THE RESEARCH CONFERENCE

PRESENTATION
William Perez, Ph.D.
MMP Workshop 2-8-08

OUTLINE
Presentation Formats
Preparation
Presenting
Q&A

PRESENTATION FORMATS
Poster Session
Paper Presentation/Symposium
Roundtable

BEFORE THE POSTER PRESENTATION

Turn your proposal/paper into a poster presentation
format
Review key articles/research literature to reference
during your discussion with visitors
Rehearse a 1-2 minute synopsis of the main
findings and its implications
Review all the details of the study
Review poster format guidelines usually posted on
conference website or program/schedule
Print 30-40 handouts
Bring a pad of paper and pen to get peoples email
in case you run out of handouts

You can also do this in lieu of handouts

POSTER CONTENT
Title
Introduction
Key Literature Reference
Research Question
Methods

Sample
Procedures

Results
Discussion/Conclusion
References
Contact Information

EFFECTIVE POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Poster Content needs to be succinct

No long titles

Pay careful attention to the title-shorter is better

No long paragraphs
Brief sentences
Bullet points

Highlight only key findings

Do not try to include all findings
Include one key figure and/or one key table

Figures and tables should be easy to read/understand

If using PowerPoint, use no more than 10 slides

DURING THE POSTER PRESENTATION

Have plenty of handouts ready with contact
information and/or business cards
Be ready to discuss limitations of the study

If you cant address a particular question its ok to say I

dont know, or I will need to consider that further, thank
you for raising the issue.

Use the opportunity to network/promote your work

Be able to articulate in 2-3 minutes the
importance/main findings/implications of the study

PAPER PRESENTATION/SYMPOSIUM
Usually 5 or 6 people
Coordinate presentation with others
An important difference between a poster
presentation and a paper presentation is that you
have more space/time to articulate rationale,
important findings and implications

PAPER ORGANIZATION
Title
Introduction
Key Literature References
Research Questions
Methods

Sample
Procedures
Measures

Results
Discussion/Conclusion
References
Contact Information

BEFORE THE PRESENTATION

Figure out your time limit and organize your
presentation accordingly
Coordinate the presentation order with fellow
presenters
Practice your presentation several times to make
sure you stay within the time limit

Practice in front of the mirror

Record your presentation and play it back

Make modifications based on your practice sessions

Prepare 30-40 handouts

As backup, prepare full-size printed slides and/or
overhead projector slides

DURING THE PRESENTATION

Load PowerPoint Slides into one computer, and
open them all before symposium starts to use your
time more effectively
Delivery basics

Speak in a slow and deliberate pace, dont rush

Make eye contact with the audience

DURING THE PRESENTATION

Fielding Questions/Comments

If you do not know the answer

Belligerent audience member

Dealing with discipline specific language and

vocabulary at a transdisciplinary conference

Q&A

Questions from the audience