Undergraduate Research Program

Abstract and Artist Statement Guidelines

Abstract Guidelines

Abstracts must meet the following criteria to be accepted. While most are accepted, students whose abstracts do not meet the criteria will be required to submit a revision. Check out examples here.

Category 

Criteria

Text Formatting 
  • Title is in title case format
  • All genus and species names are capitalized and italicized appropriately (See style guide
  • No extra spaces at the beginning of abstract or title
Abstract format 
  • Abstract is a single paragraph with no headings
  • There are minimal or zero citations
Spelling & 

punctuation 

  • No spelling or punctuation mistakes 
  • Acronyms are identified the first time they are used
Present or past tense 
  • Use present or past tense in methods
  • Avoid “will be” statements (e.g. I will be conducting…) in background and methods sections
Role in research 

 

  • Use active voice (e.g. “I conducted X analyses” vs. “X analyses were run”)
  • While we understand that your work was likely collaborative, we’d like for you to make explicit the ways you personally contributed to this project
  • Be clear about your role in the project by using “I” statements instead of “we” or “our team” where appropriate. 
Context or Purpose 
  • Provide a clear understanding of the purpose, background or context of the research
Question or Hypothesis 
  • Make it clear what you are seeking to learn/understand and what your research aims are
Methods or 

Approach 

  • Describe how you are conducting the research and/or what methodology you are using
Expected or Preliminary Results 
  • Outline results or preliminary results
  • If still in progress, speak to anticipated results
Implications 
  • Share why this research matters, potential impact on the field, implications for future work, etc.

 

Artist Statement Guidelines

Check out past artist statements here.

Category 

Criteria

Text Formatting 
  • Title is in title case format
  • No extra spaces at the beginning of artist statement or title
Overall format 
  • Artist statement is a single paragraph with no headings
  • There are minimal or zero citations
Spelling & 

punctuation 

  • No spelling or punctuation mistakes 
  • Acronyms are identified the first time they are used
Present or past tense 
  • Use present or past tense 
Explanation of Work
  • Provide a clear explanation of your work
  • If relevant, provide background, context, subject matter, purpose, theories, and/or meaning of the piece