How to Write an Abstract for a Conference
What is an abstract and why is it important?
An abstract is a brief summary of your research or creative project, usually about a paragraph long (250-350 words), and is written when you are ready to present your research or included in a thesis or research publication.
For additional support in writing your abstract, you can contact the Office of URSA at [email protected] or schedule a time to meet with a Writing and Research Consultant at the OSU Writing Center.
Main Components of an Abstract:
Context
The opening sentences should summarize your topic and describe what researchers already know, with reference to the literature.
Purpose
A brief discussion that clearly states the purpose of your research or creative project. This should give general background information on your work and allow people from different fields to understand what you are talking about. Use verbs like investigate, analyze, test, etc. to describe how you began your work.
Methods
In this section you will be discussing the ways in which your research was performed and the type of tools or methodological techniques you used to conduct your research.
Findings
This is where you describe the main findings of your research study and what you have learned. Try to include only the most important findings of your research that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions. If you have not completed the project, talk about your anticipated results and what you expect the outcomes of the study to be.
Significance
This is the final section of your abstract where you summarize the work performed. This is where you also discuss the relevance of your work and how it advances your field and the scientific field in general.
Tips
- Your word count for a conference may be limited, so make your abstract as clear and concise as possible.
- Organize it by using good transition words found on the lef so the information flows well.
- Have your abstract proofread and receive feedback from your supervisor, advisor, peers, writing center, or other professors from different disciplines.
- Double-check on the guidelines for your abstract and adhere to any formatting or word count requirements.
- Do not include bibliographic references or footnotes.
- Avoid the overuse of technical terms or jargon.
Feeling stuck? Visit the OSU ScholarsArchive for more abstract examples related to your field
Human trafficking: The relationship between government efforts & survivor punishment.
By Amantia, R, Irvin, VL, Smit, E, Seifert, JR, Garcia, J
Context: Human trafficking is a global public health and human rights issue, although it remains unknown how governmental-level systems impact survivors of human trafficking. Survivor punishment (where federal or local officials arrest, fine, imprison, deport, or otherwise punish survivors) is evident even with global promotion of survivor-centered approaches to human trafficking.
Purpose: This study serves as an initial investigation of how government involvement in survivor services and prevention progress are related to survivor punishment.
Methods: This cross-national study utilized the 2011 Human Trafficking Indicators. Although this dataset heavily relies on the U.S. TIP reports, our analyses are guided by a human rights framework that recognizes the importance of prevention and partnerships in mitigating the vulnerability of survivors. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with survivor punishment.
Findings: Findings indicate that countries categorized by the U.S. as showing substantial prevention progress have a lower likelihood of survivor punishment (OR = 0.30; 95% CI [0.15, 0.62]). Government survivor service offering was not significantly associated with punishment (OR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.33, 1.28]).
Significance: Findings call for the development of global measures resulting from international partnerships to characterize stocks and flows of human trafficking, as well as the quality and effectiveness of governmental efforts and partnerships.
Guinea pig model of mild hyperandrogenemia – is it a suitable model for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? A pilot study.
By Juriana E. Barboza Sagrero
Context: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an idiopathic disorder prevalent in ~5-10% of reproductive-aged women. In PCOS women who become pregnant, many experience complications including increased susceptibility of having a miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes, among others. Additionally, exposure to PCOS may have transgenerational impacts: offspring may be at increased risk of overall poor health in adulthood.
Purpose: Many models of PCOS have been developed, such as the sheep and rodent animal models; yet these models do not provide a good foundation to study PCOS as it would appear in women, and to understand the effects inflicted on offspring later in life. In previous studies, a nonhuman primate model of PCOS which exposed rhesus monkeys to mildly elevated testosterone (T) with and without a high fat diet (HFD) during early adolescence developed many PCOS-like symptoms; however, transgenerational studies in macaques were challenging to pursue due to longer generational intervals (5+ years). We hypothesize the guinea pig is a good surrogate for primates and will show a similar PCOS like phenotype.
Methods: Eight Hartley Guinea Pigs were obtained prior to puberty, and had subcutaneous implants placed containing either cholesterol (n=4) or T (n=4) at 1 month of age and again at 3 months of age. Serum T levels and weight were assessed weekly, and females were monitored for signs of estrus periodically. At 5 months of age, after 16 weeks of treatment, all females were necropsied, and tissues of interest were analyzed, and some collected for histology.
Findings: The T-treated females did not differ in body weight by age or compared to the controls, similar to previous studies in rhesus monkeys. After the end of the eight weeks, the levels of serum T remained 2.01 +/- 0.5-fold increase above female guinea pigs in the cholesterol control group.
Significance: Further analyses are ongoing, but these results suggest the guinea pig sow may be a good surrogate model of mild hyperandrogenemia, similar to women with PCOS.