Instructions for writing a Structured Abstract

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Click here to download the ISL Abstract Template

The Abstract needs to remain anonymous and the author details will be requested separately during the submission process.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING A STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

1. CHOOSE A CATEGORY FOR THE PAPER

Pick the category which most closely describes your paper. We understand that some papers can fit into more than one category but it is necessary to assign your paper to one of the categories listed below.

Choose from:

Research paper
This category covers papers which report on any type of research undertaken by the author(s). The research may involve the construction or testing of a model or framework, action research, testing of data, or survey research.

Conceptual paper
These papers will develop theory and/or propose hypotheses. The papers are likely to be discursive and will cover philosophical discussions and comparative studies of others’ work and thinking. They may provide an overview or historical examination of some concept, technique or phenomena.

Case study
Case studies describe actual interventions or experiences within organizations. They may well be subjective and will not generally report on research. A description of a legal case or a hypothetical case study used as a teaching exercise would also fit into this category.

Literature review
It is expected that all types of paper cite any relevant literature so this category should only be used if the main purpose of the paper is to annotate and/or critique the literature in a particular subject area. It may be a selective bibliography providing advice on information sources or it may be comprehensive in that the paper’s aim is to cover the main contributors to the development of a topic and explore their different views.

2. WRITE THE ABSTRACT

All papers require an abstract, and this should be uploaded onto ConfTool. There are five headings which are obligatory
(Purpose, Design, Findings, Value and References); the other two (Research implications and Practical implications) may be
omitted if they are not applicable to your paper. Abstracts should be no more than 1,000 words including references and
reflect the research you intend to present at the conference.

Purpose of this paper (minimum 200 words): What are the reason(s) for writing the paper or the aims of the research?

Design/methodology/approach (minimum 200 words): How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the research. What is the approach to the topic and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper?

Findings (minimum 200 words): What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results.

Value (minimum 100 words): What is new/original in the paper? State the value of the paper and to whom.

Research limitations/implications (if applicable): If research is reported on in the paper this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process.

Practical implications (if applicable): What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? Not all papers will have practical implications but most will. What changes to practice should be made as a result of this research/paper?

References (minimum 3): Please provide all references cited in the abstract.

 

3. SUBMIT THE ABSTRACT

Abstracts should be submitted on-line via ConfTool. The corresponding author should be the one to upload the abstract.

Papers and abstracts will only be accepted for review on the condition that the manuscript has not been copyrighted, published, presented or accepted for presentation at a professional meeting and is not currently under review for presentation at another professional meeting.

Authors must register for, and attend, the Symposium to present the paper if it is accepted.

All accepted full papers will be published in the Symposium Proceedings, provided completed papers are received by the appropriate deadline and conform to the format, length requirements and within the layout guidelines.