Chapter 5: Writing an abstract for

conference and presentation

Taught by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serey Mardy

(PhD in Agricultural Economics)
5.1 Definition
• What is an abstract?
• The abstract is a brief summary of your
research that is submitted to the
conference organizers for review. It is
usually 250-500 words long, and it
should clearly state the purpose of your
research, the methodology you used, the
main findings, and the conclusions. The
abstract is a very important part of your
conference submission, as it is the first
thing that the reviewers will see.
• Four C’s of abstract writing
• Complete — it covers the major parts of
the project/case
• Concise — it contains no excess
wordiness or unnecessary information.
• Clear — it is readable, well organized,
and not too jargon-laden.
• Cohesive — it flows smoothly between
the parts.
5.2 Abstract format
• Title and Author
Information
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusions
5.2.1 Title and author information
5.2.2 Introduction
• The introduction should
provide the background
information, problem
statement, and the aim
of the study.
• The introduction of the
abstract is approximately
from 40 to 70 words.
5.2.3 Methods
• The data, research and
analytical methods used
in this study.
• The method is
approximately from 30 to
50 words.
5.2.4 Results
• The major findings from
and implications and
significance of the study.
• The method is
approximately from 60 to
80 words.
5.2.5 Conclusion
• The further solutions to
problems and other
information needed to
expand knowledge of the
study.
• The method is
approximately from 20 to
40 words.
5.2.6 Keywords
• The keywords may have at least
from 3 to 7 words.
• What are the keywords for? They
are used for indexing and
abstracting of your articles, i.e.,
they help people searching in
databases to be able to find your
article. What should I use for
keywords? Basically you want to
use words that collectively
describe your research.
5.3 Tips for writing a good conference abstract
• Start by identifying the key points of your research. What is the most
important thing that you want the reviewers to know about your
work? What are your main findings and conclusions?
• Write a clear and concise summary of your research. Avoid using jargon
and technical language.
• Be specific and provide evidence to support your claims.
• Highlight the significance of your research. What are the implications of
your findings for the field?
• Proofread your abstract carefully before submitting it. Make sure that
there are no errors in grammar or spelling.
A true story of author
in submitting an abstract
A little bit of emotional
upheaval is to be expected.
In my experience, it goes
something like this:
5.3.1 Before finalizing
• Get help from a mentor
• Make revisions based upon the feedback
• Have others read your draft in order to
check for technical errors, such as spelling
and grammar mistakes
5.3.2 Prior to submission
• Follow the instructions!!!!
• Include headings exactly as stated in
the instructions/template?
• Use short, clear sentences; one idea
per sentence?
• Limit your abstract to the word
count/character count requirement?
• Edit, edit, edit
• Check grammar, syntax and
punctuation
5.3.3 Why abstracts not accepted
Most common deficiencies
encountered (in order of frequency):
• Poor presentation
• Weak discussion
• Lack of originality
• Poor methods
• Inappropriate statistical analysis
• Inadequate results
5.3.4 How to improve
• Writing is an art, you can learn
• Read published manuscript and
abstract carefully in major journals and
focus on detail
• Practice; practice; practice
• Get help from your mentors and
colleagues
• Attend classes in writing skills/read
books
5.3.5 Closing thoughts
• Scholarly activities and publications
are a required part of residency
training
• Very important for residents pursuing
academic career
• Important for academic advancement
• Michael Faraday once said, “Work;
finish; publish”
5.4 Attending the scientific conference
• What is a scientific conference?
A scientific conference is a gathering of researchers to present and
discuss their scholarly work. It is a forum for scientists to share their latest
findings, get feedback from their peers, and learn about the latest advances
in their field. Conferences can be general or specialized, and they can be
held at the local, national, or international level.
 5.4.1 Role of attending the scientific conference
Scientific conferences play an important role in the scientific community.
They provide a platform for researchers to share their work, get feedback from
their peers, and learn about the latest advances in their field. Conferences also
help to build relationships between researchers and foster collaboration.
5.4.2 Activities in the scientific conference
Scientific conferences typically feature a variety of activities, including:
• Invited talks: These are given by leading experts in the field and cover a wide
range of topics.
• Contributed talks: These are given by researchers to present their own original
work.
• Poster sessions: These are informal gatherings where researchers can present
their work in a poster format and answer questions from other attendees.
• Workshops: These are smaller, more focused sessions on specific topics.
• Networking events: These are opportunities for researchers to meet and
interact with each other.
5.4.3 Benefits of attending the scientific conference
• Learn about the latest advances in your field: Conferences are a great way to
learn about the latest research in your field and to meet the people who are
doing it.
• Get feedback on your work: Conferences are a great opportunity to get
feedback on your research from your peers and from experts in your field.
• Network with other researchers: Conferences are a great way to meet other
researchers in your field and to build relationships with them. This can lead to
collaborations and other opportunities.
• Enhance your career: Attending conferences can help you to enhance your
career by giving you the opportunity to present your work, publish your
research in conference proceedings, and build your reputation in the field.
5.4.4 The audience of the scientific conference
The audience of a conference is the group of people who are invited to attend and
participate in the event. The specific audience for a conference will vary depending on the topic
and purpose of the event. However, some common types of conference audiences include:
• Professionals in a particular field: Conferences are often held to allow professionals in a
particular field to network, learn about new developments, and share their own knowledge
and expertise. For example, a medical conference might attract doctors, nurses, and other
healthcare professionals, while a technology conference might attract software engineers,
product managers, and other tech workers.
• Students and researchers: Conferences are also often held for students and researchers to
present their work, learn from other experts in their field, and network with potential
employers and collaborators. For example, a graduate student might attend a conference to
present their research on a new drug discovery method, while a postdoc might attend a
conference to learn about the latest advances in machine learning.
• The general public: Some conferences are open to the general public and are designed to
educate and inform people about a particular topic. For example, a science conference might
feature talks on the latest discoveries in astronomy, biology, and other scientific fields.
5.4.5 Reasons of paying registration fee for attending the
conference
There are a number of reasons why people need to pay a registration fee to attend a
conference. These reasons include:
• To cover the costs of organizing and running the event. This includes the cost of renting a
venue, providing food and drinks for attendees, and hiring staff to help with registration,
logistics, and other tasks.
• To support the speakers and other presenters. Speakers are often paid to give talks at
conferences, and their registration fees help to cover these costs. Additionally, some
conferences offer travel grants and other financial assistance to speakers and presenters.
• To subsidize the cost of attendance for students and other underrepresented groups. Many
conferences offer discounted registration fees to students and other groups who may not be
able to afford to attend at full price. This helps to ensure that a diverse range of people have
the opportunity to participate in conferences and learn from the experts.
• To generate revenue for the conference organizers. Most conferences are organized by non-
profit organizations, but they still need to generate revenue to cover their costs. Registration
fees help to ensure that these organizations can continue to organize and host conferences in
the future.
5.5 Presentation skills at the scientific conference
• What are the presentation skills?
Presentation skills are essential for anyone who wants to be successful
at conferences. By delivering a well-prepared and engaging presentation,
you can share your knowledge and expertise with your audience, make a
positive impression, and advance your career.
5.5.1 Oral presentation
Oral presentation is a form of communication
in which a speaker delivers information to an
audience using spoken words. Oral presentations
can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
• To inform or educate an audience about a
particular topic
• To persuade an audience to take a certain
action
• To entertain an audience
• To build relationships and rapport with an
audience
5.5.2 Poster presentation
A poster presentation is a visual presentation of
research or other information that is displayed
on a large poster. Poster presentations are often
used at conferences and other events to allow
researchers to share their work with a wider
audience and to network with other
professionals in their field.
Poster presentations should be visually appealing
and easy to read from a distance. Use clear and
concise text, large fonts, and bright colors. Use
images, graphs, and other visuals to support your
text and to make your poster more engaging.
5.5.3 Awards from the conference
Awards from conferences are given to recognize outstanding contributions
to the field, such as excellent research, innovative ideas, or exceptional
leadership. They can also be given to reward outstanding presentations or
posters. Conference awards are often highly competitive, and winning one
can be a significant career boost.
5.5.4 Types of conference awards
• Best Paper Award: This award is given to the paper that is judged to be the best
overall at the conference. It is typically based on criteria such as the originality and
significance of the work, the quality of the writing, and the clarity and impact of the
presentation.
• Best Student Paper Award: This award is given to the best paper presented by a
student at the conference. It is typically based on the same criteria as the Best Paper
Award, but it may also give extra weight to the student's originality and creativity.
• Best Poster Award: This award is given to the best poster presented at the
conference. Posters are typically used to present early-stage research or to highlight
a specific aspect of a larger research project.
• Travel Award: This award is given to help cover the travel costs of students and other
early-career researchers who are presenting at the conference.
• Leadership Award: This award is given to individuals who have made significant
contributions to the field through their leadership and mentorship.
5.5.5 Tips for winning a conference award
• Submit your best work. This may seem obvious, but it is important to submit
your best research or presentation to the conference. Conference awards are
highly competitive, so you need to make sure that your work is of the highest
quality.
• Follow the conference's guidelines carefully. Make sure that your submission
meets all of the conference's requirements, such as format, length, and
deadline.
• Write a clear and concise abstract. The abstract is the first thing that the
reviewers will see, so make sure that it is well-written and informative. It
should clearly summarize the main points of your work and why it is
significant.
• Practice your presentation. If you are selected to give a presentation at the
conference, make sure to practice it ahead of time. This will help you to
deliver your presentation confidently and effectively.
Exercise 1 (15 mins)
• Please go through the website below, then explore about
the conference, abstract submission and presentation
guidelines.
• Group 1: https://www.iserd.net/?page_id=766
• Group 2: https://www.icaset.in/about-icaset.php
• Group 3: https://globalresearchconference.com/bangkok-conference-27-
28-jan-2024/
Exercise 2 (25-30 mins)
• Please write an abstract for submitting to attend the conference.
The abstract can be made from the thesis linked below:
• Group 1:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fveterinarymedicinerua.wee
bly.com%2Fuploads%2F3%2F1%2F7%2F6%2F31760487%2Fsoun_bora.pdf&psig=AOv
Vaw1qF7SeM6KHGfvx2VhUYd2z&ust=1696746825494000&source=images&cd=vfe&
ved=0CBMQ3YkBahcKEwig0aGIqOOBAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA
• Group 2: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbtic-
rua.org%2Fimages%2Fpdf_file_item%2F6bb40181ceaa02bc2adeffb96f63cea6.pdf&p
sig=AOvVaw1qF7SeM6KHGfvx2VhUYd2z&ust=1696746825494000&source=images&
cd=vfe&ved=0CBMQ3YkBahcKEwig0aGIqOOBAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQCA
• Group 3:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/fjbfib77rbretbk/Panhavatey%20Thesis_Repair_2015
1001.pdf
Thank You For Your Attention!