The Call for Abstracts for ICUR 2022 is finally open, and you have until June 5th 2022 to get your submission in! But, there’s no need to rush – you have plenty of time to think through your research project and put together the best abstract you can. There have also been a few changes to the application process, so let’s break those down!
You might be thinking, what exactly is an ‘Abstract’? Well, an abstract is a short and accessible summary of your research project. For ICUR, your abstract should be no longer than 250 words. Overall, it should explain your reasons for undertaking this research, the research methods you’ve employed, the data you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve come to.
What’s different about the submissions process this year? In order to help you think through your project in the most detailed and structured way, we’ve formulated four short questions for you to answer in your application – which should be no more than just 75 words each. By compiling your responses to these questions, your abstract should be built on a strong foundation!
- Why are you researching this topic?
- This section can be used to cover the context of your research and its place amongst existing academic debates. What is the core research question at the heart of your project?
- How did you research this topic, and what did you discover?
- Here it would be essential to include any specific methodologies or theoretical frameworks you have employed, as well as any specific material you will be analysing. What do you expect to find, and is this typical?
- What do your findings mean, and why do they matter?
- You can go on to explain your findings, what they add to or challenge in your chosen field of study or even their implications in the wider world. How do your findings answer your research question?
- What comes next?
- Following from your own line of enquiry, could this have opened up any new research opportunities? Where do you see the field heading now, and does it align with your own findings? Are there any practical applications or implications of your research?
It may seem like a difficult task to fit all of this information in an abstract, but no need to worry because we’ve got you covered! ICUR not only provides training in abstract writing, which you can sign up to here, but we also have a detailed guide which will walk you through how to approach writing an abstract as well as a video guide which you can follow.
When you’re ready to submit, follow the link to this page! As always, keep an eye on our social media pages, @icurstudents, for further updates!