Abstract Submission Guideline

Read all of the following guidelines before abstract submission.
The pre-submission agreement is required before abstract submission.

Important Dates:

• Oct 15, 2007 - Deadline for Submitting Abstracts. No late submissions will be accepted.
• September 22, 2007 - Poster Presenters will be notified.
• October 15, 2007- All USUHS CME Paperwork must be received from Poster Presenters.
• October 15, 2007- Updated/Revised Abstracts must be received.
• Poster Presenters: Make Posters 4'X6' and have 8.5"X11" (letter) sized copies of your posters available to hand out. The presenters are requested to be at their Posters during the Poster Sessions to discuss their findings.

INTRODUCTION

This is the first year that SOMA is providing attendees the opportunity to present abstracts, posters at SOMA. There will be approximately 15 spaces available for abstracts/ posters presentation. The Board will select a committee to review the abstracts.  The abstracts will be blinded to the review committee. The committee exercises some discretion in final paper selection. SOMA Reserves the right to withdraw an Abstract at any time.

ABSTRACT CONTENT

Abstracts must adequately describe the objectives and results of the work so that the quality, originality, and thoroughness can be evaluated by the Board.

Each abstract MUST be less than 650 words and include the following components:

• Title of Abstract
• Author's Name- Include rank and/or credentials
• Institution (Ex: University or Duty Base with City and State)
• Co-Author's Name- Include rank and/or credentials
• Objectives - An introductory sentence indicating the purpose of the study
• Methods - A brief description of pertinent experimental procedures
• Results - A summary of the NEW, UNPUBLISHED DATA
• Conclusion - A statement of the conclusions

Abstracts missing any of the above items (with the exception of Co-Authors) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
Graphs Pictures, etc. are not permitted. Abstracts must be copied and pasted into the web form. 

CRITERIA TO CONSIDER WHEN SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT

Within the character count abstracts should:

• Use title and key words appropriately
• Indicate any potential conflict(s) of interest
• Represent original research
• Represent a significant issue
• Be well organized and include Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions
• Include an Objective that:
• Is simple and clear
• Clarifies the importance of the study
• Include a Method that:
• Is reproducible
• Avoids irrelevant data
• Describes sample with sufficient detail so that it is clear what population(s) the sample represents
• Describes how the sample is of adequate size
• Describes how sample was formed to avoid biases
• Describes pre-tested unambiguous instruments and materials, including all surveys, tests, questionnaires, interview forms, and other tools used to provide data
• Includes controls and clarifies them, with evidence of reliability and validity
• Includes well-defined criteria for evaluation of variables.
• Describes procedures, whether or not the study is prospective randomized, and researcher activities
• Include Results that:
• Summarize, including techniques and analysis used, including appropriate power analysis
• Include complications or missing data, if applicable
• Include validated outcomes
• Include a Conclusion that:
• Follows from methods
• Includes discussion of limitations, if applicable
• Recognizes limitations of study and suggests new research needed to extend current findings

ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS

Abstracts previously published as papers are NOT ELIGIBLE for presentation. Preference will be given to those abstracts that have not been accepted or presented at other meetings.

Each abstract may only be submitted once. Duplicate abstracts will not be considered. All abstracts accepted for Poster Presentations can send an updated/revised Abstract, for the Program Book, by November 30, 2007. If an updated/revised Abstract is not submitted, the original Abstracts (received before August 15, 2007) will be printed in the Program Book.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

By Oct. 15, 2007: SOMA and USUHS-Continuing Education for Health Professionals (CHE) require that Poster Presenters provide a DISCLOSURE FORM, BIOGRAPHIC DATE FORM and a PRESENTATION WORKSHEET. Forms can be obtained from j.bordas@trueresearch.org   All forms should be e-mailed to j.bordas@trueresearch.org if you are unable to provide an electronic copy of the Disclosure Form with original signature, you may fax it to 210-829-5513 Attn: SOMA.

PRE-SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

All authors must agree to the following statements before this abstract can be submitted. You must read through and click the "ACCEPT" button in order to submit an abstract.

We, the listed authors on this abstract, submit this abstract for presentation consideration to SOMA. We affirm that the information contained in this abstract fairly and accurately represents original work.

We assume full responsibility for securing the necessary clearance and permission for publication and presentation from any contracting supervisory research agency holding presentation material copyrights.

SOMA and USUHS-Continuing Education for Health Professionals (CHE) require that all Poster Presenters provide a DISCLOSURE FORM, BIOGRAPHIC DATA FORM and a PRESENTATION WORKSHEET.

We agree that any and all financial interests in the product or process involved with our research will be properly identified. This includes stock ownership, membership on an advisory board or board of directors, corporate sponsored research, or any other substantive relationship. Please note that financial disclosure does not disqualify an abstract from consideration or presentation.

We agree that disclosure will be made if a presentation includes substances or products not approved in the U.S. for the use under discussion.