Outstanding Honors Thesis in Data Award

The Outstanding Honors Thesis in Data Award recognizes Honors scholars who demonstrate an exceptional use of data in their thesis work. This award recognizes thesis work that utilizes data in rigorous and creative ways to answer theoretical and/or applied research questions. The data used in the thesis can be broadly defined as numerical or quantitative, qualitative or textual, image, audio, or spatial. This award values all forms and functions of data work. Recognized work will demonstrate strong methodology, clear presentation and visualization of insights from data, and relevance to or applicability of using data to solve real-world problems or promote data-driven decision making. All graduating senior thesis writers at Tulane University are welcome to submit their thesis for consideration. 

Submission Deadline: Friday, March 20 at 11:59 p.m. CST 

Award Contact: If you have questions about the award or application, please contact Lisa Dilks, Professor of Practice & Associate Director for Curriculum and Assessment at CAIDS (ldilks@tulane.edu).

Submit Application

Awards

  1. Up to two awards may be given (e.g., co-winners or first place and runner-up).
  2. Winners will receive a certificate along with cash and/or gifts valued up to $500.
  3. Award winners will be honored at the 2026 Senior Awards Ceremony which will be held in person on Thursday, May 14 from 9–11 a.m. in Devlin Fieldhouse.

Eligibility & Nomination Process

  1. Eligibility: All graduating seniors completing an Honors thesis in Spring 2026 are eligible to apply for this award. Students from all Schools and majors are encouraged to submit applications.

  2. Nomination Process: Students and their faculty thesis advisors should self-nominate for the award and submit the following materials:

    -500-word project summary of the thesis with the student's name and department. The project summary should not only describe the nature/topic of the thesis work but should also highlight the use of data in the thesis.

    -Copy of the full thesis in its current draft at the time of the submission deadline. There will be space on the application to discuss what work remains to complete the thesis.  

    -Letter of recommendation from the student's faculty advisor that addresses why the thesis should be considered, the student's research contribution(s), and how the thesis addresses the award criteria listed below. 

Evaluation Criteria

  1. Selection Committee: The selection of the Outstanding Honors Thesis in Data will be done by a committee of three CAIDS faculty according to the criteria below. For any conflicts of interest, additional CAIDS faculty will be used to review submissions.

  2. Criteria: The selection of the Outstanding Honors Thesis in Data will be based on the overall quality of the thesis as well as the creativity, originality, and rigor of the data work involved. The following are the specific judging criteria to be used in each category:  

    1. Overall project quality
      1. Originality
      2. Clarity of writing
      3. Contribution to the field or society
      4. Coherence of organization and structure
      5. Thoroughness
    2. Quality of data work
      1. Originality and/or creativity in the use of data (e.g., source, method, visualization, collection)
      2. Quality, rigor, and ethics of data collection and management/wrangling
      3. Strength of data analysis
      4. Creativity, readability, and accessibility of data visualizations (e.g., tables, charts, graphs)  
      5. Clarity of interpretation and communication of data findings/results