Preparing a Scientific Research Poster Dr. Fuad M.

Khoshnaw
PhD in Metallurgical Engineering (1995) PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (2010)
Chartered Engineer CEng., UK Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK

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Outline
Why this Presentation? General Comments Definition and the Objectives How Do You Prepare a Scientific Poster? The Structure and Details of a Poster The Advantages of Poster Presentation Interactions with the Audience General Advices Comparisons between Presentation Ways Conclusions Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Why this Presentation?

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General Comments
The contents that have been used for this presentation are not standard. More information can be seen on specific websites that talk about poster presentations. The comments of this presentation are not related with a specific area (specialization). Therefore, they can be used for whatever area. General advices are given and everyone can use what is useful and leave the else. Each group might take a part or parts of this presentation. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Definition
A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface. Traditionally, since the last few decades the posters were used for reproductions of artwork, particularly famous works. Nowadays posters include also both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text. Another type of poster is the educational poster, which may be about a particular subject for educational and research purposes. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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The Objective of This Presentation

There are three main methods to express the research works, which are: Published papers Oral presentation Poster presentation May be some researchers fail to recognize the ideal format which is a combination of a published paper and an oral presentation. The following slides show how to design research posters to express study objectives, methods, findings, and implications effectively to varied professional audience. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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How Do You Prepare a Scientific Poster?

Technical Setup Select a proper software program, such as PowerPoint. Select Design Page Setup

Font Size (Point)

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Poster Session

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How Do You Prepare a Scientific Poster? The Structure of a Poster

A research poster is a document that can communicate your research at a scientific meeting, and is composed of a: A title (Short is Preferable). An Introduction/Abstract/Background. An overview of the experimental approach. Summary of key studies and gaps in existing literature. The results Short insightful discussion of the abovementioned results. Brief acknowledgement of the assistance, especially the finance support. If all text is kept to a minimum, a person could fully read the poster in under 15 minutes. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Poster Size and its Structure

The Poster (IF it has not already been specified by the organizer) A4 (210x297 mm), A3 (420x297 mm) , A2 (420x594 mm) A1 (840x594 mm) and A0 (840x1186 mm) are preferable. The Title The title will be potential readers first indication of your poster, therefore make it easy to read from a distance e.g. 40- point. To prevent crowding around the print which can discourage others, posters should be readable from a distance of 1-2m. The rest of the text should not be smaller than18 point. Photos and Drawings Usually the dimensions that are used for photos are smaller than drawings, but both should be of a sufficient size. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Contents and Organization of a Poster

Research posters are organized like scientific papers, with separate paragraphs dedicated to the objectives and background, data and methods, results, and conclusions. However: Dont simply send (copy-paste) paragraphs from the scientific paper, which are far too text-heavy for a poster. Adapt them, replacing long paragraphs and complex tables with bulleted text, charts, and simple tables. Color and Background The use of colored poster also is more pleasing to eyes that have been scanning several hundred posters. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Title of the Poster (Point 40)

Introduction OR Abstract Authors Names (Point 32)
Affiliations, e-mail, address (Point 28)

Background What is topic? Why important? How common? Previous studies

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The Results Let Your Figures Do the Talking

Charts are often the preferred way to express numeric patterns. Reduce the need for long text descriptions or complex tables. Each section of a research poster about complex quantitative results and analysis should be adapted and translated into simplified charts, tables, and bulleted text. For example: Create a pie chart to present sample composition. Use a simple bar chart to show how the dependent variable varies across subgroups. Provide each chart with a title (in large type) that explains the topic of that chart. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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The Wh-Questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why)

The Wh questions are an effective way to organize the elements of a poster: In the introductory section, describe what you are studying, why it is important, and how your analysis will add to the existing literature in the field. In the experimental section of a statistical analysis, list when, where, who, and how the data were collected, how many cases were involved, and how the data were analyzed. For program evaluations, list who, when, where, and how the project was implemented and assessed. In the results section, present what you found. In the conclusion, return to what you found and how it can be used to inform programs or policies related to the issue. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Title of the Poster (Point 40)

Introduction OR Abstract Authors Names (Point 32)
Affiliations, e-mail, address (Point 28)

Study Strengths and Limitations Bulleted list of implications of each strength or weakness for interpretation of findings. Discussion

Statistical Model Variables Sample Size

Background What is topic? Why important? How common? Previous studies Study objectives Bulleted list of research questions. Aims of the Research

Where, Why, When, Who The Results Table, Chart, equation or diagram accompanied by bulleted text to explain key findings. Second result slide, etc.

A B C 2 3 - + Directions for Further Research

Conclusions

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General Advices to Prepare Your Poster

A poster should provide a summary of your research through short text, a simple design, and attractive images. Edit your text, then edit it again, i.e. updating it continuously. Use space, i.e. not crowded, to be clear. Consider whether abbreviations are necessary for your poster. Avoid them if: they are not familiar to the field or would be used only once or twice on your poster. If the abbreviations are used, spell them out at the first usage. Show your poster to friends and lecturers (audience). Ideally, your critic should not be too familiar with your work. Make sure to use images/illustrations that are copyrighted. If the images you wish to use are owned by other sources, you need to take permission for usage from the appropriate source. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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A Sample of a Poster

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To Whom You Write the Poster?

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To Whom You Write the Poster?

Poster is a way of dialogue between you and your viewers (Audience). Some of your audience will be experts on your topic but not your methods, some will be experts on your methods but not your topic, and most will fall somewhere in between. Different people will ask about different sides of your research. Some have researches on a similar topic or with related data or methods. Others have ideas about how to apply or extend your work, raising new questions or suggesting different distinctions, ways of classifying data, or presenting results. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Communication with the Audience

In general, write in a way that your audience can understand why your work is of interest to them. Start by introducing the two or three key questions you have decided will be the focus of your poster, and then provide a brief overview of data and methods before presenting the evidence to answer those questions. Pronounce the words correctly, use voice dictionary, e.g. Faculty. Even with a quantitatively sophisticated audience, do not assume that people will know all the equivalent vocabulary used. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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General Advices
Know your audience! Stay at your poster and talk to people. Wear smart dress. Do not chew gum or smoke. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Speak to your viewers as you explain your poster, not reading it. Do not compliment your work! Wear a name tag, if possible, so that viewers know that the poster belongs to you.

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The Advantages of Poster Presentations

The purpose of a research poster is to present information on current research that often is not totally complete or to present information on methods of observations that are the result of ongoing research. By presenting information on research during its infancy, problem areas can be discussed with peers and methods can be adjusted to give optimum results. Presenting a poster allows the presenter to do more personal interaction with the people who are interested in your research, and can reach people who might not be in your specific field of research. Good place to find people who can support your research financially. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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The Advantages of Poster Presentations

Posters are a hybrid form more detailed than a speech but less than a paper, more interactive than either. In oral presentation the presenter determines the focus of the presentation, but in a poster session, the viewers drive that focus. By the end of an active poster session, you may have learned as much from your viewers as they have from you, especially if the topic, methods, or audience are new to you. Once you have produced a poster, you can easily take it to other conferences. Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Comparison of Research Papers, Presentations, and Posters:

Written Materials
Form Length

Research Paper
Printed Document -25 pages

Oral Presentation
Slides or Transparencies Average 1slide/min Less time for text slide More time for table/chart slides Bulleted phrases replace full sentences. Charts and tables simplified from research paper version. Slides titles-24 point or larger Text: 18 point or larger. Dark Background with light main text, OR clear background with dark text. Use slide titles to guide viewers, integrating specific topic, purpose, or finding of each slide.

Poster Presentation
Poster Paragraphs A0, A1, A2, A3

Style

Full sentences and paragraphs. Formal Easy Structure

Full paragraphs in abstract. Billeted sentences in introduction and conclusion. Bulleted phrases replace full sentences methods and results. Paper title: 40 point or larger Text: 16-18 point Dark Color for most text. Clear colored background. Use paragraph titles to guide viewers, integrating specific topic, and the purpose.

Type Size Color

12-point Black type on white background Use subheadings to guide readers within sections.

Formatting

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Comparison of Research Papers, Presentations, and Posters:

Spoken Materials
Spoken Materials

Research Paper
N/A

Oral Presentation
Speakers notes: Either full narrative scrip or selected reminders, coordinated with slides. Handouts of slides, copied several to a page. Abstract and detailed tables may be distributed for longer seminars. Questions and discussion from the audience . Usually quite limited in a multipaper conference session. Questions from individual audience members after the session, where responses can be tailored to each person.

Poster Presentation
Few sentences summarizing main objectives and findings, spoken to each viewer. Abstract Handout of slides

Handouts

N/A

Interaction with audience

Occasional e-mail, phone, or in person queries.

One on one discussion with viewers, tailored in response to questions and responses from each viewer. Potentially extensive, depending on interests of viewers.

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Comparison of Research Papers, Presentations, and Posters:

Research Paper
Abstract Introduction Yes View to few to several pages of background on issue and issue and its importance. Detailed review and summary of previous studies on similar topics and methods. Comprehensive, detailed information on data sources, study design, variables, and statistical methods. May include equations.

Oral Presentation
No 1-2 slides of background on issue and its importance. One slide stating research question or hypothesis. 1-2 slides of few key studies only, either as tabular summary or bulleted text. 3-4 slides presenting only essential information on data sources, study design, variables, and statistical methods.

Poster Presentation
It is Possible 1-2 paragraphs of background on issue and its importance. Ending with statement of research question or hypotheses. 1 paragraph, focusing on main points from few key articles and identifying gaps in the literature. 2-3 paragraphs presenting essential information on data sources, study design, variables, and statistical methods.

Literature Review

Data and methods

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Comparison of Research Papers, Presentations, and Posters:

Research Paper
Results Detailed statistical tables and charts accompanied by descriptions written in paragraph form.

Oral Presentation
4-5 slides with simplified tables and charts, either accompanied by bulleted text annotations or described in speakers notes. One major result or set of related results per slide reflected in slide title. One slide each of bulleted text on Summary of key findings Policy implications Directions for future research Strengths and limitations It is possible Yes

Poster Presentation
2-4 paragraphs of simplified tables and charts accompanied by bulleted text annotations. One major result or set of related results per paragraph - reflected in the title. 2-3 paragraphs summarizing key findings, discussing study strengths and limitations, and describing implications for research, policy, and practice.

Conclusions

1-2 pages relating findings to research question and to related studies, discussing study strengths and limitations, and describing research and policy implications. Yes It is possible

References Acknowledgment

Not usual unless was necessary It is possible

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Summary and/or conclusions

1. Poster session is feasible for all specializations. 2. Posters must be readable from a reasonable distance, e.g. 1-2 m. 3. Making a rough draft and updating it continuously by showing it to your friends, lecturers, is the right way to reach the end. 4. Good posters take time to develop. Be sure to leave enough time for planning, updating and output. 5. Having good results of the research is one of the factors to prepare a good poster, but it is not all. 6. Other factors have effective roles, such as the way of writing, presenting your poster, and interacting with your audience.
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Title of the Poster (Point 40)

Introduction OR Abstract Authors Names (Point 32)
Affiliations, e-mail, address (Point 28)

Study Strengths and Limitations Bulleted list of implications of each strength or weakness for interpretation of findings. Discussion

Statistical Model Variables Sample Size

Background What is topic? Why important? How common? Previous studies Study objectives Bulleted list of research questions. Hypotheses, or aims of the Research

Where, Why, When, Who The Results Table, Chart, equation or diagram accompanied by bulleted text to explain key findings. Second result slide, etc.

A B C 2 3 - + Directions for Further Research

Conclusions

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Thank You for Attention

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