Kansas Herpetological Society
Awards Committee


Criteria for Evaluation of Oral Presentations and Published Manuscripts for
The Suzanne L. & Joseph T. Collins Award for Excellence in Kansas Herpetology


I. Quality of Study (35%)

(a) Analytical merit: Are study design, analytical, and statistical methods adequate and appropriate? (20)

(b) Technical merit: Do the interpretations and the results agree? (15)

II. Quality of Communication (35%)

(a) Structure and organization: Is there logical development and integration of the paper, including serial progression of results relating to the purpose of the study or hypothesis tested, and logical formulation and expression of conclusions, interpretation, and implications? Is the English language used properly and effectively? (20)

(b) Effective use (or non-use) of tables and figures (10)

(c) Acknowledgments, references, and abstract; Are appropriate acknowledgments made and references provided? Is abstract informative? (5)

III. Significance of study (20%)

What is the significance of the study in contributing to a better understanding of amphibians, turtles, and reptiles? (20)

IV. Originality (10%)

Does the study communicate and present unique or innovative methods, concepts, or interpretations? (10)

V. Comments

Comments will be considered in the event of a tie.


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