Judging

Each UURAF category is assigned a faculty judge who is familiar with the respective field. Categories with multiple sections (i.e., biochemistry may have 4 sections of posters) will each be assigned a separate judge. We try to have one faculty judge per 6-8 students so that each judge has ample time to evaluate each project. Graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research associates, and staff members will also be visiting presentations and offering feedback to presenters. 

When providing feedback, please remember our commitment to advancing a culture of respect at MSU, and that you uphold our values for advancing student learning and success.

What to Expect at UURAF

There is a great deal of activity happening throughout the event. An information desk is located on the Concourse and is a good resource for answering questions during the in-person event.  If you have technical issues related to the virtual event site, please use the chat box. Contact the Undergraduate Research Office with questions prior to the forum.

What Students can Expect from Judges

Judges will view your presentation and may ask questions about your research and scholarship. For in-person presentations, judges may ask questions at your poster or at the end of your oral or performance presentation. Some may offer feedback at the end of a session. For virtual presentations, questions may come through a chat function or a discussion session on the event website (Symposium by ForagerOne). We encourage you to respond to questions from judges and visitors promptly.

Judges

Judges will be sent instructions by email. All judging materials will be located online. Each judge must complete their evaluations and ranking by 5:00 PM on April 14, 2023, so the Undergraduate Research staff can prepare for the award ceremony. There can only be one first-place winner within each section. If you are interested in judging, please contact your college's Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs or their delegate.

Judges for Onsite Presentations

• Check-in at the information table on the Breslin Concourse on April 14. Each judge will receive a packet of information, including a name tag, list of presenters to evaluate, and directions. Proceed to your assigned location to begin viewing presentations. Return your judge form with the first place winner selected to the information table by 5:00 PM.
• Judges will be compensated for their time with a voucher for the Breslin Center concession stand and a free scoop of ice cream at the Dairy Store. If you have questions, please contact the Undergraduate Research Office by email at ugrsrch@msu.edu or by phone at 517-884-4384.  

Judges for Online Presentations

• Instructions will be sent by email.  Judging materials will be available online from April 12 - 14. The first place winner must be selected by 5:00 PM on April 14. 
• Online judges may be compensated for their time by visiting the information table at the Breslin Center on April 14 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. You will receive a voucher for the Breslin Center concession stand and a free scoop of ice cream at the Dairy Store. If you have questions, please contact the Undergraduate Research Office by email at ugrsrch@msu.edu or by phone at 517-884-4384.  

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be judged using the criteria listed below.  A five-point scale is used to judge each criterion: 1 = poor/not addressed; 2 = fair; 3 = good; 4 =great; and 5 = exceptional.  

• Delivery: The presentation was organized and delivered in a clear, engaging, and professional manner.
• Comprehensibility: The presentation could be understood by an educated but non-expert audience.
• Significance: The presenter explained the significance of the work, and how the work contributes to broader research on the subject area.
• Elements: The presenter adequately addressed the project's essential elements (e.g., introduction, literature review, conceptual framework, methods, and analysis).
• Current status: The presenter effectively illustrated the current status of the project (e.g., results obtained, discussion of findings).
• Visual aids: The visual aids were appropriate, effectively used, and appealing.

Judging Directions

• Onsite at Breslin Center
• Online at Symposium

Evaluators  

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and other volunteers will also be visiting poster presentations and offering feedback to presenters. Evaluators' feedback is intended to supplement that of faculty judges, but is not included when determining category winners. 

Evaluators for Onsite Presentations

• Check-in at the information table on the Breslin Concourse on April 14. Each evaluator will receive a packet of information, including a name tag, list of presenters to evaluate, and directions. Proceed to your assigned location to begin viewing presentations. We have created a survey for your to provide feedback to each student. You will need to enter the students presentation number into the on-line survey and will answer a series of questions about each presentation. Please bring a smart phone or tablet to the event. Paper copies are available, but you will need to manually enter the feedback into the survey system. Your feedback will be emailed to students after the event. 
• Evaluators will be compensated for their time with a voucher for the Breslin Center concession stand and a free scoop of ice cream at the Dairy Store. If you have questions, please contact the Undergraduate Research Office by email at ugrsrch@msu.edu or by phone at 517-884-4384.  

Evaluators for Online Presentations

• Instructions will be sent by email. Evaluation materials will be available online from April 12 - 14. Evaluations must be completed by 5:00 PM on April 14.  Your feedback will be emailed to students after the event.  
• Online evaluators may be compensated for their time by visiting the information table at the Breslin Center on April 14 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  You will receive a voucher for the Breslin Center concession stand and a free scoop of ice cream at the Dairy Store. If you have questions, please contact the Undergraduate Research Office by email at ugrsrch@msu.edu or by phone at 517-884-4384.  

How to sign up for an evaluation spot

We're using SignUp to organize Evaluators for this event. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/DRnWyMf
2. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.  Be sure to scroll through all the options--there is more than one page.
3. Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.

Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Evaluator Directions

• Onsite at Breslin
• Online at Symposium

Volunteers

Volunteers play a vital role in helping us facilitate a successful UURAF experience for our presenters and our visitors. If you are a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, faculty, or staff member, we invite you to volunteer with the UURAF Planning Team.

We are using SignUp.com to organize volunteers for the event. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: Contact ugrsrch@msu.edu if you are still interested in providing feedback to student presenters
   
2. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. 
3. Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com. 

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact us and we can sign you up manually. 

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities

• Room Moderators
• Judges Check In Table
• Presenter Check-In Table
• Volunteer Check-In Table