In this section you will find detailed instructions on preparing and formatting your written proposal. Please review the contents of this section carefully. Submissions that do not follow the rules for submission, including word count, will be rejected and cannot be resubmitted after the deadline. Proposal documents should be prepared according to instructions provided in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition, with the exception of the title page and abstract formatting, which should follow SIOP’s rules detailed below.
Summary of Proposal Document Elements for Each Submission Type
| Poster | Symposium | Debate | Panel | Alternative Session | Master Tutorial | IGNITE! |
| Title | 85 Characters | 85 Characters | 85 Characters | 85 Characters | 85 Characters | 85 Characters |
| Shortened Title | N/A | 50 Characters | 50 Characters | 50 Characters | 50 Characters | 50 Characters |
| Abstract | 600 Characters | 600 Characters | 600 Characters | 600 Characters | 600 Characters | 600 Characters |
| Social Media Statement (Optional) | 200 Characters | 200 Characters | 200 Characters | 200 Characters | 200 Characters | 200 Characters |
| APA Formatted Citation | Yes, formatted to these guidelines. | |||||
| Links to Social Media Accounts | Yes, requested for all contributors (both speakers and non-speaking contributors), especially for Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram | |||||
| Word Limits | 3,000* | 750 for summary; 1,000 for each component paper* | Minimum of 900; Maximum of 3,000* | Minimum of 900; Maximum of 3,000* | Minimum of 900; Maximum of 3,000* | Minimum of 900; Maximum of 3,000* |
| Time Requested | 50 Minutes | 50 or 80 Minutes | ||||
| Prepared for Blind Review | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Basic Formatting Guidelines
All submissions, regardless of type or content, should have the same formatting:
- 1-inch margins, 12-point Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Symbols are permitted for special characters.
- Submitted as a single Word document (.doc or .docx) even if multiple papers are included.
- Does not use special fonts even within tables or diagrams, which may not appear the same on peer reviewers’ computers as they do on submitter’s.
- Proposals should be formatted in APA Style, with the exception of the title page and abstract.
What to Include on the Title Page
All submission documents should begin with a title page that includes the submission type, title, shortened title, abstract, and word count. All submission documents other than posters will also include an APA-style citation. Please review the title page template for your session type (see links below) for information and recommendations for each required element. Some of the information overlaps with requirements in the online submission process; however, please also include this information on the title page of the submission document.
What to Include in the Body of the Proposal Document
The full text of proposals varies based on submission type. Please be sure that your submission follows the guidelines based on its submission type described below.
Debates are an engaging way to present opposing views about a topic. Generally, a debate includes a chair (acting as a moderator) and presenters to represent each side of a controversial topic. The debate may consist of the chair stating a proposition, one side presenting affirming arguments, and the other side presenting dissenting arguments. Alternatively, the chair may pose pointed questions whereby the debaters share their conflicting views on the topic. Time for rebuttal and audience questions can be incorporated.
In this fast-paced session type, several experts on a focal topic prepare a few slides for a 3-5-minute presentation. Typically, a maximum of seven (7) presenters is recommended, which should provide adequate time for questions at the end. Proposals may elect for fewer presenters and a facilitated audience discussion/Q&A session upon completion of all presentations. a proposition, one side presenting affirming arguments, and the other side presenting dissenting arguments. Alternatively, the chair may pose pointed questions whereby the debaters share their conflicting views on the topic. Time for rebuttal and audience questions can be incorporated.
The primary purpose of the master tutorial is to develop and educate the audience about a focal I-O topic. For example, a master tutorial might provide an update on a content area, discuss a new statistical technique, or describe how knowledge from another discipline can be applied to an I-O problem or topic. proposition, one side presenting affirming arguments, and the other side presenting dissenting arguments. Alternatively, the chair may pose pointed questions whereby the debaters share their conflicting views on the topic. Time for rebuttal and audience questions can be incorporated.
Panel discussions should generate spontaneous interaction among panelists and between panelists and the audience in response to questions posed by the session chair. In a panel discussion, the chair plays a very active role, serving as the moderator who ensures that all panelists (generally three to five people) have the opportunity to speak. The chair can both pose questions and facilitate audience questions.
Poster sessions give participants opportunities to present individual or small group papers. The SIOP Program Committee will group posters by topic area into poster sessions, where many authors simultaneously present their work, primarily in a visual medium. Copies of the poster materials will be uploaded as a PDF into the Whova app. Please note that nonempirical submissions advancing conceptual work ARE permitted.
A symposium is a multipresenter session including a well-integrated set of research, practice, theory, or teaching-oriented papers. In addition to the multiple presentations, a discussant who has expertise in the topic area often offers reflections on the presentations. Participants in a symposium include a chair, discussant, and three to five presenters (five only if no discussant is included). Please note that discussants cannot be an author on any of the papers in the symposium.
ALTERNATIVE SESSION
Please describe the focal topic or theme, the distinguishing and novel attributes of the new format and how they will benefit the audience, and provide a specific rationale for why and how the topic/theme is well aligned with this session type. Please clearly indicate in your description specifically what qualifies your submission as an alternative session.
In preparing your alternative session submission, you can either submit a session in which authors are not placed into groups (e.g., groups of authors working on separate papers) or one in which multiple papers are presented and authors are placed into groups —similar to a symposium. For the latter, you must list each paper’s title and authors (in correct order of authorship) in the submission system. The papers should be listed in the order that the papers will be presented. (Click here for more guidance regarding when this is needed and the format required for the information.)
We look forward to submitters’ ideas for memorable, unique, and compelling session types that will further SIOP’s mission.
