Transcript Abstract Submission

Glasgow Junior
Academic Forum
G-JAF
Terry Quinn
[email protected]
Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences
University of Glasgow
Sponsored through an unrestricted educational grant
TQ Oct 2009
Glasgow Junior
Academic Forum
WHY
To provide a forum for discussion of current and future research.
To allow junior academics to network with each other and more
senior colleagues.
To facilitate development of research presentation skills.
To provide a forum for informal teaching on research strategies and
advice on succeeding in the academic sphere.
TQ Oct 2009
Glasgow Junior
Academic Forum
How to get a publishing deal
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
A structured summary of a body
of work
An exercise in writing with
precision and efficiency
A beginning a muddle and an end
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Why bother ?
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Why bother ?
Communication of
science
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
TQ Oct 2009
Establish a
reputation
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Focus the mind
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
TQ Oct 2009
Establish a
reputation
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
Focus the mind
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
Establish a
reputation
Curriculum Vitae
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
To get a publication
Focus the mind
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
Establish a
reputation
Curriculum Vitae
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
To get a publication
Learned
discussion
Focus the mind
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
Establish a
reputation
Curriculum Vitae
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
To get a publication
Learned
discussion
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
Necessary for
manuscript
TQ Oct 2009
Focus the mind
Establish a
reputation
Curriculum Vitae
Abstracts for Scientific
Meetings
To get a publication
Learned
discussion
TQ Oct 2009
It beats proper
work
Why bother ?
(fast) Communication
of science
Necessary for
manuscript
Focus the mind
Establish a
reputation
Curriculum Vitae
Abstract Selection Process

Abstracts centrally collated

Independent quantitative assessment by “expert(s)”
May be single / double blinded
“Objective” scoring criteria

Score for selection (oral / poster) determined
(varies with number of submissions)
approx 33% acceptance rate for international meetings
TQ Oct 2009
Abstracts
General Points

Should be a “stand alone” piece of work
– No new information
– No reference to manuscript

Should be written after study complete / after first draft

Clear, short sentences (reviewers not all native English speakers)

Third person, active voice, past tense

Avoid jargon, abbreviations
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Which meeting?
Specialist v. Generalist
Local v. National v. International
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Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
TQ Oct 2009
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
TQ Oct 2009
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
Difficulty:
Often inclusive
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Difficulty:
< 1/3 accepted
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
Difficulty:
Often inclusive
? Abstract published
TQ Oct 2009
Difficulty:
< 1/3 accepted
? Abstract published in
high impact journal
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
Difficulty:
Often inclusive
Difficulty:
< 1/3 accepted
? Abstract published
? Abstract published in
high impact journal
Networking
Research profile
TQ Oct 2009
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
Difficulty:
Often inclusive
Difficulty:
< 1/3 accepted
? Abstract published
? Abstract published in
high impact journal
Networking
Research profile
Small size, useful
discussion
BIG size
TQ Oct 2009
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
£
TQ Oct 2009
£
Which meeting?
Local v. National v. International
£
Society travel
grants
University
awards
£
Industry
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ST / SpR
Study budget
An abstract threesome
Submission of original research to one local,
one national and one international meeting
(with one published abstract) is acceptable
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Title
Terry’s brilliant review
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Title
Terry’s brilliant review
Keywords
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Title
Review of TGF-β in CHD
Keywords
TQ Oct 2009
Title
Review of TGF-β in CHD
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
TQ Oct 2009
Title
Review of Transforming Growth Factor-β in
Coronary Heart Disease
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
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Title
Review of Transforming Growth Factor-β in
Coronary Heart Disease
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
(Include design: avoid review of…; study of…)
TQ Oct 2009
Title
Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum
Transforming Growth Factor-β and association
with Coronary Heart Disease
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
TQ Oct 2009
Title
Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum
Transforming Growth Factor-β and association
with Coronary Heart Disease
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
Be creative - maybe
TQ Oct 2009
Title
TGF-β or not TGF-β that is the question
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
Be creative ?
TQ Oct 2009
Title
TGF-β or not TGF-β that is the question
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
Be creative ?
TQ Oct 2009
Title
Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum
Transforming Growth Factor-β and association
with Coronary Heart Disease
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
Be creative – maybe
Be definitive – if the data allows
TQ Oct 2009
Title
There is no association between serum Transforming
Growth Factor-β and Coronary Heart Disease
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Keywords
Avoid abbreviations
Be specific
Be creative – maybe
Be definitive – if the data allows
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Authors

Include them all
(remember statisticians, original data collection)
….. and let them approve abstract before submission

First author usually presents

Author(s) may need to be member of society for submission

What is your research name ?
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Section

Some meetings may have only one section

Space devoted to sections may not be equal

Submissions for each section may not be equal

Assessors for each session will differ

Timing of sections may differ

Some meetings have non-research sections (interesting cases)
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Platform

Always choose oral platforms
– Kudos
– Better exposure
– Publication chances increased
– Posters are a hassle

If not successful, abstract will be considered for poster
TQ Oct 2009
Abstract Submission
GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010
Title :
Authors:
Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □
Platform: Oral
□
Poster
□
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
TQ Oct 2009
Max words:250
Introduction
Why did you do this

Keep it short

One or two sentences summarising background
If more than three sentences - rethink

Clear and explicit hypothesis

Avoid references

Don’t overstate relevance – “This is the first….”
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Methods
What did you do
The most important section
…so spend a bit of time getting it right

Describe statistical techniques

Randomisation / blinding

Describe population / intervention / control / outcome
(try to keep blinded)

Ethical approval / consent / disclosures are assumed
TQ Oct 2009
Results
What did you find

If possible avoid “p” and “statistically significant”

Basic descriptive data on subjects

Include all relevant data, assume only the text will be seen
avoid reference to talk / paper

Graphs / tables / figures not always possible (max one)
may not link to abstract when submitted fro review
may not link to abstract when published
TQ Oct 2009
Conclusion
What does it mean

Keep it simple (more than three sentences – rethink)

Not a discussion

Are conclusions consistent with results

Avoid “further studies are necessary…”

Conclusions not opinions

May be only bit audience reads
TQ Oct 2009
The obvious

Don’t miss submission deadline

Don’t go over word limit

Make sure you can go to meeting

Don’t stop at abstract – full manuscript is the goal

Try out talks at future G-JAF meetings
TQ Oct 2009