Rules for Manuscripts and Posters

The Manuscript
 

Everyone who wishes to participate in the Forum must submit an abstract and will be chosen for participation on the basis of that alone.  Participants whose abstracts are chosen for oral presentation, and who wish to compete for awards, must submit a manuscript on a computer disk or CD in Microsoft Word, along with an original and three (3) hard copies of the complete manuscript in double-spaced typewritten format.  We ask that you Do Not submit a manuscript unless you have received an acceptance letter from the Co-Directors.  The deadline will be announced in your acceptance letter. Research presented may not have been published prior to the Forum.  Each manuscript submitted by a participant must bear a Cover Sheet Endorsement.  This form must be signed by the head of the department and the faculty sponsor.  It states that the project will appear under the student's name as first author at the National Student Research Forum, and will bear the student's name on any future publication, along with faculty members who advised and guided the project.  (A form will be provided to you in your acceptance letter.) The manuscript is limited to 15 pages of text double-spaced (type no smaller than 10 point Times Roman Font) and must be written in English.  It should indicate the problem under consideration and its significance.  In addition, it should describe the means and materials used in the solution of the problem.  Finally, it should state the results, their significance, and their applicability to broader fields of knowledge.  Papers will be judged on knowledge ability, originality of technique and methods, and relevance.

Format of Manuscripts
1.	Participant's name is to appear on the title sheet ONLY of the original copy of the manuscript, and the disk copy.
2.	A total of 4 hard copies need to be submitted.  The original needs the title sheet including the author's name, abstract title and ID#.  The other three copies of the paper need  to have the abstract title and ID# only. The other 3 copies are designated blind copies.
3.	Acknowledgments should be omitted from all copies of the manuscript.
4.	All references to location or university at which the research was done are to be omitted.
5.	Photos, figures, legends, and references should appear at the end of the manuscript.  (These are not counted as text, and therefore are not included in the fifteen-page limit).

Oral Presentation

Fifteen minutes will be allotted for each paper.  Participants MUST limit their presentation to 10-12 minutes; the remaining time is for discussion.  Oral presentation will be judged on content, audiovisual aids, and the participant's ability to handle questions.  In competition for awards for oral presentations, the manuscript and oral presentation of the topic at the Forum will be considered for judging.  Research presented may not have been published prior to the Forum.

Poster Presentation

Participants presenting in poster sessions are not required to submit a manuscript.  All poster presentations will be considered for Poster Presentation Awards, providing the first author on the abstract is the presenter.  Research presented may not have been published prior to the Forum.

Poster Production
1.	Your poster cannot exceed 72 inches (w) by 44 inches (h) and include the sections as follows: the subject under consideration and its significance the means and materials used a summary of the results presented in sufficient detail to support the conclusions the significance of the results and their applicability to broader fields of knowledge references
2.	The title of the poster, the name of the participant and the location at which the research was performed should appear at the top of the display in a space at least 20 cm high.  CAPITALIZE THE ENTIRE TITLE.
3.	All illustrations should be professionally finished.  Hand drawn figures are strongly discouraged.
4.	Posters are to be attached to the boards with thumbtacks. NO paste, glue, staples, or nails are permitted.
5.	Judges will circulate through the poster session during a specified period of time during the Forum.  Posters will be judged on their adherence to the stated guidelines, content clarity, and the ability of the researcher to handle questions.