Frequently Asked Questions
Where and how do I make a submission?
All submissions are made through our website. After dues are paid, begin by clicking the Members Only link on the left menu. Underneath, the Associate Proposals and Member Proposals sublinks will open up (Fellows should use the Member Proposals sublink). If a member then click on the Member Proposals sublink and follow the instructions. If an associate then click on the Associate Proposals sublink and follow the instructions.
Do I need to join EPA to submit a proposal?
Yes, only paid-up members, fellows, and associates may submit.
How do I pay my dues?
Dues may be paid on the website. Please allow up to 48 hours for processing (do not wait for the submission deadline!). If you are not in our database, please click on the "Join EPA Today" button on the homepage and follow the instructions. If you are in our database, log in and click on the Members Only link on the left menu. The Renew Dues sublink will open up underneath. Click on this sublink and follow the instructions. You can also send a check made payable to EPA to: Frederick Bonato, Psychology Department, Saint Peter's College, 2641 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306.
How much are dues and how much does it cost to join?
It depends... on line, members (all professionals) pay $60 which includes dues and registration for the annual meeting. Associates (all undergraduate students) pay $25 which includes dues and registration for the annual meeting. Graduate students may opt to become members or associates. Dues paid at the March meeting are $100 for members and $35 for associates. Members who did not pay dues last year will need to pay those as well going back one year. Hence, for 2012-2013 the total amount owed online or by mailed check will be $120 (last year dues were $60 + $60 this year's dues). For those who did not pay dues last year and choose to pay dues at the annual meeting, the cost will be $160 ($60 back dues + $100 onsite dues).
Besides cost, what is the difference between being a member and an associate?
Unlike members and fellows, who may submit a proposal for a poster, a paper and a symposium at each meeting, associates may only submit a proposal for a poster. Additionally, all poster submissions by associates require sponsorship by a current EPA member. If you receive an email asking you to sponsor an associate’s submission, please respond promptly. As a sponsor/advisor, your name will appear on all submissions that you sponsor.
If I am an undergraduate, how can I apply for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award?
EPA submissions with a first author who is a Psi Chi student member (undergraduate or graduate student) also may be submitted to the Psi Chi Regional Research Awards competition. To submit for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award, go to https://www.scholarselect.com/scholarships/5158-2012-2013-epa-regional-research-awards and submit the exact same long abstract as you submitted to EPA. To be eligible for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award, students must submit to both Psi Chi and EPA by the first EPA deadline of November 1, 2012 5:00 pm EST, must have their submissions accepted by EPA, and must present their posters at the March 1-4, 2013 meeting. Submissions to EPA's Special Undergraduate Poster Session with a December 1, 2012 submission deadline are not eligible for a Psi Chi Regional Research Award. Winners will be notified at the conference in March.
How many submissions can I make?
Each member may submit up to three: one poster proposal, one paper proposal, and one symposium proposal. Each associate may submit one poster proposal only.
What is the difference between a poster, paper, and symposium?
If accepted for a poster presentation, you will be expected to present your work in the form of a poster during one of the many themed poster sessions that we hold in the main auditorium. Poster sessions typically have anywhere from 30-70 presenters.
If accepted for a paper presentation, you will be expected to present your work in the form of a short oral presentation (power point presentation, if preferred). This presentation should be anywhere from 10-15 minutes long. You will be presenting along side other members speaking on analogous topics. Paper sessions typically have 3-5 presenters.
A symposium brings together 3-5 researchers in the same area from different institutions who present and discuss their work.
If there are multiple authors, who should submit the proposal?
Poster and paper proposals must be submitted by the first author, who should also be the presenter. The symposium proposal must be the chair of the symposium. (The chair may also be a speaker.)
Besides being a member in good standing, what else is required while making a submission?
You must submit 2 abstracts of your work, a short abstract and a long abstract. The exception to this requirement is that Fellows do not have to provide a long abstract. Fellows should simply type "fellow" into the long abstract text box. You can type directly into the text boxes for both but you may want to write your abstracts using a word processing program and and copy and paste text into the boxes. Remember that what you submit is final so please proofread your submission carefully. The text boxes will not accommodate graphics.
Why are 2 abstracts required?
The short abstract is for publication in the printed EPA program. The long abstract is used by the EPA Program Committee to make the decisions as to which proposals are accepted.
What are the word limits on the long and short abstracts?
The word limit for the short abstract is 75 words. Long abstracts should be between 500-1000 words.
What do I do if my area is not listed among the available categories?
Choose the area closest to yours! Please do not make up a category as that may delay the review process.
How do I know which day and time I will be presenting?
You will be contacted by a member of the program committee by February with this information. Proposers cannot choose a time to present. Be prepared to be available to present at any time on Friday or Saturday of the meeting before submitting an abstract.
What is the submission deadline?
All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 PM EST on November 1st. The exception is that submissions for the Special Undergraduate Poster Session will be accepted no later than 5:00 PM EST on December 1st. Please keep in mind that space for this special session is very limited. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to submit regular poster submissions if possible.
What is the required poster size for presenting?
Posters may be no larger than 4 feet high x 6 feet wide.
How do I register for the conference and where do I get my badge?
Conference registration is included with membership registration. Anyone planning to attend the conference needs to become a member and pay his or her dues. Members must log in to their account to pay their dues. A badge will be waiting for all EPA members at the registration table in the conference hotel.
What do I do if my question has not been answered here?
Please e-mail the executive office at easternpsychological@gmail.com