EdNews - Spring 2008

A Publication of the College of Education at Florida State University

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Sampson Wins National Dissertation Award

by Nash McCutchen

Sampson

Victor Sampson (left), assistant professor in the College of Education’s School of Teacher Education, has been awarded the 2008 Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). The award was announced at the NARST annual conference in April.

NARST is a worldwide organization of professionals committed to the improvement of science teaching and learning through research. Since its inception in 1928, NARST has promoted research in science education and the communication of knowledge generated by the research.

The 2008 Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award was open to all members who completed a dissertation within the 15 months prior to September 2007. Applicants provided NARST with an expanded abstract of their work. Of these submissions a small group of applicants was chosen to submit a copy of their complete dissertations which were then evaluated according to the significance of the research problem/area; conceptual/theoretical background; thoroughness of the research approach and methods; identification of conclusions/outcomes and their implications for science education; clarity and coherence of communication; and overall originality or creativity.

“This is a huge achievement for professionals in the science education community. We are all extremely happy for [Victor],” said Sherry Southerland, associate professor and coordinator of the Program in Science Education.

Sampson, who joined the College of Education’s science education faculty in August 2007, is extremely grateful for this recognition. This award “is a significant accomplishment for a new scholar because it indicates that he or she is able to conduct high quality and important research in science education. It is a great honor,” he said.