Report Requirements: A report must be submitted that details the use of a reference material within the context of method development, method performance evaluation, or routine use of a method or the development of a reference material to meet a specific need. The report will be an essay format. Resources used must be cited on a reference page as an attachment. When a definition of a term is used that is not consistent with the AOAC definition, that definition and reference source must be cited. If the use of a specific reference material is described in the report, a copy of its Certificate of Analysis must be attached. The body of the report should not be more than three pages in length, and the font size used should be no smaller than 10 point and no larger than 12 point. This report, and all communications regarding this award, must be submitted in the English language. The report must be entirely the work of the author. All reports become the property of AOAC International. Copies of the award recipient's report will be made available to members of the TDRM at the annual business meeting. The recipient will be encouraged (but not required) to submit the properly formatted report to J. AOAC Int. as a short communication or research article.
Evaluation Criteria: 1) Content - how well the body of the report describes the appropriate use of a reference material or the development process of a proposed reference material. [70 points] The following criteria or elements will be considered in this part of the evaluation. Some will not apply, depending upon whether the reference material is being used for method validation, method performance evaluation or development of a new reference material.• What is the purpose of this analysis?• What steps were taken to locate an available reference material?• What criteria were used to evaluate the suitability of the reference material? (matrix, analyte range, stability, etc.)• How well does the reference material described or proposed fit that application?• Does the report describe why the reference material is needed?• What was considered in the selection of the analytical method?• What criteria were established in advance to accept, revise or reject the method or the results?• How well, in retrospect, did the reference material support the method evaluation?• What additional data quality evaluation was incorporated? 2) Creativity and originality. [10 points] 3) Clarity of communication. [20 points] 4) AOAC student member. [5 points]