research project completed during the student's CPE program of the past year.

Criteria for the Investigator of the Year Award

• 1) Focus on Pastoral Education

• Research by a Supervisor, Associate Supervisor, Supervisor in Training, or advanced student should be conducted in relation to his or her professional, educational, or training goals.

• The investigator should be able to articulate the value of a research project for his or her own pursuit of the practice of research.

• The investigator should demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the subject of his or her research.

• 2) Quality of Research

• Research should be pursued according to clearly defined processes and objectives.

• Research should be based upon an awareness of pertinent literature, as indicated by a bibliography.

• Research should be pursued through sound methodology. All research must be conducted in accord with the rules established by the institution(s) connected with the ACPE center. [If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required, please address that approval process in the Award application.]

• Measures (e.g., questionnaires) used in empirical research should be appropriate: their validity and reliability should be addressed in any report of findings.

• Research activities should involve participants or consultants from multiple disciplines, if possible.

• The original research should show promise for publication.

• 3) Quantity of Research

• While the Investigator Award is usually based upon one piece of research completed or published within the past 1-2 years, multiple projects over several years may be considered. In exceptional cases, even earlier research may also be considered.

Criteria for the Research Center of the Year Award

• 1) Focus on Pastoral Education

• Students should learn about the place of research in the ACPE and in professional chaplaincy, including where and how to find published reports of research relevant to pastoral care and education.

• Students should learn to think critically about research pertinent to pastoral care and spirituality. Students may be involved in original research projects and/or CPE program components that focus on published studies and research methodology.

• Supervisors should utilize research--their own or that in published studies--to inform their professional work, such as their teaching, their program evaluation, and their provision of pastoral care at the center; and they should share with their students instances of their use of research.

• 2) Quality of Research

• Original research and/or research-related activities at a center should be clearly set out in terms of their processes and objectives.

• Research projects should involve an awareness of pertinent research literature, indicated by bibliographies.

• Original research should be pursued through sound methodology. All research must be conducted in accord with the rules established by the institution(s) connected with the ACPE center. [If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required, please address that approval process in the Center Award application.]

• Measures (e.g., questionnaires) used in empirical research should be appropriate: their validity and reliability should be addressed in any report of findings.

• Specific research activities should be assessed for how they play into an overall research plan at the center (e.g., implications for education, quality improvement, and further original research).

• Research activities should involve participants or consultants from multiple disciplines, if possible.

• Original research at the center should show promise for publication.

• 3) Quantity of Research

• While the quality of research is paramount, the quantity of research in not irrelevant. An application for the Center Award should address the amount of research-related activity (e.g., educational activities, events, original research projects) up to the present time and/or in a given year.

• A single, well-done research project by a center may be worthy of award consideration.

• 4) Research Atmosphere in Center

• The center should have clear goals for research.

• The center should provide a climate that promotes not only original research but education about research.

• The center should have the support of its associated institution(s) for the pursuit of research.

How to Submit an Application

• Form of Application

• There is no standard application form. Applicants should consider submitting whatever materials may best convey the student's, investigator's, or center's accomplishment.

• For the Student Award and the Investigator Award, applicants are encouraged to submit the formal project write-up or, if published, a copy of the final article along with a cover letter addressing various award criteria (but which does not have to be limited merely to the various criteria points or to typical cover-letter length).

• For the Center Award, applications may be in the form of a narrative, addressing the various award criteria (but which does not have to be limited merely to the various criteria points). Supporting documentation--especially project reports or drafts/copies of original research articles--is encouraged.

• Mail materials to the Network Convener:

• Chaplain John Ehman
  Pastoral Care Department, W-108
  Presbyterian Medical Center
  51 N. 39 St.
  Philadelphia, PA 19104

• For questions or further information, contact the Network Convener:

• Phone: 215-662-8849
  E-mail: john.ehman@uphs.upenn.edu

If you have suggestions about the form and/or content of the site, e-mail Chaplain John Ehman (Network Convener) at john.ehman@uphs.upenn.edu .
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The ACPE Research Network. All rights reserved.