Abstract Writing Workshop

2-29-2016

http://sacnas.org/
 What is an abstract?

 Single paragraph manuscript that stands alone

 Self-contained summary of work

 Conveys significance

 Demonstrates your ability to effectively communicate your research

to an audience

 Quality of your abstract

 May determine whether anybody will read it entirely and/or come to your
presentation

 Promissory Abstracts
 Readers should be able to
ascertain…
 What you are doing?
 What your research entails – Background
 What methods you used and what were your results

 Why you are doing it?

 Significance
 What conclusions can be made from your results

 What questions are you trying to answer?

 Objective
 Hypothesis
 Basic elements

 Title

 Introduction (Background)

 Objectives/Hypothesis – Question/Problem

 Materials and Methods

 Results (Major findings)

 Conclusions/Significance

 Sections: 1-3 sentences

 Title

 Accurately describes what your story is about

 Include the key elements describing the content of study

 Commands attention from attendees

 Deciding factor on whether to read the abstract

 Targets presentation to the right scientific session

 Tips - Be succinct, specific, use active voice

 Examples of descriptive titles
 Bacteriophages as a therapeutic strategy to target adherent,
invasive, Escherichia coli associated with inflammatory bowel
disease

 The developmental origins of gender stereotypes regarding general

intelligence

 Diels-Alder product characterization and kinetic studies on 3,4’,5

trimethoxy-trans-stilbene with singlet oxygen

 Design and test of a copper-based, mini-channel solar water-

heating system

 Using Schlieren techniques to visualize and quantify the velocities in

a thermal plume of a non-premixed flame when an electric field is
applied
 Introduction

 Describe the general topic and why it’s important

 The introductory sentence(s) sets the stage for the project

 This sentence(s) is the rationale for the study

 Why you did a study is NOT because “its never been done before”

and it is NOT because “my mentor told me to”

 Objectives/Hypothesis
Question/Problem
 Your next sentence should clearly state your hypothesis and/or your
research question being addressed (i.e., your purpose, goal, aim)

 It is not imperative that it be written as a hypothesis

 Materials & Methods

 How was the study conducted?

 Follow with a sentence or two that BRIEFLY describes the

experimental approach

 Pertinent information concerning the methods without providing

details – animal model, cell model, chemical manipulation, duration
of the study, etc.
 Results

 What were your results? (may not have all but that’s OK)

 Briefly describe the results of your project

 Only include the most pertinent findings

 The amount of detail you provide will vary with discipline so consult
your mentor
 Conclusion/Significance

 What is the meaning of your findings?

 Provide a concluding sentence that emphasizes the significance or

implications (interpretation) of the finding
 A sentence that highlights the major finding of your project and its impact

 What is the “take home” message?

 Speculate if data is inconclusive

 Active and Passive Voice

 ACTIVE

Scientists have conducted experiments to test the hypothesis.

 PASSIVE
by
?
Experiments have been conducted to test the hypothesis.
 Things to be aware of when
writing an abstract

 Know the word limitations and any other specifications being

required (Please read the fine print)

 There must be a story to tell

 Your story may change by the time you present

 The term “significant” can only be used if data were statistically

tested and significance determined

 References should not be included in an abstract

 Things to be aware of when
writing an abstract
 Avoid the use of superfluous, million dollar words

 “Mean what you say and say what you mean”

 “KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid”

 Acronyms

 Have other people read your abstract

 Edit, Edit, Edit, Edit!!
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!!

 No excuses for typographical errors

 Poor grammar kills an abstract because it reduces its effectiveness

 A good rule of thumb to reduce run-on sentences is to limit

sentences to two lines. This convention also helps avoid wordiness
and lengthiness
 Submitting abstracts to present
at conferences

http://sacnas.org/

 Dates for the Spring Submission have not been announced yet
 Need to be a member
 Student 1-year Member ($15); 2-year ($25); 3-year ($30)

 Generally announced in February or March with deadlines being April or

May
 Last year’s abstract and travel award submission was May 15
Submitting abstracts to present
at conferences
SACNAS and ABRCMS National Conferences -
Caters to the interest of students.
Opportunity to explore, present, and network

2012-2013
Immersing environment filled with
vibrancy
Contains beneficial venues for
you to take advantage
Place for reunions and a platform
to talk about science!

ABRCMS 2015
 Statistics from 2015 ABRCMS
National Conference
 Abstracts Submitted: 2035
 1887 were accepted
Statistics from 2015 SACNAS
National Conference

 2015: More than 1000 abstracts submitted

 2014 – 1067 Poster presentations; 95 Oral

 SACNAS abstract submission
process

 A hypothesis or statement about the problem under investigation

 A statement of the experimental methods/materials used
 Results provided in summary form (even if preliminary)
 Conclusion
 http://sacnas.org/events/national-conf/student-postdoc-research-pr
esentations/guidelines
 Word limit = 250

 Due by 5 PM PST
 SACNAS Online abstract index

 http://sacnas14abstracts.conferencespot.org/presentation-abstract-i
ndex

 http://sacnas15abstracts.conferencespot.org/presentation-index

 Contains the abstracts of oral and poster presentations for the

conferences held in Los Angeles (2014) and Washington D.C
(2015).
 Review Process

 Two experts assign numerical score (1-5)

 Clarity – the research topic and motive are easily identified

 Communication – language and style are appropriate for a general

scientific audience

 Scientific Essentials – the purpose or goal of the study, project

methods and analyses, results (or predictions), and impact/value
are present and easily identified

 Abstract scores – Those that are below 60% were rejected

 Travel scholarship

 http://sacnas.org/events/national-conf/travel-scholarships

 Statement of Purpose Prompt

 3000 character limit – close to 500 words

 Unofficial Academic Transcripts

 Enrollment Verification (Transfer and Postbac Students )

 Letter of Recommendation Form

 http://bio.sacnas.org/uploads/ts/2015lor.pdf
Questions asked on 2015 LoR Form

 Please describe your relationship to the applicant? Please include information on how
long you have known the applicant and the extent of your interactions?

 What is the applicant’s current research topic? If not actively involved in research,
what are the applicant’s interests?

 Please comment on the applicant’s academic merit including his/her aptitude for
pursuing an advance degree in STEM or a related field.

 In your opinion, why and how would the applicant benefit from attending the 2015
SACNAS National Conference?

 What is it about the applicant that leads you to recommend him/her for the SACNAS
Travel Scholarship?

 Does the applicant have other sources of funding to attend the SACNAS conference?
 Yes  No  I don’t know
 Please provide additional comments and/or information about the applicant that
would help us evaluate his or her application.
 Statement of Purpose
 Your research interests and career objectives within your discipline.

 Your preparation for moving on to the next level in your education.

 How is the SACNAS National Conference a good fit for your

educational goals?

 What specifically do you hope to gain from participating in the

conference?

 Describe your need for financial assistance to attend the 2015

SACNAS National Meeting and why SACNAS should invest in you.

 Include any aspects of your personal background,

accomplishments, or achievements that demonstrate efforts to
further the SACNAS mission.
 Title - Authorship

 The title should be followed by the authors and their affiliations

 The first author is the primary contributor to conducting/writing the

study

 The last author is the primary investigator