GSS News: General Social Survey Student
Paper Competition
The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of
Chicago announces the 8th annual General Social Survey (GSS) Student
Paper Competition. To be eligible papers must: 1) be based on data
from the 1972-2000 GSSs or from the GSS's cross-national component,
the International Social Survey Program (any year or combination of
years may be used), 2) represent original and unpublished work, and 3)
be written by a student or students at an accredited college or
university. Both undergraduates and graduate students may enter and
college graduates are eligible for one year after receiving their
degree. Recent college graduates who completed an appropriate
undergraduate or senior honors thesis are encouraged to consider
submitting such research. Professors are urged to inform their
students of this opportunity.
The papers will be judged on the basis of their: a) contribution to
expanding understanding of contemporary American society, b)
development and testing of social science models and theories, c)
statistical and methodological sophistication, and d) clarity of
writing and organization. Papers should be less than 40 pages in
length (including tables, references, appendices, etc.) and should be
double spaced.
Paper will be judged by the principal investigators of the GSS
(James A. Davis, Tom W. Smith, and Peter V. Marsden) with assistance
from a group of leading scholars. Separate prizes will be awarded to
the best undergraduate and best graduate-level entries. The winners
will receive a cash prize of $500, a commemorative plaque, and SPSS
software donated by SPSS, Inc. Honorable mentions may also be awarded
by the judges.
Two copies of each paper must be received by February 15, 2002. The
winner will be announced in late April, 2002. Send entries to:
Tom W. Smith General Social Survey National Opinion Research Center
1155 East 60th St. Chicago, Il 60637
For further information:
Phone: 773-256-6288
Fax: 773-753-7886
EMAIL: smitht@norcmail.uchicago.edu