Here are our top 10 tips on how to prepare your abstract:
All research matters… never think that your research is not interesting.
Do not leave it until the night before the deadline to start working on your abstract. Draft it in advance, leave it aside, and come back to it later with fresh mind.
Check the abstract submission guidelines early on, to make sure you cover everything needed, and minimise number of abstract edits and last-minute stress.
Try to not just re-tell existing research. Think about what is different about the research you are doing, what gaps you can address, and how it contributes to the field.
Define the research question you are trying to answer from the start. Focus on the problem you are trying to solve and the message you want to get across.
Describe the story of your research clearly and succinctly – what were you trying to do, how did you do it, what did you find? You won’t be judged.
We are looking for research that can make a difference. Why is your research important? Discuss the potential impact of your work on clinical practice.
It is important to capture the attention right away, so make sure you choose a catchy title, which is also fitting to your research question and results.
Ask a colleague for a second opinion, to make sure that your abstract is written clearly and without mistakes. You can always turn to the SIOP community for help.
When submitting, select the correct category and keywords carefully, to ensure that your abstract is reviewed by someone in your discipline.
