TQ Oct 2009 Glasgow Junior Academic Forum Terry Quinn Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences University of Glasgow Sponsored through an unrestricted educational grant G-JAF

TQ Oct 2009 WHY To provide a forum for discussion of current and future research. To allow junior academics to network with each other and more senior colleagues. To facilitate development of research presentation skills. To provide a forum for informal teaching on research strategies and advice on succeeding in the academic sphere. Glasgow Junior Academic Forum

TQ Oct 2009 Glasgow Junior Academic Forum How to get your abstract accepted How to develop a career in research How to get a publishing deal

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings A structured summary of a body of work An exercise in writing with precision and efficiency A beginning a muddle and an end

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ?

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? Communication of science

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Focus the mind

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Curriculum Vitae Focus the mind

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Curriculum Vitae To get a publication Focus the mind

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Curriculum Vitae To get a publication Focus the mind Learned discussion

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Curriculum Vitae To get a publication Focus the mind Learned discussion Necessary for manuscript

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts for Scientific Meetings Why bother ? (fast) Communication of science Establish a reputation Curriculum Vitae To get a publication Focus the mind Learned discussion Necessary for manuscript It beats proper work

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Selection Process Abstracts centrally collated Independent quantitative assessment by “expert(s)” May be single / double blinded “Objective” scoring criteria Score for selection (oral / poster) determined (varies with number of submissions) approx 33% acceptance rate for international meetings

TQ Oct 2009 Abstracts General Points Should be a “stand alone” piece of work –No new information –No reference to manuscript Should be written after study complete / after first draft Clear, short sentences (reviewers not all native English speakers) Third person, active voice, past tense Avoid jargon, abbreviations

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Specialist v. Generalist Local v. National v. International

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International Difficulty: Often inclusive Difficulty: < 1/3 accepted

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International Difficulty: Often inclusive Difficulty: < 1/3 accepted ? Abstract published ? Abstract published in high impact journal

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International Difficulty: Often inclusive Difficulty: < 1/3 accepted ? Abstract published ? Abstract published in high impact journal Networking Research profile

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International Difficulty: Often inclusive Difficulty: < 1/3 accepted ? Abstract published ? Abstract published in high impact journal Networking Research profile Small size, useful discussion BIG size

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International £ £

TQ Oct 2009 Which meeting? Local v. National v. International £ £ Society travel grants University awards ST / SpR Study budget Industry

TQ Oct 2009 An abstract threesome Submission of original research to one local, one national and one international meeting (with one published abstract) is acceptable

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Title Terry’s brilliant review

TQ Oct 2009 Title Terry’s brilliant review Keywords

TQ Oct 2009 Title Review of TGF-β in CHD Keywords

TQ Oct 2009 Title Review of TGF-β in CHD Keywords Avoid abbreviations

TQ Oct 2009 Title Review of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Coronary Heart Disease Keywords Avoid abbreviations

TQ Oct 2009 Title Review of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Coronary Heart Disease Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific (Include design: avoid review of…; study of…)

TQ Oct 2009 Title Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum Transforming Growth Factor-β and association with Coronary Heart Disease Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific

TQ Oct 2009 Title Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum Transforming Growth Factor-β and association with Coronary Heart Disease Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific Be creative - maybe

TQ Oct 2009 Title TGF- β or not TGF- β that is the question Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific Be creative ?

TQ Oct 2009 Title TGF- β or not TGF- β that is the question Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific Be creative ?

TQ Oct 2009 Title Systematic review and meta-analysis of serum Transforming Growth Factor-β and association with Coronary Heart Disease Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific Be creative – maybe Be definitive – if the data allows

TQ Oct 2009 Title There is no association between serum Transforming Growth Factor-β and Coronary Heart Disease Systematic review and meta-analysis Keywords Avoid abbreviations Be specific Be creative – maybe Be definitive – if the data allows

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Authors Include them all (remember statisticians, original data collection) ….. and let them approve abstract before submission First author usually presents Author(s) may need to be member of society for submission What is your research name ?

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Section Some meetings may have only one section Space devoted to sections may not be equal Submissions for each section may not be equal Assessors for each session will differ Timing of sections may differ Some meetings have non-research sections (interesting cases)

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Platform Always choose oral platforms –Kudos –Better exposure –Publication chances increased –Posters are a hassle If not successful, abstract will be considered for poster

TQ Oct 2009 Abstract Submission GJAF SYMPOSIUM 2010 Title : Authors: Section: Trials □ Science □ Epidemiology □ Economics □ Platform: Oral □ Poster □ Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Max words:250

TQ Oct 2009 Introduction Why did you do this Keep it short One or two sentences summarising background If more than three sentences - rethink Clear and explicit hypothesis Avoid references Don’t overstate relevance – “This is the first….”

TQ Oct 2009 Methods What did you do The most important section …so spend a bit of time getting it right Describe statistical techniques Randomisation / blinding Describe population / intervention / control / outcome (try to keep blinded) Ethical approval / consent / disclosures are assumed

TQ Oct 2009 Results What did you find If possible avoid “p” and “statistically significant” Basic descriptive data on subjects Include all relevant data, assume only the text will be seen avoid reference to talk / paper Graphs / tables / figures not always possible (max one) may not link to abstract when submitted fro review may not link to abstract when published

TQ Oct 2009 Conclusion What does it mean Keep it simple (more than three sentences – rethink) Not a discussion Are conclusions consistent with results Avoid “further studies are necessary…” Conclusions not opinions May be only bit audience reads

TQ Oct 2009 The obvious Don’t miss submission deadline Don’t go over word limit Make sure you can go to meeting Don’t stop at abstract – full manuscript is the goal Try out talks at future G-JAF meetings