FAQs for Reproductive Health 2012 Abstracts

Q: Will abstracts be accepted for both oral and poster presentations at Reproductive Health 2012?
A: For Reproductive Health 2012 we will only be accepting abstracts for poster presentations.

Q: I have submitted an abstract to a different conference and it has been accepted for an oral or poster presentation. Can I still submit to Reproductive Health 2012?
A: Yes, as long as there are no previously published manuscripts in a peer-reviewed journal.

Q: Do abstracts have to be research-based? Can I submit a literature review, a program description, or a program evaluation?
A: Abstracts must be research-based. Literature reviews and program descriptions will not be accepted. Program evaluations are considered research-based and will be considered.

Q: Does data need to be complete for an abstract to be considered?
A: It is unlikely that research with incomplete data will be selected. Research with substantial data, especially randomized controlled trials, will be considered.

Q: If my abstract is accepted, where and when will it be published?
A: All accepted abstracts will be published in the print and online versions of the January 2013 edition of Contraception. Authors may publish the manuscript anywhere they wish to, as long as the publication date is after the September 2012 meeting.

Q: If my abstract is accepted, where will it be presented? What will I be expected to do?
A: Abstracts chosen for poster presentation will be featured at Reproductive Health 2012 in New Orleans on September 21st and 22nd. A representative of your study must attend the conference in order for the poster to be presented. Poster presenters will be required to be available to discuss their posters during a poster reception (at minimum) and are encouraged to put their posters up at the beginning of the conference.

Q: If my abstract is accepted will I be able to make changes to the content prior to submission for publication?
A: No. If your abstract is selected, you will receive an e-mail with your abstract’s title, author names, and institution. You will be asked to verify that the information is correct, but will not have an opportunity to change the content of the abstract. Changes that are submitted will not be incorporated.

Q: Can tables, graphs, and/or charts be included in the abstract?
A: No. Tables, graphs, and/or charts cannot be included in your abstract submission.

Q: What is the abstract word count?
A: Not including the title there is a limit of 250 words, split among 4 sections: Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusion. Authors must conduct a word count for the entire abstract before completing the online submission to be sure the entire abstract (excluding headings) is under 250 words. This is a strict cutoff and abstracts over the 250 word count will be disqualified and not eligible for committee review.

Q: What is the policy on “late breaking” abstracts?
A: Deadline for abstract submission is February 24th. Any “late breaking” research may be addressed during a “Late Breaking Reproductive Health Updates” session at the conference, but this is not guaranteed and is typically unrelated to abstracts.

Q: Is it okay to submit research-based abstracts that were funded by corporate entities?
A: Yes. Research funded with commercial grant support will be considered.

Q: Why am I asked about student status? Who is considered a student?
A: Two awards are given annually to abstract presenters: Outstanding Researcher and Researcher-In-Training. Only students are eligible for the Researcher-In Training-Award. Residents and fellows are considered students for the purposes of this award.

Q: Is there a discounted registration price for people presenting abstracts?
A: No. There is not a discount specifically provided to attendees presenting abstracts. However, discounts are available for members of ARHP. Discounts are also offered for students.