Abstract Preparation

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Abstract Preparation

• Preparing an abstract for the 2008 NZDA National
  Conference
• Bridging the Gaps whiti te aputu
• 1-3 September 2008, Hamilton
• With acknowledgement to Malcolm Riley, N D
  Supplements Editor

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Q1 Why am I doing this?

• Writing an abstract is work and there are lots
  of fiddly and annoying rules.
• It is worth sorting out (for yourself) why you
  want to submit an abstract, and what you hope to
  achieve

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Q2 Why is it so hard?

• Firstly, not all abstracts are selected so some
  people miss out.
• Abstracts are peer-reviewed, independently, by at
  least 2 reviewers. Are they impressed by your
  work?
• Abstracts are citable in a supplement to
  Nutrition Dietetics the standing of the
  Journal is built on your work.

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Q3 How can you maximise your chances of success?

• Make sure you have got all the annoying and
  fiddly bits right.
• Put yourself in the reviewers seat your
  abstract might be the 35th she has read.
• Your work should be correct, worth stating, and
  relevant to (at least some) dietitians.

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Dont Panic (theres plenty of time for that
later).

• The editors will not respond to threats or
  bribes.
• The abstract is reviewed on its merits there is
  no quota for type of abstract, or consistency
  with theme.
• A science-based profession looks favourably on
  work based on scientific principles.

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General Process

• Abstracts will only be looked at once there
  will not be the opportunity to modify your work
  after a first review.
• Abstracts must report what has been done, not
  what will be done i.e. the abstract summarises
  the presentation, it doesnt promise what will be
  presented

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How to write a bad abstract (i.e. what not to do)

• Make promises about what you will present, rather
  than summarise your work. You wont have the
  chance to present if you only make promises in
  the abstract.
• Use inkorrekt gramma, speelling or make other
  karelesss mistaakes get it right before you
  submit.
• Follow a format other than that given. The rules
  are, in fact, the rules.

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Abstracts 2008

• 250 words all the words in total must not
  exceed 250. Yes, these will be checked.
• No graphs or tables..
• Put your work in context by writing a (valid)
  concluding sentence.
• Make sure your co-authors see and agree to
  submitting the work they are required to agree
  to the abstract publication.

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Categories of abstracts

• Original research
• Review
• Viewpoint
• Insight
• Case study

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Categories Original Research

• Identify the context and your research question.
• Describe your methods including analysis.
• Outline your results
• Draw your conclusions

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Categories Review

• Have you identified a problem/gap in knowledge?
• Can you review the problem using a systematic
  process to collect information?
• Can you analyse this information appropriately
  and draw appropriate conclusions?
• Can you indicate the application of your findings?

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Categories Viewpoint

• Have you got a relevant point of view?
• Can you state this position clearly?
• Do you have a systematic way to use information
  for arguing your point?
• Can you draw appropriate conclusions from this
  line of argument?

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Categories Insight

• Have you observed something interesting in
  practice?
• Have you systematically collected information
  related to this observation?
• Can you describe this process?
• Can you describe the context and outline the main
  findings?
• Can you make recommendations for practice?

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Categories Case study

• Have you managed an interesting case?
• Can you describe the context?
• Can you outline significant information related
  to this case?
• Can you describe the main observation?
• Can you comment on the relationship to practice?

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Simple elements

• Why you did it
• What you did
• What you found
• What it means

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Timeline

• Website open to receive abstracts about by late
  January 2008
• Closing date for abstracts 14 April 08
• Authors notified By 21 April 2008
• Presenter registration date TBA
• Conference presentation 1-3 September 2008

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Final words

• Read the instructions on the conference website.
• www.dietitians.org.nz and follow the links to
  Conference 2008
• Dont be put off.
• Good luck!

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Contact us

• NZDA Supplements Editorial Team
• Jane Elmslie jane.elmslie_at_otago.ac.nz
• Carol Wham c.a.wham_at_massey.ac.nz
• Julian Jensen julian_at_jja/co.nz
• ND Supplements Editor
• Malcolm Riley

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Nutrition Dietetics

• Research supporting practice
• Theory generating new knowledge
• Practice testing effect
• Communicating experience
• Debating issues
• Keeping up to date