RMD Awards Information

The Research Methods Division (RMD) recognizes outstanding contributions to research methodology through several annual awards. Each year, the nomination deadline (typically mid to late March) and the individual to whom nominations should be submitted are announced between January and February via RMD communication channels. Below you will find brief descriptions, eligibility criteria, and nomination requirements for each award.

Award eligibility, nomination procedures, and selection processes are governed by the RMD Bylaws (Appendix B). This page provides a general overview for members’ convenience. In the event of any discrepancy, the bylaws take precedence.

The Sage Publications/RMD Distinguished Career Award recognizes a scholar who has made sustained and significant contributions to the advancement of research methodology in organizational research.

Eligibility

Any scholar whose work has advanced the process of doing organizational research by:

• Improving research design, data collection, or data analysis, broadly defined
• Improving the validity of conclusions or inferences
• Expanding the types of research questions that can be addressed

Contributions may be purely methodological or combined substantive-methodological contributions.

Evaluation Criteria

• Record of excellence in advancing research methods
• Impact on the science, teaching, and practice of research methods
• Stature of the nominee within the research methods community

Nomination Requirements

• A signed letter of nomination with written justification addressing:
  • How the nominee’s work has improved the way research is conducted
  • How the work has advanced research methodology in organizational studies
  • The potential of the nominee’s more recent work to shape future research
• The nominee’s current curriculum vitae

Anonymous nominations and self-nominations are not accepted.

Award Details

• Plaque and monetary award (recommended amount: $4,000), funded by Sage Publications
• Recognition at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting
• Award recipient delivers a presentation during the RMD Business Meeting

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The Sage Publications/RMD/Lawrence R. James Early Career Award recognizes early career scholars who have made distinguished contributions to research methods research, practice, education, and service.

Eligibility

Scholars within 7 years of receiving their PhD who have made notable early career contributions to advancing or facilitating research methodology. Contributions may include research, teaching, educational materials, methodological tools, workshops, or service to the research methods community.

Evaluation Criteria

• Excellence in advancing or facilitating research methods
• Impact on research, teaching, and use of methods
• Standing relative to other early career scholars
• Likelihood of continued contributions to research methods

Nomination Requirements

• A signed letter of nomination addressing:
  • The nominee’s contributions to research methods
  • The impact of these contributions on research, teaching, or practice
  • The potential for future influence in the field
• The nominee’s current curriculum vitae

Anonymous nominations and self-nominations are not accepted.

Award Details

• Plaque and monetary award (recommended amount: $2,500)
• Recognition at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting

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The Sage Publications/Robert McDonald Advancement of Organizational Research Methodology Award recognizes published articles or book chapters that significantly advance research methodology in organizational research.

Eligibility

• Published journal articles or book chapters with an assigned DOI
• Contributions that improve research design, data collection, data analysis, or other aspects of research methodology
• Eligible works may be methodological or dual substantive-methodological

Publication Window

Eligible works must be published within a rolling five-year window, defined as six full years to one full year prior to the award year. Publication date is based on print publication or DOI assignment for online-only publications.

Nomination Requirements

• A signed nomination letter addressing:
  • How the work has improved research practice
  • How it has advanced research methodology in organizational studies
  • Its potential to shape future research
• Full citation and access to the nominated article or chapter

Anonymous nominations and self-nominations are not accepted.

Award Details

• Plaque and monetary award (recommended amount: $2,500), funded by Sage Publications
• Recognition at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting

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The ORM Best Paper Award is selected by the Organizational Research Methods editorial team and is listed here in recognition of the close affiliation between RMD and ORM. Two awards are given annually, one for a qualitative paper and one for a quantitative paper. The RMD Awards Committee does not select the recipients of this award.

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The Sage Publications/RMD Best Paper Award recognizes the best paper submitted to the Research Methods Division program at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting.

Eligibility

• Selected from the top-rated papers submitted to the RMD conference program
• Papers are identified through the conference review process; no separate nomination is required

Award Details

• Plaque and monetary award (recommended amount: $2,000), funded by Sage Publications
• Recognition at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting

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The Sage Publications/RMD Best Student Paper Award recognizes the best student-authored paper submitted to the RMD program at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting.

Eligibility

• Selected from the top-rated student papers submitted to the RMD conference program
• Only authors who were students at the time of submission are eligible to receive the award

Award Details

• Plaque and monetary award (recommended amount: $2,000), funded by Sage Publications
• Recognition at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting

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