Transcript Characteristics of a Good Scientific Poster

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“Stand alone” summary of research
Allows for “Visually augmented” discussion
◦ ~5 minutes
◦ Few viewers at a time
◦ Interactive
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General : Symposia
Conferences
◦ Increased opportunity for presentation
◦ Time/location included in program
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Hallways
◦ Often posted outside labs after presentation
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Research presentation
Idea sharing
Practice public speaking
Opportunity for teaching and learning
Deepens understanding of topic
Create collaborations
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People in your field
◦ Will read even if bad
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People in related fields
◦ Easily persuaded to view
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Previously uninterested passers by
◦ Can be attracted by a good poster
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Consult rules of conference
Create a storyboard
Visually appealing
Simply and tightly written
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Size Max (board size)
Abstract number
Abstract in or out
Contact Information
Section headings
Font size
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Select/design figures/tables
Estimate space that will be needed
Select number of columns
◦ Average 4
 36”x54” good for 4 column
 36”x48” good for 3 column
 >42” tall is quite big
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Choose headings desired
◦ Abstract, Introduction, Results, etc
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Use bulleted or numbered lists
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Understand reader “gravity”
Have an obvious flow
◦ Headings
◦ Numbers
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Use white space to organize
Neutral backgrounds
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Carry information with colorful images and
figures
Balance your text and images
Use very large font for title
Format text to prevent sub- or superscripts from
altering spacing
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Minimize writing and maximize visuals
Avoid long sentences and paragraphs
Can use figure legends/captions as text
Assess every sentence and word
Put related text and images near one another
Length and text style determined by
conference
 Optimally, identical to “paper” title:
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◦ Very brief summary of research
◦ May or may not give results
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Helps people to choose which posters to
view
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Names
Department, University, Centers, etc
Email Address (may be required)
Phone number (may be required)
Logos for Universities, Depts, Centers
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May not be required
Placed in upper left of poster body
Provide redundant information on
poster
Approx. 300 words, 2500 characters
Content: Mini paper
◦ Intro with Purpose (2-3 sentences if
possible)
◦ Methods
◦ Results
 Important data
 Significance, mean values, n, SD
◦ Discussion/Conclusions
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Very information-dense, but simply formatted
Write “long” if needed
Analyze one sentence at a time
◦ Each sentence has purpose
◦ Each sentence logically follows another
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Use plain English wherever you can
Use active voice when you can
State only your most important conclusion(s)
There is not good writing, only good rewriting
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Get viewers interested!
Reason you chose to study
◦ Foundation for your work
◦ General topics to specific
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Make as brief as possible
Usually contain
citations/references
Include hypothesis
Generally completes first
column
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Objective, Aim, Goal
Why are you doing?
May include a hypothesis here or in Introduction
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Text with subheadings
Can include a flow chart
to summarize
May include citations
Make sure to include:
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subjects
experimental design
drugs and equipment used
statistical methods
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Largest section
Often two middle columns
Experiments- what you found
Don’t present raw data
Make Image-based; use few
words
Maximize use of Figures
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Make them simple
Must be easily seen
Make all lines wide enough
All text large enough!
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Minimize use of tables
Can use figure legends/captions as text
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Or discussion or summary
How did hypothesis work out?
Tie back to real world problem
Why Important
Very few words
Bullets good
Bigger font if needed
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If cited, must include reference
Generally “short” (title optional)
Can make smaller if needed
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Actual layout:
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Powerpoint (one big slide)
Pagemaker
Canvas
Illustrator
Ask print shop about requirements
◦ Print directly or convert to pdf
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Images
◦ Photoshop
◦ MS Photo editor
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Tables/Graphs
◦ Directly from Office (Excel or Word)
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Sample posters can be seen online
◦ google search
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A “template” can be found at:
◦ http://www.utsa.edu/mbrs/resources.htm
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Use standard formats
◦ .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .tif, .bmp
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Watch resolution of photos
◦ 72 dpi
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Insert high dpi photos
Make them relatively large
Stretch to correct size
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Opening sentences
◦ Name, school, degree seeking, laboratory mentor
◦ What circumstances for research?
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Flow to introduction
◦ Don’t refer to text, do refer to images
◦ Why important?
◦ Hypothesis
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Move to Methods
◦ Briefly summarize
◦ Point at figures
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Move to Results
◦ Longest section
◦ Indicate at beginning if did not work
◦ Walk thru all figures
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Transition to Conclusions
Say Conclusions
Acknowledgements (optional)
Any Questions?
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MAKE SURE TO PRACTICE!
Develop 5-10 minute presentation
Know first sentence
What to say for each figure
Transitions between figures
What to point at for each figure
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Mini-poster printed out
Poster repair kit
Pins
Business cards
Water
Notebook
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Stand to side of poster
Take initiative
Smile, but stay near poster
If they come closer Say, “Hello” and shake hands
Give name
Ask them, “Would you like me to walk you through my
poster,” or similar
Give title
Mention mentor’s lab and context of research.
(Optional) Ask if they are familiar with this field of
research
◦ No- More introduction, careful with acronyms
◦ Yes- Can go more quickly through intro
◦ Then…Move into Introduction…
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Proceed as planned, above
Be friendly
Don’t sound like you’ve memorized
Be excited about your work
Remember to refer to your poster!
They may interrupt with questions
Give extra information only if they ask
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Keep promises that you’ve made
Drop emails to folks whom you’ve met
Hang poster outside of lab