TIP-TOPics
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L to R: Amy DuVernet, Reanna Poncheri, Tara Behrend, Clara Hess, Jennifer Lindberg, & Jane Vignovic
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Tara Behrend, Jane Vignovic, Amy DuVernet, Clara Hess,
Jennifer Lindberg, and Reanna Poncheri
North Carolina State University
As we say in the south, “Hey, y’all!” We’re your new columnists. We have a lot we hope to accomplish, so here’s a brief review of our plans. For each column, we’ll present information and resources related to graduate student life. We promise to give inside tips that experienced folks sometimes forget to share. In addition to our regular column, we feel it is our responsibility to keep up with the trends. So, we offer you the TIP-TOPics MySpace page. That’s right, your friendly TIP-TOPics columnists have created a virtual gathering place for graduate students to gripe, hang out, or even find a research partner. You can find us at: http://www.myspace.com/tiptopics. Look there to find information about us, including our plan for our future columns. So, let’s get right down to our first topic: Cconferences.
Imagine you have just completed one of your many class research papers. After the wave of relief washes over you, what should you do?
Your first thought might be, “Nothing! This paper has caused me nothing but grief! Aargh!” We urge you to work past those feelings. “Maybe I should present this paper at a conference.” Good thinking! Conference presentations are an excellent way to get feedback on your work. And, by sharing your work, you help others improve their research. Isn’t that preferable to letting that paper collect dust bunnies?
For some, the thought of presenting at conferences can be intimidating. We all know how beneficial conferences can be; yet, we are left feeling small and meek at the mere thought. Luckily, we are here to help. We’ve put together a terrific guide (if we do say so ourselves) that can make the whole process less intimidating and a lot more fun. So read on!
Choosing a Conference
Okay—you’re convinced that the world must hear about your paper. But, which venue is right for you? We can’t tell you which conference is the best fit, but we have some thoughts to help you choose.
- Who should know about your research? A broad conference like SIOP will get you lots of visibility, whereas a smaller, more specialized conference may give you more chances to speak to like-minded colleagues. Find out whether your local I-O group hosts a conference, too—find a list of groups at www.siop.org/IOGroups.aspx.
- What type of paper do you have? Is it theoretical or empirical? Is it a first shot? A little rough around the edges? IOOB or local I-O conferences are best bets for unfinished work or work done early in your student career. SIOP and APS are better for sharing the results of completed studies.
Heck, you can even try several kinds of conferences—if you don’t like them, we won’t make you go back!
OK, I’ve Picked a Conference—Now What?
Spend some time considering who has been instrumental in the development of your paper. Then, review your APA manual (p. 350–351) and determine who should receive authorship credit.
Next, you’ll probably have to tackle the behemoth task of cutting your paper down to size. This is always one of the most frustrating parts of conference submissions. Some tips for shortening a long paper:
1. Scale back the introduction. Unlike your thesis committee, conference reviewers don’t need (or want) to read about every development in the literature. It may be painful, but start by identifying whole sections you don’t need. Then, go through and condense your thoughts in the remaining sections—this means some rewriting.
2. Tables, figures, and charts are good ways to communicate lots of information concisely, but don’t go overboard and beware of appendices—sometimes they count towards your word limit.
Next, you have to write an abstract and, sometimes, a press paragraph. This is our least favorite conference-related task, but it’s incredibly important. It’s often the only part of your paper that people will read.
1. Focus on the big picture. If you had to tell someone only one thing about your study, what would you tell them?
2. Consult your trusty APA manual. It has some great tips on how to write a good abstract.
3. Consult past conference programs. This is especially helpful if you’ve never attended this conference before.
Next, get feedback. Faculty members or experienced peers will be your best audience. Some ideas for getting feedback and having a little fun in the process:
1. Have a rough draft party. Get together with your friends and trade papers. Sure, it’s no weekend in Vegas, but it’s a party nonetheless.
2. Ask for feedback. Positive comments are nice, but it’s better to have honest, critical feedback that you can address before submitting.
After that, you’re ready to submit. Once it’s in, sit back and wait. Within a few months, you will get some news. Two outcomes are possible:
1. Your paper was accepted! Celebrate!
2. Your paper was not accepted. Bummer! No worries…this happens to the best of us. You can make some revisions and submit it again next year, or try a different conference.
Let’s assume your paper was accepted. You need to get those presentation skills ready! You also need a few ways for people to remember you. And we don’t mean preparing your table dance.
First, you need to get ready to give your presentation. If you are giving a poster presentation, think about how best to present your ideas in the fewest words possible. Next step: Practice in front of people who are familiar with your research and people who are not. Focus on communicating in an understandable and concise way. If you have a poster, prepare a one-minute overview of your study and findings. If you are prepared, you’ll be able to discuss your research with anyone from Frank Landy to the cute bellhop.
The Conference Went Great! Now What?
If all went well, you will have a long list of people who want copies of your paper. Don’t lose that list! Make sure you make a good impression and follow up on requests. Keep a record of these e-mails, too. If your paper is accepted to a journal later, you can pass along the good news. Ah...the publication process. But that’s a TIP-TOPic for another day!
TIP-TOPics Resource Center
Conferences:
SIOP: http://www.siop.org/conferences/default.aspx
APS: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/convention/
APA: http://www.apa.org/conf.html
AoM: http://www.aomonline.org/aom.asp?ID=4
IOOB: http://psych.iupui.edu/ioob2007/
EAWOP: http://www.eawop2007.org/9/33432.asp
Other Information:
Tips on presenting: http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/publish.html
Articles on networking: http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/
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