Call for Abstracts

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

American Association for the History of Nursing, Inc.
International Perspectives on Nursing History
London, England
September 14–16, 2010

The American Association for the History of Nursing (AAHN) and the European Nursing History Group (ENHG) are pleased to announce their international conference in the History of Nursing and Midwifery. Join us September 14–16, 2010 for this landmark event and present your work to an interdisciplinary and international audience. Abstracts are invited for paper and poster presentations on the five broad conference themes of 1 ‘profession, identity and ideology, 2 ‘systems of care and ways of working’, 3 ‘biography and place’, 4 ‘military history, power and conflict’, and 5 ‘technology and the patient’. The five themes are suggested as a guide for authors, and a more detailed list of possible topics within each theme is available on the conference website at www.nursesvoices.org.uk/conference. The Conference Scientific Committee welcomes abstract submissions from scholars studying history within a range of disciplines, including history, nursing history, medical history, women’s studies, education, and sociology.

Guidelines for Submission: Abstracts must be submitted electronically in a single Word document and on a single page. The abstract must be submitted as two separate files. One file will contain the complete title, author’s name, credentials, institutional affiliation, telephone number, e-mail address, and mode of presentation (i.e. whether paper or poster). This first file will be printed in the conference book of abstracts. The second file will contain the full abstract, abstract title, mode of presentation, but no identifying information. This file will be used for blind peer-review by members of the Scientific Committee. If more than one author is listed, please indicate who the contact person is on the first file.

Abstract structure: The abstract must contain the following sections: Title, aim of study, rationale and significance, methodology (to include primary and secondary sources), findings and conclusions. Each section of the abstract should be clearly identified with a subheading. The abstract should not include a list of references, but may include referenced authors in the body of the text. Abstracts will be selected on the basis of merit through blind review.

Abstract preparation: Abstracts should not exceed 400 words. Margins must be one and one-half inches on left, and one inch on right, top and bottom. Center the title in upper case, and single space the body using 12 point Times (New Roman) font. The abstract should fit on one side of one page using the margins defined above. Accepted abstracts will be printed as submitted in the conference program.

Submission date: The call for abstracts opens on September 15, 2009 and closes at midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on February 15, 2010. Abstracts that do not adhere to the guidelines and/or are received after the due date and time will not be reviewed. Submit the two copies of the abstract through the online submission form at: www.nursesvoices.org.uk/conference.

All conference presenters must be AAHN members.

 

Tips on Abstract Preparation

Source: From Study to Abstract: The Art of Describing the Essence of a Study.
Panel Presentation at 13th Annual AAHN Research Conference, October 12, 1996.
Panel: Barbara Brodie, Wanda Hiestand, Judith Stanley, JoAnn Widerquist; Patricia D'Antonio, moderator.

      • Follow directions provided in the Call for Abstracts!
      • The abstract must be well written; the clarity of the writing mirrors your thinking.
      • Create an attractive, catchy title that captures the essence of the study.
      • Choose verbs carefully; aim for passionate phrases using concise language.
      • Write a good introductory paragraph which situates the study historically.
      • Provide some concrete details of the study to entice the reader to want to learn more.
      • List primary sources.
      • Historical research emphasizes conclusions.
      • Interweave research into today.
      • Have colleagues read the abstract before submission.

The Abstract Review Committee of AAHN uses a score sheet that emphasizes:

      • Clarity and focus
      • Manageable for presentation
      • Relevance for nursing history
      • Richness, complexity and depth of analysis
      • Appropriateness of sources regarding interpretations
      • Adequacy of abstract
      • Originality of idea

 

Bibliography on Abstract Writing Compiled by
JoAnn Widerquist, RN, DMin, MA

Periodicals:

Case, Donald Owen. The Collection and Use of Information by Some American Historians: a Study of Motives and Methods. Library Quarterly. January, 1991. p. 61-82.

Evans, Jane C. The Art of Writing Successful Research Abstracts. Neonatal Network: The Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 13 (5) August, 1994. p. 49-52.

Ferrell, Betty R. On Writing Abstracts. Oncology Nursing Forum. 15 (4) Jul/Aug, 1988. p. 515-516.

Fidel, Raya. Writing Abstracts for Free-text Searching. Journal of Documentation. 42 (1) March, 1986. p. 11-21.

Fuller, Ellen O. Preparing an Abstract of a Nursing Study. Nursing Research. 32 (8) Sept/Oct., 1983. p. 316-317.

Juhl, Nyla, & Norman, Virginia L. Writing an Effective Abstract. Applied Nursing Research 2 (4) November, 1989. p. 189-193.

Kaplan, Robert B.: Cantor, Selena; Hagstrom, Cynthia; Kamhi-Stein, Lia D.; Shiotani, Yumiko; and Zimmerman, Cheryl Boyd. On Abstract Writing. Text. 14 (3) 1994. p. 401-426.

Lindquist, Ruth. Strategies for Writing a Competitive Research Abstract. Dimensions Critical Care Nursing. 12 (1) Jan/Feb, 1993. p. 46-53.

Mendelson, Michael. Teaching the Abstract as an Introduction to Technical Writing. Technical Writing Teacher. 14 (1) Winter, 1987. p.1-10.

Murdaugh, Carolyn. Writing a Research Abstract. Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing. 3 (3) 1988. p. 29-31.

Oberst, Marilyn. Writing Functional Abstracts. Research in Nursing and Health. 17 (1) Feb., 1994. p.1.

Rogers, Bonnie. Writing Abstracts. AAOHN Journal. 38 (1) 1990. p. 40.

Vaughn, David K. Abstracts and Summaries: Some Clarifying Distinctions. Technical Writing Teacher. 18 (2) Spring, 1991. p. 132-141.

Waller, P.R. and Ropka, M.E. Disseminating Research: Writing Abstracts. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDs Care. 4 (1) Jan/Mar, 1993. p.58-63.

Wheeler, James O. Writing Abstracts. Urban Geography. 17 (4) June, 1996. p. 283-285.

Books:

Cremmins, Edward T. The Art of Abstracting. Philadelphia: ISI Press. 1982.

Tibbo, Helen R. Abstracting, Information Retrieval and the Humanities: Providing Access to Historical Literature. Chicago and London: American Library Association. 1993.

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