The American Association for the History of Nursing (AAHN) and the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, are co-sponsoring the Association's twenty-sixth annual conference to be held September 24-27, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conference provides a forum for researchers interested in sharing new research that addresses events, issues, and topics pertinent to the history of the nursing profession, its clinical practice, and the field of nursing history. Individual papers, posters, and panel presentations of interest to an international audience are featured at the conference. Additional information about AAHN and the conference can be obtained at www.aahn.org

Guidelines for Submission: A one page abstract of a completed study will be accepted by e-mail only. Submit your abstract in two forms: one must state the complete title, author(s)'name, credentials, institutional affiliation, phone/fax and e-mail. Indicate whether a paper, poster of panel presentation is sought. The second abstract must include the title and mode of presentation and no other identifying information. If more than one author is listed, indicate who is serving as the contact person.

Abstracts must include: Purpose of study, rationale and significance, description of methodology, identification of major primary and secondary sources, findings and conclusions. Each section of the abstract should be clearly identified. Abstracts will be selected on the basis of merit through blind review.

Abstract preparation: 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 8.5" x 11" paper 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, 2008 and closes at midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on January 15, 2009. Abstracts received after the due date and time will not be reviewed.

Submit to:

Barbara Brodie, PhD, RN, FAAN, Abstract Review Chair: abstracts@aahn.org

All conference presenters must be AAHN members.

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.