Ezra Lehman Library will present the 2025 Library Research Award to the undergraduate student researchers who write the best literature review as a part of their research with a faculty mentor. The Library will present a $1,000 first prize award and a $500 honorable mention award. The competition will take place in the Spring Semester of academic year 2024-2025, in coordination with Minds@Work, Shippensburg University's annual student research conference.
Special thanks are owed to late Professor Emeritus Berkley Laite ('67) and his wife Carol Laite ('65) who originally created and funded the early years of the Library Research Award.
Friday, December 13, 2024: Noon deadline for Fall submissions.
Monday, February 3, 2025: Noon deadline for Spring submissions.
Saturday, May 3, 2025: Presentation of award winners at 2025 Student Awards Program.
Cole Pearson, Class of 2026, Chemistry
Research Title: "The Use of Psychedelics in Therapies Targeting Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Cosette Curtis, Class of 2026, Social Work
Research Title: "Challenges of Women’s Reproductive Health: A Review of Current Literature"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Nicholas Kornilow, Class of 2025, Biology
Research Title: "Aspartame in Relation to Health Effects Upon Consumption"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Meghan Sharpe, Class of 2022, Political Science and Communication Journalism
Appellate Brief Title: "DeLuca v. Monroe County School District"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara Grove
Maria Maresca & Vincent Wijaya, Class of 2023, Political Science
Appellate Brief Title: "Pearson v. Jefferson County School District"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara Grove
Matthew Morine, Class of 2025, Applied Physics
Research Title: "The Ethics of Brain-Machine Interfaces"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Trevor Grohowski, Class of 2023, Electrical Engineering
Research Title: "An Overview of the Advancements of 5G Communication"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Adam Haertter, Class of 2023, Computer Science
Research Title: "Data Encryption Standards of Today, Their Benefits, and Their Relevance to Modern Cryptography - A Literature Review"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christine Senecal
Jessica Kuhn, Class of 2019, Political Science
Research Title: "The Pan American Health Organization and Aedes aegypti: A Literature Review"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Sachleben
Jack Goertzen, Class of 2019, Biology
Research Title: "The Necropotsis Pathway"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Thomas Frielle
Joshua Varone, Class of 2018, Computer Science
Research Title: "Improving the Performance of Web Cache Replacement with Machine Learning"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alice Armstrong
Jonathon Chester, Class of 2018, Geography/Earth Sciences Major
Research Title: "How Flat is Big Flat"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. William Blewett
Rikki Sargent, Class of 2016, Psychology Major, Disability Studies Minor
Research Title: "Job Performance, Satisfaction, and Retention among Workers with Disabilities"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wendy Becker
Aryanna James, Class of 2016 , Biology Major, Geography/Earth Sciences Minor
Research Title: "Behaviors affecting reproductive success in the Class Diplopoda (Millipedes)"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gregory Paulson
Rikki Sargent, Class of 2016, Psychology Major
Research Title: "Perceived Pressures and Time Allocation Differences among NCAA Female Volleyball Athletes"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. James Griffith
Shana Fentress, Class of 2016, Psychology Major
Research Title: "Parent-Child Attachment Effects on Relationships throughout Life"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ashley Siebert
Taylor Baker, Class of 2015, Psychology Major
Research Title: "Parent-Child Attachment Effects on Relationships throughout Life"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ashley Siebert
Mark Juers, Class of 2015, Biology Major-Ecology Track
Research Title: "Early Life-Cycle Phenotype Plasticity in Northeastern Vernal Pool Ambystoma spp. and Lithobates sylvatica Communities"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sherri Bergsten
Rikki Sargent, Class of 2016, Psychology Major/Disability Studies Minor
Research Title: "Expressive and Receptive Language in Children with Autism"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ashley Seibert
Erin Varley, Class of 2013, Exercise Science Major
Research Title: "The Effects of Caffeine on Anaerobic Performance: A Literature Review"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joohee Sanders
Joseph D. Hawbaker, Class of 2013, Geography Major
Research Title: "The Effects of Buildings and Structures on Microclimates: A Literature Review"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tim Hawkins
Winnie Okiwaare, Class of 2012, Biology Major
Yael Y. Gau, Class of 2012, Biology Major/Concentration in the Health Professions Pre-Med
Research Title: "The Dueling Triad: Shigella flexneri, Autophagy and ATG5 in Glioma Cells as a Potential Cancer Therapy"
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Lucinda Elliot and Dr. Allyssa Bumbaug
Chad Crumrine, Class of 2012, History Major/Minor in Anthropology & International Studies
Research Title: "How Ohiopyle Was Saved: The Environmental Regulation of Surface Coal Mining"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward
Joseph Sauthoff, Class of 2011, Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Arts Major
Research Title: "Scenic Designs of 'Expecting Isable,' and Directing 'An Inspector Calls'"
Faculty Advisors: Professor Paris Peet and Dr. Michael Pressler
Rebecca Rotz, Class of 2012, Mathematics and Economics Major
Research Title: "Factors Influencing Retirement Status (Retirement: When Will I Be Ready?)"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Freddy Siahaan
James Redington, Class of 2010, Chemistry/Secondary Ed Major
Research Title: "Determination of the Causal Agent of Rosette Disease (RRD)"
Faculty Advisor: Professor William Patrie
Corolynne Wooley, Class of 2011, Psychology Major
Research Title: "Relationship Between College Student Health Concerns and Health Anxieties"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Scott Madey
Ashley Martin, Class of 2011, Biology/Secondary Ed Major
Nitasha Kaur, Class of 2011, Psychology Major/Biology Minor
Research Title: "Elucidating the Role of Atg5 Autophagy Protein in Growth Characteristics of SNB19 Brain Tumor Cells"
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lucinda Elliot
The Literature Review by 
Preparing Literature Reviews-3rd Ed by 
Conducting Research Literature Reviews by What is a literature review?
According to A Dictionary of Media and Communication, published by Oxford University Press, a literature review is a "formal, reflective survey of the most significant and relevant works of published and peer-reviewed academic research on a particular topic, summarizing and discussing their findings and methodologies in order to reflect the current state of knowledge in the field and the key questions raised. Literature reviews do not themselves present any previously unpublished research. They may be published as review articles in academic journals or as an element in a thesis or dissertation: in the case of the latter, they serve to situate the current study within the field."*
Literature reviews may be done in any field or for any topic for which there is a published body of research, although they have been typically most common in the Social and Natural Sciences. A literature review can be simply a summary of the contents/arguments of the sources, but are more likely to have a thematic organization that includes both summary and synthesis. They may also uncover areas and issues which invite fresh examination.
In the sections below are some examples of literature reviews in various fields. Do not be alarmed at the length of some of the examples; your review should be 3-5 pages.
*"literature review" A Dictionary of Media and Communication. First Edition by Daniel Chandler and Rod Munday. Oxford University Press Inc. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Shippensburg University. 14 October 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t326.e1550>
The ACS Style Guide by 
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Seventh ed.)
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition is the official source for APA Style. With millions of copies sold worldwide in multiple languages, it is the style manual of choice for writers, researchers, editors, students, and educators in the social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, nursing, communications, education, business, engineering, and other fields. Known for its authoritative, easy-to-use reference and citation system, the Publication Manual also offers guidance on choosing the headings, tables, figures, language, and tone that will result in powerful, concise, and elegant scholarly communication. It guides users through the scholarly writing process--from the ethics of authorship to reporting research through publication. The seventh edition is an indispensable resource for students and professionals to achieve excellence in writing and make an impact with their work. The seventh edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect best practices in scholarly writing and publishing. All formats are in full color, with a new tabbed spiral version Improved ease of navigation, with many additional numbered sections to help users quickly locate answers to their questions Resources for students on writing and formatting annotated bibliographies, response papers, and other paper types as well as guidelines on citing course materials Dedicated chapter for new users of APA Style covering paper elements and format, including sample papers for both professional authors and student writers New chapter on journal article reporting standards that includes updates to reporting standards for quantitative research and the first-ever qualitative and mixed methods reporting standards in APA Style New chapter on bias-free language guidelines for writing about people with respect and inclusivity in areas including age, disability, gender, participation in research, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality More than 100 new reference examples covering periodicals, books, audiovisual media, social media, webpages and websites, and legal resources More than 40 new sample tables and figures Expanded guidance on ethical writing and publishing practices, including how to ensure the appropriate level of citation, avoid plagiarism and self-plagiarism, and navigate the publication process Guidelines that support accessibility for all users, including simplified reference, in-text citation, and heading formats as well as additional font options
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.
Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers by 
MLA Handbook, 9th ed. by 
