Abstract Tips

After you register, you will receive a confirmation page with a link to the abstract submission form.

An abstract is a concise, independent summary of your research. By reading the abstract, a reader should learn the research question, the approach used to answer that question, and relevant findings. Abstracts will be printed in the conference program book and made available to all meeting attendees.

General Guidelines

  • The abstract should be written as one paragraph 
  • The abstract should not exceed 250 words
  • Presentation titles and authors sections are entered as separate fields on the submission form and should not be included in the abstract file
  • The abstract should not contain formal citations to published work or literature 
  • Footnotes should not be included, although a funding acknowledgement may be included at the end of the abstract
  • While technical terms and scientific formulas are appropriate, avoid using abbreviations in the abstract unless the abbreviation is clearly explained.
  • A good abstract contains the following elements:
  1. Clear research statement/hypothesis
  2. Brief statement of research methodologies
  3. Brief statement of research conclusions
  4. Clear sense of how the research fits into the bigger picture

Sample Abstracts

These sample abstracts from award winning presentations may provide useful examples. (Download PDF).

Posters by Professional Researchers (Non-students)

Non-student presenters attending the Annual Meeting are invited to show their recent research in this ongoing Professional Research Poster Session. Professional posters are located adjacent to student presentations to facilitate ample discussion and interaction. The option to bring a scientific poster is available during registration. An abstract is required and will be printed in the conference program if received before the print deadline posted. After you have successfully registered, you will be sent an email with a link to submit your abstract online. Delegates may present both a chapter poster and a scientific poster.

Abstracts from Presenting Students are not accepted via e-mail.

*The Sigma Xi Student Research Conference is primarily a conference of graduate and undergraduate students. A limited number of submissions will be accepted from high school students who have a university faculty member as their primary research advisor as space allows. All students who are under the age of 18 must have an adult chaperone to participate at the conference.

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