FW: Undergraduate Research COnference

[Sabin, Mihaela]

Abstracts are due Tuesday, April 19^th.

 

Please review very carefully abstract writing requirements and evaluation criteria at http://foss.unh.edu/opencomputing/index.php/Abstract_Writing.

 

From reading the four abstracts, I have the following observations:

 

·        Use paragraphs for the abstract components (or groups of components). One big blob does not do it.

·         Eliminate sentences that are too long. If a sentence is longer than 30-40 words, split it in two. If you list clauses that are too long (more than 10 words each), you separate them with ;  (instead of ,).

·        Do not include acronyms in the abstract unless they are used later on in the text of the abstract.

·        Watch the word count. Have you received packets with instructions? Is the word count 250?

·        All five components are important. Size-wise, however, the only component that can be bigger than others is Methods/Approach and/or Results. Motivation cannot be almost half of the abstract.

·        Use a professional, not informal tone. Avoid a ‘chatty’ style in which you have a laid back conversation with the reader.

·        Substance over style! Or, ‘show me the evidence, method, technique, tool, preliminary result’.

·        The abstract is a concise lesson for the reader in which they learn about new things: how you did, what you’ve achieved, why is your work professional, what are the underlying theories, tools, techniques?

·        Read each other abstracts.

·        An aspect that must be improved in all three abstract is substance with regard to methods/approach and results.

 

From: Donahue, Annie
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 5:53 PM
To: Macieski, Robert; Tenczar, Anthony; Karla E Vogel; Jonas, Michael; Sabin, Mihaela
Cc: Ruggles, Ellen; Reagan, Dan; adon...@unh.edu
Subject: Undergraduate Research COnference

 

Colleagues,

 

Thank you for supporting your students through this year’s Undergraduate Research Conference.  Ellen will be sending information to each registered student to remind them of the times of the events, the deadline for abstracts, and any other pertinent information.

 

I am writing to give you the deadline for abstracts so that you can encourage your students to meet the deadline in order to participate in the juried aspect of this event.  A short abstract must be submitted to Ellen Ruggles (Ellen....@unh.edu) by the end of the day Tuesday, April 19^th. 

 

Last year there were some students who did not submit an abstract and were disappointed to learn that their entry would not be a part of the juried process.  Students were given the appropriate deadlines, but sometimes important details are overlooked.

 

We want to celebrate all student scholarship/research.  Please remind your students to get an abstract submitted by April 19^th.  Thank you for your help spreading the word.

 

Cheers,

Annie

Annie Donahue

Associate Professor, Library Director

Chair, Humanities Division

UNH Manchester