Transcript Presentation and quality control in music psychology Richard Parncutt ICMPC10, Sapporo, August 2008

Presentation and quality
control in music psychology
Richard Parncutt
ICMPC10, Sapporo, August 2008
Aims
• giving a ppt-talk: general principles
– common errors and how to avoid them
• revision of individual ppt presentations
– learn from concrete examples
Find the right level
• tutorial character vs. specialist detail
• generalities vs. specifics
Text on slides
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clear headings
hierarchical structure
concise, point form
ca. 10-30 words per visual
font size at least 20
contrasts in size, color…
animation if appropriate
acknowledge sources (author, date)
Diagrams and tables
 generally better than text
 uncluttered - can audience
take it all in?
 acknowledge sources
Graphs
Uncluttered
• audience should understand everything
• redraw if necessary
Clear axis labels
• both measure and unit
• font size at least 16
• explain them verbally
– Start from a specific point on the graph
Acknowledge sources
• (author, year)
Introduction
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summarize what audience already knows
add detail from literature
present your theme/question in this context
emphasize its relevance and implications
• explain difficult concepts with examples 
Examples
visual
 diagram, graph, objet trouvé
auditory
 CD, musical instrument, your voice
both
 video
Why present examples?
Help audience understand
 clarify research questions
 give examples before generalising
 promote active listening
Communicate efficiently
 more ideas in less time
Communication strategies
• clear structure
– help audience to anticipate content
• content
– rate of information flow
– level between tutorial and specialist
– emphasis of important points
Improvising the text
Concise, clear sentences
 notes and cards are unnecessary
 save secret notes in powerpoint?
Expand on each point
 don’t just read it out
 pause between sections
Practise
• ask a friend or colleague for feedback
Physical interaction
• gestures
– expression, voice modulation
• eye contact
– with individuals
Respond to audience signals!
Is your presentation…
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interesting?
comprehensible?
too loud or soft?
too fast or slow?
Inform - don‘t infatuate
 provide:
 clear, helpful, interesting information
 avoid:
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long, complex sentences
exaggeration
unnecessary jargon
unfounded claims
destructive criticism
Timing
Section
Introduction
Main content
Conclusion
Duration
5 minutes
10 minutes
5 minutes
about 1 minute per slide