The 22nd Annual Research Conference

Frequently Asked Questions

About the On-line Submission Process
Preparing Information for Submissions
Planning your Presentation
Logistics and Attendance
International Attendees
Proceedings

About the On-line Submission Process

Q. What is a contact person?

A. The contact person submits the application electronically. This person may or may not be a Chair or presenter. If a contact person is a Chair or presenter, his or her contact information must be entered twice: under the "contact person" field, and under the "presenter field".

Q. I started my application but need to make some changes. Can I get back into my on-line application and make these changes?

A. Yes. The contact person for an application may log in to edit the information at anytime until (1) they complete the application, or (2) until the deadline for submissions has passed.

Q. How will I know that the application is closed?

A. An application is closed once you complete the final step and upload your summary. You will receive an email acknoledging receipt of your document.

Q. How long does it take to complete the on-line application?

A. This will depend upon the number of presenters you include, and how much information you have prepared before you start.

Q. I have some of the information at home that I need for the submission. Can I use a different computer to edit the submission?

A. Our on-line submission service is web-based, so you may access your submission from any computer, anywhere. All you will need is your e-mail address and password.

Q. The last step is sending a 1000 word summary of the presentation. I have figures from another presentation I’d like to include. Can I send multiple files?

A. We’d prefer not. Each presentation should be contained in a single file—including tables and figures. Please do not submit PowerPoint files separately, rather embed the relevant figures in the word processing document.

Q. I prepared a submission on-line, but now we have decided not to do it. What do I do?

A. If you wish to completely eliminate a submission, please e-mail the Center at rtckids@fmhi.usf.edu, including the title of the submission you’d like to delete, and your name and phone number for confirmation.

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Preparing Information for Submissions

Q. What is the difference between a presenter and an additional author?

A. Presenters are those who talk about their work during a conference session. Additional authors are individuals who do not present, but are recognized for their contribution to the work.

Q. We’d like to prepare a submission for a symposium. What will I need to compile for the submission?

A. The process is generally the same as submitting for a paper. However, you first provide an Introduction of up to 250 words for the symposium overall, with contact information for the chair and discussant, if applicable. You must also provide a separate submission for each “part” or paper within the symposium (i.e., title, abstract, presenters, authors and a summary of up to 1000 words). the proposed content See our Application Instructions and Summary Outline).

Q. How many submissions can I send?

A. Due to the volume of submissions, the Center asks that each individual participate in no more than three presentations over the course of the conference, regardless of format.

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Planning your Presentation

Q. How much time do I have for a paper presentation?

A. Paper presentations are scheduled for 30 minutes. We suggest you reserve up to 10 minutes at the end of your presentation for discussion. Paper sessions are typically 60 minutes long, and we schedule two presentations per session.

Q. How many people may speak during a single presentation?

A. When planning your presentation, consider transition time and logistics. For paper presentations, we find that multiple speakers can dilute the quality of the presentation and cause timing problems for the next speaker, especially when there are questions from the audience. The same applies for symposia: in a 60-minute symposium, please plan time for the introduction, typically three topics or papers, and a discussion.

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Logistics and Attendance

Q. When will I hear if my submission has been accepted?

A. In the middle of December. At that time you will be notified about the status of your submission. Due to the limited number of sessions available, the Center may recommend that your work be presented in a different format than requested; this might require some restructuring on your part.

Q. Does the Center cover travel for presenters?

A. Although the Center is unable to provide travel expenses, we do offer a reduced conference rate for presenters (see above note) in appreciation of your work in preparing presentations. Presenters and authors are expected make their own travel plans, and pay their own expenses.

Q. If accepted do I need to register for the conference?

A. Yes. Upon acceptance, we will send you conference registration information, which also will be available at the conference web site.

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International Attendees

Q. My application to present at the conference has been accepted. However, I am not a citizen of the United States. Will the Center write a letter of invitation on my behalf so I can attain a visa to attend the conference?

A. We encourage international attendance at the conference. In our experience, international presenters have been able to obtain a visa with our letter of acceptance and proof of payment for conference registration. If additional correspondence or documentation from the Center is necessary, please contact us at rtckids@fmhi.usf.edu. International presenters will receive our letter of acceptance and proof of payment for conference registration in order to apply for a visa. International participants will be provided a letter of invitation upon request of a sponsoring faculty member from the Center.

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What about the Proceedings

Q. When I apply to present, do my abstract and summary automatically appear in the Proceedings?

A. We publish the summaries submitted for applications in the agenda book for the conference. It is therefore important that your summary is reflective of the quality of your work. If your presentation is accepted, but as a different format than your proposal, revisions will be requested.

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Contact Information

About your Presentation or the Conference
Catherine Newman
cnewman@fmhi.usf.edu
813-974-8429

About Your On-line Application
Jonathan Wilson
jwilson@fmhi.usf.edu
813-974-6139

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