Guidelines and forms for submitting an abstract for the
15th Annual BACP Research Conference

"Research Relationships"
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel (tbc) - 15 & 16 May 2009 (tbc)
in association with The University of Portsmouth

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS - 14 NOVEMBER 2008

Thank you for your interest in the 15th Annual BACP Research Conference, and for submitting your abstract for consideration.

Abstract submissions from all methodological perspectives are welcomed and we encourage students and practitioners to submit, as well as experienced researchers. An abstract is required for all presentations, including posters. Tips on presenting (particularly useful for first time presenters) and information about presenting a poster are available on the research pages of the BACP website.

You may find it useful to go to this page to see how abstracts should be laid out (you should use the specific headings given in each submission form): http://www.bacp.co.uk/research/conf_archive/2008.php#q20

Please read these guidelines carefully - abstracts that do not comply with the guidelines will be returned. Once you have emailed your abstract to research@bacp.co.uk please wait for an email acknowledgement; if you do not receive an acknowledgement within 7 days, please telephone the research office on 01455 883318 - each year abstracts go missing and we have no way of knowing they are lost until would-be presenters contact us (but please don't leave it until two weeks before the conference!).

Conference Structure
It is anticipated that four strands will run simultaneously on each day with papers and workshops running throughout the day. Posters and brief communication presentations will be presented separately. The final programme for the event is compiled when all submissions are received and selection has taken place. As each strand is grouped to form coherent themes, it will not be possible for presenters to choose the time or day of their presentation.

It is usual for presenters to have a handout in addition to the abstract. It is impossible to say exactly how many you will need but if you bring 30/40 copies it should be enough; your contact details will be on the abstract should people wish to follow up your research at a later date.

Following the peer review process, you may be asked to amend your abstract to address reviewers' suggestions, or you may be asked for additional information prior to a formal invitation to present.

Conference Fees
All presenters are entitled to pay the special discounted conference fee (maximum of two discounted fees per presentation, additional presenters will have to pay normal price). This must be paid as soon as you have been invited to present (or before), in order to be part of the programme. Presenters who have not paid their fee prior to the programme going to print will not be included in the programme.

Paper Presentations
Presenters will be given a 30 minute slot in which to present their research and this should include 10/15 minutes for feedback/discussion within this time. It is usual for presenters to have handouts available (in addition to the abstract). A common thread emerging from evaluation feedback is that the methodology section for paper presentations should take no more than five minutes in total. Further references, literature reviewing and detail about your methodology should be put in your handout.

Paper submission form Paper submission form.pdf Size: 0.17Mb Click the link above to begin downloading

Theoretical and Methodological Innovation Paper Presentations
Presentations on theoretical and methodological innovation are welcomed (although opinion pieces will not be accepted). Each theoretical paper will take a different emphasis, and your abstract should contain three sub headings (which can be found in the submission form). Presenters will be given a 30 minute slot in which to present their paper and this should include 10/15 minutes for feedback/discussion within this time slot. Again, it is usual for presenters to have handouts available (in addition to the abstract). Further references, literature reviewing and detail about your methodology should be put in your handout.

Theoretical and methodological innovation paper submission form Theoretical and methodological innovation paper submission form .pdf Size: 0.18Mb Click the link above to begin downloading

Brief Communication Presentations
Presenters will be given a 15 minute (timed) slot in which to present their research and this includes 10 minutes presentation and 5 minutes for questions/feedback. It is usual for presenters to have handouts available (in addition to the abstract). Further references, literature reviewing and detail about your methodology should be put in your handout. There will be four brief communication presentations running consecutively in a 60 minute period.

Brief communications submission form Brief communications submission form.pdf Size: 0.17Mb Click the link above to begin downloading

Workshops
The length of each workshop is 60 minutes. Workshops are designed to enable extended participation in and discussion of the research theme(s) to be presented and discussed. Workshops need to be research based and need to engage the audience using appropriate educational methods (eg, reflective activities, discussion groups, demonstrations etc). Workshop presenters should also have handouts available (in addition to the abstract). Further references, literature reviewing and detail about your methodology should be put in your handout. Please note: workshops may not to be used for a long paper presentation.

Workshop submission form Workshop submission form.pdf Size: 0.18Mb Click the link above to begin downloading

Poster Presentations
The poster format presents a piece of research in a pictorial and eye-catching way and these will be displayed on poster stands in the exhibition area where the delegates assemble for refreshments. Each poster presenter will be given a one-minute slot within a special section of the conference to introduce their poster in order to attract interest for their research. Poster presenters are also encouraged to have an additional handout available (in addition to the abstract). Further references, literature reviewing and detail about your methodology should be put in your handout.

Poster submission form Poster submission form.pdf Size: 0.13Mb Click the link above to begin downloading

Audio Visual equipment:
All presentations (except posters) will have a Data Projector and laptop available in the room. If you require alternative equipment, please let us know in advance and we will endeavour to accommodate your request. Please tell us if your presentation includes video, photographs or sound files and on which slides these are. Late requests for specialist equipment may not be accommodated (video, DVD, cassette player, TV etc). If using PowerPoint during your presentation, please forward the full and complete presentation to us no later than Friday 17 April 2009 - please email it to research@bacp.co.uk. We may post PowerPoint presentations on the BACP website following the conference; you should bear this in mind when preparing your PowerPoint presentation.

General Information
Important: If you are invited to present your work at the BACP Research Conference, your abstract will appear in the conference abstract booklet and it will also go on to the BACP website, post conference.

Presenters are encouraged to submit their full papers to CPR (Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal) for consideration for publication (guidelines to submit to CPR can be found at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713734893). Please be aware that apart from your telephone number and student status (if applicable), all contact details you submit will be included on your abstract and will therefore be published in the conference booklet and on the BACP website. If you would like us to use a different contact address (postal or email) than the one you supply for the abstract, please state this explicitly in your email when submitting your abstract. Finally, please get in touch if you have any questions at all, either email angela.couchman@bacp.co.uk or telephone 01455 883318.