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Mentor Scheme-
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Mentor Scheme?
The AIDS 2004 Abstract Mentor Scheme is a new initiative for the International
AIDS Conference. Volunteer Abstract Mentors will assist first time abstract
submitters improve the quality of their abstract.
Is there an age limit? Are there other limitations?
There is no age limit as to who can or cannot submit a question or be a Mentor.
The only limitations are that questions must be of a practical nature and
submitted in English via the online question submission form. Your abstract
draft should also be included in the form.
Do you have to be registered for the Conference to participate as a Mentor or
to submit a question?
No, you don’t have to register for the Conference to participate.
Do you guarantee that all questions will be answered? If not, what are
possible reasons?
We will, of course, strive to ensure that all questions are answered within two weeks of submission. However, as this is a new initiative, it is difficult to
assess how popular it will be and so are unable to guarantee at this time that
all submissions will receive an answer.
Possible reasons for not receiving an answer include: the submitted question did
not fulfil the question requirements and was deleted by the Mentor Scheme
Manager; Mentors felt that the question was related to data or actual findings
and therefore shouldn’t be answered or the question was submitted in a language
other than English.
In what way will the Mentors help the Abstract Submitters?
Mentors will respond to questions on practical issues and formal requirements on
the abstract. The answers will guide the abstract submitters through edits and
improvements to the abstract before they submit it to the Conference for review.
Mentors will NOT write, translate or make the changes to the draft abstract on
behalf of the Abstract Submitter.
Is the Mentor Scheme a part of the Abstract review and selection process?
The Mentor Scheme is completely independent of the Abstract review and selection
process. It is an opportunity supported by the Conference that will increase
Access for All to have a better possibility of having an abstract accepted as
an oral or a poster presentation.
What is the aim of the Mentor Scheme?
The aim of the Abstract Mentor Scheme is to provide an opportunity for
first-time abstract submitters to ask questions of more experienced abstract
submitters. The Conference Secretariat will facilitate the scheme and provide
the tools to match Abstract Mentors with submitters.
What is the connection between the Mentor Scheme and the Conference Theme Access for all?
It is in the spirit of the Conference theme Access for All that the AIDS 2004
Abstract Mentor Scheme has been created. We hope that this initiative will be
successful and continue in subsequent International AIDS Conferences.
How does the Abstract Mentor Scheme work?
The process begins when the abstract writer submits their draft abstract
together with their question to the online question submission form on the
Conference website. The Abstract Mentor makes the initial contact by answering a
submitted question from the question list. The question will then be removed
from the list. When the abstract submitter has received the answer, it is up to
the individuals on both sides to decide if they want to continue the mentorship
for follow up questions and further fine tuning.
What questions can be asked?
1. The questions (and the attached abstract or abstract draft) must be written
in English.
2. All questions are submitted using the online submission form. Questions
submitted by e-mail, fax, telephone and regular mail will not be posted.
3. The questions must be of a practical or formal nature.
Examples: “Is my introduction extensive enough?”
“Are my conclusions clear and well supported by my collected data?”
“Have I described the method I have used well enough?”
“What part of the abstract could I edit to shorten my abstract?”
“Would a graph or table be useful?”
4. The Mentor will NOT answer questions concerning the quality of the data or
the actual findings.
Example: “What other conclusions/lessons learned should I list?”
5. The Mentor will help form the best possible abstract from the submitted
abstract draft. However, the Mentor will not indicate if he thinks that the
abstract will be selected or not.
6. The questions should be of a specific nature and closely related to the
abstract or abstract draft. It is therefore essential that the Abstract
Submitter attach the abstract draft when submitting the question.
Who can submit a question?
The Mentor Scheme is intended for first time abstract submitters who plan to
submit an abstract to the XV international AIDS Conference. If your work
has previously been published in journals or presented at other conferences, you
should think about becoming a Mentor rather than submitting a question.
Who can be a Mentor?
Abstract Mentors should be experienced abstract authors that have had at least
one abstract accepted for presentation at an International AIDS Conference.
How can the Mentor and the Abstract Submitter continue the discussion
after receiving the first answer?
The Mentor and the question submitter are free to continue their dialogue
once the initial question has been answered. The Conference Organisers cannot,
however, accept any responsibility for these discussions.
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