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
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Criteria
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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
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Abstract format |
- Abstract is a single paragraph with no headings
- There are minimal or zero citations
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Spelling &
punctuation |
- No spelling or punctuation mistakes
- Acronyms are identified the first time they are used
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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
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Role in research
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- 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.
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Context or Purpose |
- Provide a clear understanding of the purpose, background or context of the research
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Question or Hypothesis |
- Make it clear what you are seeking to learn/understand and what your research aims are
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Methods or
Approach |
- Describe how you are conducting the research and/or what methodology you are using
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Expected or Preliminary Results |
- Outline results or preliminary results
- If still in progress, speak to anticipated results
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Implications |
- Share why this research matters, potential impact on the field, implications for future work, etc.
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Artist Statement Guidelines
Check out past artist statements here.
Category
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Criteria
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Text Formatting |
- Title is in title case format
- No extra spaces at the beginning of artist statement or title
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Overall format |
- Artist statement is a single paragraph with no headings
- There are minimal or zero citations
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Spelling &
punctuation |
- No spelling or punctuation mistakes
- Acronyms are identified the first time they are used
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Present or past tense |
- Use present or past tense
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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
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