Call for Research Methods Abstracts
This call is now open through August 27
You are invited to submit an abstract proposal for the State of the Science Symposium, a full-day pre-conference taking place on March 4, 2026, prior the 2026 Annual Assembly at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
About the Call
Abstracts must focus on innovative research design, methods, instruments, and theory relevant to hospice and palliative care research. Each session is 75 minutes in length. Time should be structured to include both content delivery and participant interaction.
Open to all researchers, including methodologists, clinician scientists, social scientists, and interdisciplinary research teams. The focus of this call is to present work that furthers methods and/or theory in our field. Original research may be included in the presentation, but only so far as it is demonstrative of the method/theory that the workshop focuses on. There is a separate call for original research that will be presented at the 2026 Annual Assembly, not the State of the Science Symposium.
All submissions should be finalized by Wednesday, August 27 at noon PT.
Submission Guidelines at a Glance
All abstracts submitted through the Scientific Research Call must include results to be considered. If accepted, authors are required to attend in person, as no virtual presentation options are available.
- Authorship information
- Disclosures
- Behavioral objectives (min 2, max 5)
- Abstract (500 word max)
- Paragraph outlining evidence of methodological expertise relevant to the session’s topic (e.g., prior scholarship/publications, teaching, presentations that demonstrate use of the method)
Accepted proposals may take the form of:
- Panel: multiple presenters sharing perspectives or studies
- Interactive Workshop: hands-on or skills-focused learning
- Debate-Style Session: presenting opposing views on a methodologic issue
All formats should include engagement strategies to support active learning and dialogue.
- The Symposium is willing to consider a broad range of methodologies, some of which include: Pragmatic trials, secondary data use, economic evaluation
- Human-centered design, community-engaged research
- Geospatial methods, qualitative/mixed methods, implementation science
Translational Scope: Welcomes research from T0 to T4 stages.
Presented methods abstracts (500 words max) are expected to clearly address the following:
- Describe what methods-based problem (gap) this session will address
- Describe the innovative research design, method, instruments, and/or theory relevant to hospice and palliative care research
- Highlight key (past or potential) applications of this method in hospice and palliative care research
- Describe what potential implications this method holds for advancing the science of hospice and palliative care
Please complete all information requested on the electronic submission form by Wednesday, August 27 at noon PT.
How will Methods be submitted?
Research Method abstracts will be submitted via survey monkey for abstract submission. Once you have completed the requisite information and clicked “submit” on the website, your abstract will be reviewed by the SOTS Planning Committee. Hard copy proposals cannot be accepted.
Can I submit more than one abstract?
Yes. Authors may submit multiple abstracts but are strongly encouraged to select and submit only their TWO best abstracts for review to ensure quality and reduce redundancy.
Can I submit an abstract that has been presented at another meeting?
Yes. Abstracts that have been previously submitted or presented at other scientific meetings are welcome.
However, please note:
- Previously published abstracts (e.g., in peer-reviewed journals) will not be re-published in association with the State of the Science Symposium or Annual Assembly.
Is interdisciplinary faculty encouraged?
Yes. Proposals that feature interprofessional or multidisciplinary teams and/or address health equity-related methodological challenges are especially encouraged.
Registration and Participation Agreement Acknowledgment
Faculty of accepted proposals are required to register and attend the State of the Science Symposium and pay appropriate registration fees related to their attendance, as well as travel, hotel, and other related expenses.
If you require assistance or have questions about the content of your submission, please e-mail [email protected] or call 847.375.4712 between 8:30am-5pm CT, Monday through Friday.