Brain dance

 

 

 

 

 

How are the projects judged?

 

    The projects will be judged by expert clinicians and researchers in the field; based on creativity, accuracy of information, scientific rigor and relevance to the issue of stigma.  Projects on any theme related to severe mental illness will be considered for an award.  The intent of the Brain Dance 2007 Awards is to encourage students to complete projects related to severe mental illness. While we are interested in projects related to the stigma of mental illness, submissions that do not deal directly with stigma, but show a high quality of scientific method, originality/creative expression and accuracy may receive high ratings.

    High school applicants are not expected to submit projects with quantitative data, but certainly any submissions from high school students that include data may get higher ratings. Submissions from graduate students should include data and solid scientific methods.

Submissions will be rated based on the following four attributes:

1) Fighting stigma - projects will get higher scores if they address the issue of the stigma of mental illness or it is clear from the submission that the applicant developed a more realistic appreciation of people with severe mental illness

2) Scientific Merit - projects will get higher scores if sound scientific methods are used and data is presented

3) Originality/creative expression - projects will get higher scores if there is evidence of original thinking or creative expression was used to present the applicant's ideas

4) Accuracy - submissions will receive higher scores if the projects are factually accurate

    Each project’s final score is determined based on a weighted average of their scores on the attributes appropriate to the format the student selected.  For instance, an art project that depicts mental illness might be judged on originality and accuracy and might not be rated on fighting stigma or scientific merit.  The scores for accuracy and originality would count twice as much as the scores on the other attributes.  Similarly, a empirical research project might be rated on scientific merit and accuracy, but not creative expression and fighting stigma. 

 

                                     

 

Submission Judging and Rating Scale

 

 

 

Point scale is based on level of completion

Applicant Number ______                   Rater Name:____________     Total Score:______

Item
Fights Stigma	1 Project not related to stigma	2 While topic was not related to stigma, completing it may have helped applicant develop a realistic appreciation for this population	3 Content of topic was directly related to stigma
Scientific Merit	1 No data collected	2 Data is available or planned, but methods are poor	3 Methods are scientifically sound
Originality/Creative Expression	1 Little original thinking or effort, project only summarized existing literature, no effort to make format of report more creative	2 There was evidence of original thinking or integration of multiple sources, but no new data.  Some creative expression was evident, but not a major part of the project	3 The project provided new data and/or ideas showed substantial creative expression or used artistic elements
Accuracy	1 The applicant misunderstood major concepts	2 The paper had some inaccurate information, but generally was factually correct	3 The paper was factually correct

 

 

 

 

 

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