2013 Annual SIOPSA Conference
CSIR, Pretoria
How to Guide
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Enquiries: SIOPSA
tel: 0860 SIOPSA (746 772)
fax: 086 558 4097
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.siopsa.org.za
Introduction
Welcome to the SIOPSA Abstract ‘How to Guide’. Our aim with this guide is to help you with
the process of completing and submitting an abstract for the conference. Please read this
guide carefully to ensure you are familiar with all the guidelines and procedures required.
Submission arrangements
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Submissions for conference presentations close 28 February 2013
Final inclusion in the program will require registration by the presenting author.
Conference theme - Making a Difference in the Future World of
Work
Submissions will go through a blind peer review process and will be considered based on:
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Appropriateness of topic
Quality of methodology
Grounded in theory/evidence-based
Potential contribution
Overall evaluation
Online submission
All submissions must be made via the online submission process. A separate online
submission must accompany each abstract. It is essential that all sections of the online
form be completed. Go to www.siopsa.org.za and click on the link for online abstract
submissions.
The information for all Panel members and presenting authors must be completed for final
consideration. Changes to authors after the closing date will not be accepted.
Quality control
All abstracts submitted will be subject to a quality control process organised by the Abstract
Committee. A blind peer review requires the name, business/organisation and position of the
author to be removed before being reviewed by the panel to ensure objectivity of the process.
Code of ethics
Authors of material submitted for the Conference must conform to the HPCSA Codes of Ethics
as set out in the HPCSA Act. Copies can be obtained from the website at www.hpcsa.co.za
Resources
SIOPSA provides an LCD projector, screen, and microphones (auditorium sessions only) for
each session. Overhead projectors will no longer be provided. Please note that in order to
use the LCD projector you will be required to bring your own laptop.
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Abstract formats
The SIOPSA program has different session types. To submit a proposal, you will need to
adhere to the proposal format requirements for that session type. That is, each of the session
types has a specific proposal format associated with it.
The following abstract formats are available:
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Case Study (How to session)
Debate
Master Tutorial
Panel Discussion
Poster
Research Paper
Roundtable/Conversation Hour
Workshops
Abstract format details
Case study/ How to session (45 min)
Case Study or How to session should offer practical, specific advice concerning how to
conduct a particular type of research or practice, e.g., design of a situational interview,
how to manage change, how to run a consultancy. Case Study/How to sessions are
ideal for practitioners who wish to share an aspect of their expertise or experience.
However, they are not intended to be marketing opportunities. Submissions will
undergo peer review.
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 Debate (45 min)
An effective way to present opposing views about a topic. A debate requires a
moderator and either one or two people to represent each side of a
controversial topic within I-O psychology. The debate may consist of the
moderator stating a position, one side presenting arguments that affirm the
proposition, and the other side presenting arguments against the proposition.
Alternatively, the moderator may pose pointed questions to the debaters, whereby
they each share their conflicting views of the specific issue under consideration. Time
for rebuttal and audience questions can be incorporated into the session. At the end of
the session, the moderator can sum up the main points of the session. Submissions
that do not have at least two presenters with different affiliations in the
session (i.e., every presenter cannot be from the same institution) will not
be accepted. Panel member information must be submitted with the
submission (complete this online).
 Master Tutorial (45 min - 2 hours)
The primary purpose of the Master Tutorial is to develop and educate the audience
about a focal I-O topic. As examples, tutorials might be developed to provide an
update on a specified content area, discuss a new statistical technique, or describe
how knowledge from another discipline can be applied to an I-O problem or topic.
Topics that are not appropriate include descriptions of products that the presenter is
marketing.
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 Panel Discussion (1 hour)
In a Panel Discussion, the chairperson plays a very active role, serving as the
moderator who asks questions of the panel members and ensures that all panel
members (three to five people) have the opportunity to speak. Panel Discussions
should generate spontaneous interaction among panel members and between panel
members and the audience. Diversity among panel members is important to the
success of the session. Further, all panel members must recognise the need for
advance preparation. A Panel Discussion proposal should describe the questions that
will be addressed by the panel, the underlying issues or themes to be discussed, and
the structure or format of the session. Submissions that do not have at least two
presenters with different affiliations in the session (i.e., every presenter
cannot be from the same institution) will not be accepted. Panel member
information must be submitted with the submission (complete this online).
 Poster (30 min)
Poster sessions give participants opportunities to present individual papers. At each
poster session, many authors simultaneously present their papers, primarily in a visual
medium, with key excerpts from the papers displayed on large boards (8’ x 10’). The
audience circulates among posters and stops to discuss papers of particular interest
with the authors. Papers submitted for poster presentation must represent completed
work. Poster submissions will be peer reviewed, and there will be a prize for the best
poster.
Research paper (30 min)
Papers submitted for research presentations must represent completed, original (i.e.
has not been published or presented elsewhere) work. Submissions will be peer
reviewed. If there are more acceptable papers than slots available for oral
presentation, then an offer will be made to present as a Poster.
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 Roundtable/Conversation Hour (1 hour)
The typical approach for this session type is to have one or two experts on a focal
scientific or practical I-O topic serve as hosts. Members of the audience are typically
seated in a circle to facilitate their active participation in the discussion with the hosts
and with each other. The purposes of this session type include helping attendees with
problems they are currently facing, discussing the latest developments in an area,
and/or developing contacts with people who have similar interests. Although the
expert(s) may wish to make a short presentation to begin the session, the majority of
time should be devoted to answering questions from the audience and/or promoting
discussion and networking. Panel member information must be submitted with
the submission (complete this online).
Workshop (half day only)
There are a limited number of slots available for interested persons to present a
workshop. A workshop provides an opportunity for interactive 4 hour sessions in which
the workshop delegates will partake actively in the learning opportunity. Experiential
learning, handouts, checklist, video’s or audio are encouraged as useful tools to create
interaction.
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Abstract submission
General:
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Commitment: By submitting a proposal, you are indicating your personal
commitment to deliver the presentation at the 2013 SIOPSA conference should it be
accepted. Prior to submission, please consider any potential travel or funding
constraints that would prevent you from delivering your presentation should it be
accepted. By submitting a proposal you are also indicating that you have the legal
right to present and distribute the material in your proposal.
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Text and editing: The text should be a maximum of 1000 words. Author takes final
responsibility for editing; no further editing will be done
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Category: Please read through the category area to make sure you pick those
with the best fit. We recognise that this list is not exhaustive. There is no ’other’
category. Choose the best fit. Choose a topic that fits with your abstract theme or
title.
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E-mail address: Give the full email address in the usual form, using conventional
lettering. There should be no full stop at the end of the email address.
Format for Research papers, Case Study and Poster submissions
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Abstract title: The title of the paper should be in lower case with the first letter
being upper case. No other words should have capital letters unless they are proper
nouns.
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Objective and motivation: State the primary objectives of the paper. For nonresearch papers, consider what you want to achieve in presenting the information.
Why do you want to tell others about the topic?
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Design and method: Describe the approach, design or method you used to
investigate the issues involved. For non-research based papers, explain what you did
to understand the situation.
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Value proposition and conclusion: Describe the outcomes of the research study or
practical work conducted. Did you learn anything in particular? Describe how the
results of your study or work can be used by others in the field. Did you identify any
specific best practices? Describe any specific conclusions you can draw from the study
or work conducted. Review your objectives (as stated earlier) and see how this paper
has met them and describe it accordingly.
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Note: Details of all authors must be listed in the author/panel members section of the
online system. No changes can be accepted after the closing date.
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Format for Debate, Conversation hour/Round table, Panel
discussion and Master Tutorial submissions
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Abstract title: The title of the paper should be in lower case with the first letter
being upper case. No other words should have capital letters unless they are proper
nouns.
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Overall purpose of the session: State the overall purpose of the session. Consider
what you want to achieve with the session.
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Relevant research and literature review: Describe the scenario and background
that prompted you to consider discussing this topic. Use any relevant research or
literature to back up your discussion topic.
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Specific objectives of the session: State the specific objectives that you want to
achieve with the session and how you will achieve it (i.e. structure for your session).
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Note: Details of all panel members must be listed in the author/panel members
section of the online system. No changes can be accepted after the closing date.
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Example abstracts
Below you will find examples of abstracts which you can use as a guideline when submitting
your abstract.
Example 1: Research based paper
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Example 2: Case study/ How to session
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Example 3: Debate
DEBATE SUBMISSION EXAMPLE
Title of the session
Competency models: A boom or bane to leadership development?
Overall purpose of the session
To what degree is it important for an organization to carefully articulate the
competencies—that is, the knowledge, skills, and abilities—needed by individuals who
take on leadership roles in the organisation? Many organisations have readily taken
on this task and can cite the benefits of developing a leadership competency model.
However, others in the leadership development business are concerned that too much
has been invested in this approach and that it can detract us from the work of
developing leaders. In this session, experienced practitioners will debate whether
competency models have mostly helped or mostly hindered leadership development.
Relevant research and literature review
In I/O psychology competencies are not really new. There is a significant history of
person-centered models from the original work by Hemphill and ETS on Executive
Behaviors, to Doug Bray’s management variables in the Management Progress Study,
to Dunnette’s Executive Skills, to Byham’s and PDI’s management dimensions, and to
the competencies outlined by McClelland and Boyzatzis. The trend towards
competencies became the leading edge of education and I/O psychology and soon
spread to training programs in business organisations and then to employee
development systems. By 1990 a majority of the Fortune 500 companies had
developed a competency model for their managers.
Into the 1990’s the use of management and executive competency models was
widespread. They provided companies with a clear structure and direction for their
internal leadership development programs and initiatives. Developmental assessment
centers, high potential programs, and even succession planning systems were built
around competency models. Companies were able to focus and elevate the
management / leadership skills of the broad management pool. Many executives saw
them as a way of building the leadership talent needed for a successful business.
Today, competency models are a way of life for many business organisations. They
have expanded their influence and are often connected to a range of Human
Resource systems in a company including selection, promotion, and even
compensation.
Specific objectives of the session
 highlight the different points of view that exist among I/O psychologists with
respect to competency models
 examine the assumptions and experiences behind these differences
 encourage an open dialogue
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