Creating & Presenting Research Posters

Creating & Presenting Research Posters Liza Ware June 26, 2013 Viterbo University Summer Research Brownbag

Sample Poster

What is a poster session like?

Preliminary Steps • Determine size and any other requirements • Should be available on conference website • Size may also be determined by printer • Viterbo poster form: http://www.viterbo.edu/copycenter.aspx?ekfrm=3286 • Outline content you want to include • Introduction/Background • Method • Results • Discussion/Conclusions • References

Creating the Poster File • PowerPoint or Publisher • Sizing • Fit poster on a single slide. • IDC SRCD poster - generics - April 2013.pptx • To size slide: Design tab  Page Setup  Choose Custom and specify dimensions. • Add content • Make poster flow: L-to-R; top-to-bottom • Use visual aids: pictures, graphs, tables, bullets, columns, etc.

Font Type and Size • Should be easily readable from 3-6’ • Vary sizes across different text levels • Title should be at least 48-pt • Headings at least 30-pt • Main body no smaller than 24-pt • Type • Arial, Palatino, Calibri are all good choices • Nothing that is too difficult to read

What amount of text is appropriate? • “Less is more and more is a bore” (Dunn, 2011, p. 198) • Keep it brief!!! • Using bulleted lists is acceptable and recommended. • Incomplete sentences can be used in some cases • E.g., Method & Results – see sample posters • However, should be detailed enough for someone outside of the class/field to understand. • E.g., define terms as needed

Use visual aids to organize information • A good poster uses visual and graphic displays to present information • E.g., shapes, tables, flow charts • Use sub-headings as appropriate • Don’t overdo it! • Visuals should have a purpose • Make it interesting, but not too busy or colorful. • Use colors that are appealing, not distracting or difficult to look at. • Stick to the same color scheme throughout.

Examples of Bad Posters • “What Makes a Good Research Poster” (tamuwritingcenter) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYOPbQlBVKM • (0:44 – 3:40)

Use helpful tools in PowerPoint/Publisher to help you • Background: Right-click on slide  Format background  Choose fill color • Display Grid and Guides: Right-click on slide  Grid and Guides  Choose preferred options • Display Ruler: View tab  Ruler option • Arrange/Align items : Select items to be arranged / aligned  Format tab  Align  Select preferred option • Insert textboxes, shapes, pictures, etc.: Insert tab. You can then change the color, size, etc. when you click on them and go to Format. • Zooming In/Out: Bottom right corner of screen  Select to zoom in on one section while working on it or click on ‘Fit Slide to Window’ button to see the whole poster.

Finalizing poster • Spell check! • Double-check placement, alignment, etc. • Save in PDF format to send to printer. • Double-check PDF file first!

Presenting the poster • When people approach your poster, they might read it, talk to you, or just walk away. • Different people have different interests; don’t be offended if someone walks away. • When someone stops to read it, give them a minute and then say, “Let me know if you have any questions.” • Be prepared to briefly present poster • People often want you to tell them about it instead of reading. • Be prepared to summarize it in 2-3 minutes. • Focus on main points. • Use non-technical terms or define as needed. • Use poster as a visual guide (e.g., point to sections as you talk about them). • Practice ahead of time!

Fielding questions • Stop and think before answering • What if you don’t know the answer?! • Do your best to answer it. • Remember, it is okay to say that you don’t know the answer! • Don’t get defensive! • Someone challenging your arguments is part of the scholarly process • Be willing to consider new ideas.

Don’t forget… • ...to be enthusiastic! If you find the topic interesting, so will your audience!

Creating & Presenting Research Posters