MLA '06: Contributed Papers FAQ

[an error occurred while processing this directive] What are the steps for submitting an abstract using online abstract processing?

• Link to the online abstract submission system [link removed after deadline].
• Create a new account or login using your self-assigned login name and password. Note: If you have not previously created a user account in the abstract system, you will need to do so. The MLANET members-only username and password will NOT grant access.
• After logging in, complete the steps in the process. Be sure to print out a summary confirmation of your submission that includes the abstract control number.
• You may change an abstract until the deadline. All abstract submissions and changes must have been completed by Monday, November 7, 2005, at MIDNIGHT central standard time (CST). There were no extensions of this deadline.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] What format should I use for my abstract?

• Papers submitted MUST use a structured format for either a research abstract or a project abstract. For more information on how to write a structured abstract and to consult various samples, please visit the MLA Research Section's home page.
  
• Your submission must include the "objective" and "methods" sections of the structured abstract. The objective (for which you can substitute the research question) should not exceed 60 words and the methods (which can include brief descriptions of the population and expected results) cannot exceed 140 words.
• Authors must postpone entering results and conclusions until after the peer-review process is completed. Authors selected for inclusion in the program will need to add the "results" and "conclusions" sections in February 2006. Results and conclusions inadvertently entered for review will be deleted prior to review.
• To allow for blind review, author names, institutional affiliations, and address information should be listed in the author section of the electronic submission system only, NOT in the body of the abstract. MLA reserves the right to edit abstracts containing any author, institutional, or company names for the purpose of eliminating this identifying information before sending the abstract to reviewers. Authors are urged to blind their abstracts themselves, because MLA cannot guarantee the resulting quality if changes must be made after submission.
• Structured abstracts should NOT contain tables, figures, or bibliographic references.
• Abstracts should be prepared and uploaded using Microsoft Word.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] How will I order audiovisual (AV) equipment?
The abstract submission site will ask the submitting author's preferences for the following complimentary equipment:

• LCD projector
• overhead projector
• slide projector

Screens and microphones will be provided. You may order Internet access and other equipment at your own expense. Ordering information for additional equipment will be provided upon acceptance of your abstract.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] How will my abstract be evaluated?
The author block will be removed from your abstract to create a blinded abstract. The blinded abstract will be grouped with others within selected themes and sent to the appropriate program planners or their designees for review. The reviewers will evaluate the blinded abstracts based on the criteria listed below:

• originality and innovation
• organization and clarity of presentation
• relevance to the field and annual meeting theme
• relevance to the section program theme (for contributed papers)
• potential for improving service or practice (for posters)

[an error occurred while processing this directive] How will I know if my abstract is accepted?
The primary author will be notified of acceptance by US mail sent the week of January 16, 2006. All authors will be notified by email that the primary author has been sent the notification letter.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] What do I do if my abstract is accepted?
In January or February, you will need to register for the annual meeting and make air and hotel reservations. At least one author must be available to present the paper at the annual meeting on the date and time assigned. Session moderators will contact presenters to discuss your speaking order and length of presentation; presentations will be limited to 15 minutes, depending on the number of presenters. You also will be asked to reconfirm your AV needs.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] How do I withdraw or cancel an abstract or presentation?
All withdrawals or cancellations must be in writing and sent to Brenda Dreier, MLA meeting director, at bdreier@heiexpo.com. Be sure to include the full title of your abstract, abstract control number, and author name.

Withdrawn abstracts will be removed from the process as quickly as possible. Accepted abstracts canceled close to the publication date may still be printed in the abstract supplement.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] What are the chances my paper will be accepted?
Acceptance rates vary widely and are influenced by the number submissions for a given section topic. Historically, overall about 65% of the contributed paper abstracts are accepted.

Contributed papers are evaluated on quality and relevance to section topic. This means that good papers may not be accepted because others are more relevant to the given topic. By contrast, posters are evaluated solely on quality. Historically, posters have an acceptance rate of about 95%.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] I have an idea I want to share with colleagues, but it does not fit with any of the section program topics. What can I do?
Submit it as a poster, which are evaluated on quality and not on relevance to a given topic.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] After the annual meeting, I want to publish my paper. Can I publish it in the Journal of the Medical Library Association?
Contributed paper authors are asked to give first option to publish their presentation to the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA). Consult our guidelines for converting an oral presentation to a manuscript for publication. You might also consider turning your presentation into an outline for a book proposal. MLA Publishing is seeking projects in print or digital formats that have an impact on a significant segment of the medical librarianship community. Go to MLA Publishing for proposal guidelines and to learn more about the kinds of topics we are seeking.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Who should I contact for assistance with contributed papers?
Inquiries about section programs, abstracts, or contributed paper topics should be sent to Charles Greenberg, 2006 NPC Section Council liaison.