TL;DR for BISS extended abstracts

Summary for those already familiar with abstract submission to Biodiversity Information Science & Standards (BISS) for SPNHC-TDWG 2024.

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Last updated 29 September 2024

The complete instructions for submitting 2024 extended abstracts may be found here. This high level summary provides relevant links to that document.

Breaking news

Final deadline for the submission of extended abstracts is 15 October 2024. Abstracts in draft after 15 October and never submitted for review will not be considered for publication.

Getting started

  1. Register for SPNHC-TDWG 2024. Presentation must be made at conference to be eligible to submit an extended abstract.
  2. See “Why submit an extended abstract in BISS”
  3. Extended abstracts will appear in 2024 collection
    1. log-in or register for an account with Pensoft
    2. whitelist communications from pensoft.net
  4. Begin a new abstract using Start SPNHC-TDWG 2024 Conference Abstract button on BISS homepage
  5. Return to an existing abstract in ARPHA

Abstract required fields

  1. Collection - essential that this field be filled in once you start a new abstract
  2. Title - title case - select MLA as style guide
  3. Author(s) - distinctions between submitting and corresponding author(s)
  4. Abstract - English; expand acronyms at first use; URL use; editorial help
  5. Keywords - separate with comma and space; capitalize only proper nouns
  6. Presenting author - just the name as it appears as an author
  7. Presented at - SPNHC-TDWG 2024
  8. Conflicts of interest - mark yes, only if Gail Kampmeier or Elycia Wallis are co-authors

Abstract optional fields

  1. References, figures, tables, supplementary materials
  2. Acknowledgements
    1. Funder
    2. Funding program
    3. Grant title
    4. Hosting institution

Ready to submit for review

  1. Please proof-read carefully
  2. Verify that all authors agree with content provided
  3. Click Validate button - only number of characters should appear; fix anything that does not validate
  4. Submitting author should click the Submit for Technical Review button by the submission deadline
  5. Abstract status is “in pre-submission review” while in the hands of reviewers/editors

Feedback and revisions

  1. Reviewed abstract will be returned to submitting author (emailed from awt@pensoft.net)
  2. Abstract status is “draft”
  3. Authors have access to make changes suggested by and respond to questions from reviewers/editors using Track Changes and/or Comments
  4. Revise and repeat steps in “Ready to submit for review”
  5. May be an iterative process

Finalize and submit to journal

  1. Email announces that editors have approved your abstract for submission
  2. Verify that all information is correct, including name of presenting author
  3. Click Validate button - no lingering issues; number of characters should not exceed 6000
  4. Submit to the journal button initiates a long checklist of submission steps (only the submitting author sees this button)
  5. Should receive email confirming successful submission; if none, check dashboard to see if abstract status is “incomplete” and resolve.
  6. At publication, receive another email

Help and other FAQ

  1. Before contacting editor@tdwg.org or journals@pensoft.net with questions, be sure to read full documentation
  2. list of ARPHA-related FAQ