Table 3 Topics for instructional curriculum on abstract preparation and submission
Introduction | Benefits of abstracts to scientific community and personal career | |
Must standalone (different from abstracts for manuscripts or grants) | ||
Review prior accepted abstracts for content and structure | ||
Consider interests and expertise of audience | ||
Ascertain current interests and focus of society | ||
Doing the work | Start far in advance | |
Make data analysis and writing plans and timeline | ||
Inform collaborators of timeline | ||
All drafts to include required sections with headings | ||
Content | Ensure there is a story to tell and that it is salient | |
Ensure rigor of analyses, decide early if will need statistical support | ||
Allocate most space to results in text, tables, and figures | ||
Use technical and not creative writing | ||
Logistics | Review guidelines carefully for required structure, headings | |
Know word count limitations and formats for tables and figures | ||
Review categories of abstracts and select carefully | ||
Assemble authors’ names, titles, contact information | ||
Obtain correct conflict of interest forms, send early to co-authors | ||
Ascertain if there is a submission fee and how it will be paid | ||
Make it easier for mentors and mentees | Select society, targeted content, and collaborators | |
Agree to timeline and mode of communication | ||
Provide timely responses, feedback, and edits | ||
Be aware of concurrent responsibilities | ||
Be aware of and consider ways to decrease stress | ||
Make it easier for collaborators | Meet to discuss in advance, avoid last minute correspondences | |
Collect specific input early and incorporate into initial drafts | ||
Collegially give due dates when requesting feedback | ||
Convey their perspectives and interpretations are valued | ||
Make it easier for reviewers | Avoid multiple and unfamiliar acronyms | |
Avoid unnecessarily long sentences | ||
Ensure results are straightforwardly presented | ||
Ensure tables and figures are quickly understood and not cluttered | ||
Have a concise and clearly stated conclusion | ||
Use a declarative title that dovetails the conclusion | ||
Special scenarios | Presenting interim findings when more data to come | |
Deciding if one abstract or more than one | ||