avoiding truly offal poster presentations c. watkins, j.g. mexal and r. goss new mexico state...
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Avoiding Truly Offal Poster Presentations
C. Watkins, J.G. Mexal and R. GossNew Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
BRANDING
NMSU promise:
• to provide students with a quality education that prepares them for the world ahead
• http://brand.nmsu.edu/msppt.html
Avoiding Offal Posters
Background on Posters
• 1974: Debuted at Biochem/Biophysics Mtg• 2002: Posters – ASHS = 69% of 760 presentations
– ACSSS = 66% of 2195 presentations
– WSWS = 46% of 142 presentations
– WSSA = 36% of 333 presentations
• Posters: 34% = poor to fair,
36% = average,
30% = good to excellent
Avoiding Offal Posters
Outline
• Guidelines
• Background
• Layout
• Font Size
• Text
• Pictures
• Tables
• Graphs
Avoiding Offal Posters “Old School” Approach
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters• Go to File, Page Setup, Slides Sized For
(choose custom with landscape orientation, 44” width, 34”
• Go View, Guides (used to align text)
• Tables, figures, photographs or other objects can be inserted.
• Print on 8.5” x 11” to proof read
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters• Use a large font• Have lots of open space• Three columns is usually better than four; (two
columns might be better than three) • Use bullets (this is not a journal article)• Use graphs instead of tables• Use photos• Use a background other than white• K.I.S.S.
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for PostersPlan
• What is the size? 1.2 m X 2.4 m (4’ x 8’) or 1.2 m X 1.2 m (4’ x 8’)
• Should be readable from 2 m (6’)
• “Murder your Darlin’s”
• 1-3 take-home messages– don’t present all your research in one
poster
Avoiding Offal Posters Backgrounds- “Old School” • This is as boring in posters as it is in slides.
• Be lazy- use PowerPoint
• Be creative- use your imagination
Avoiding Offal Posters Backgrounds-• Textures
• Photographs– higher resolution (pixillation)
• Clip Art– relevant
Avoiding Offal Posters BackgroundsPhotograph Watermark Grayscale
R B Y B R B Y B R B Y B
R B Y B R B Y BR B Y B
Avoiding Offal Posters Backgrounds
Clip Art Watermark Grayscale
R B Y B R B Y B R B Y B
Avoiding Offal Posters Backgrounds-Combinations
• Layout– Organize in modified IMR&D format
– Layout in left-to-right and top-to-bottom
– Exceptions: • Upper right = POWER = Conclusions
• Lower corners = WEAK = M&M, tables,
junk
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
Title Author and Affiliation
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
No. 127,993a
Title Author and Affiliation
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
Power Corner
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Power Corner
Weak Corner
Weakest CornerDon’t put anything
important here other than your buttocks
Avoiding Offal Posters Font Size
•96 pt = 23 mm•72 pt = 17 mm• 48 pt = 9 mm• 28 pt = 8 mm • 24 pt = 6 mm • 20 pt = 5 mm
• Headings– 12-15 mm font
– Do not switch sizes (Results, Materials and Methods)
• Text– KISS: Brevity is a virtue
– Use “Landscape” format, as the commercial says: “Wider is better.”
– Right ragged margins
– Outline format—use bullets
– >6 mm font
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
Title --96 pt = 23 mmAuthor and Affiliation--72 pt = 17 mm
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
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Subheadings -- >9 mm
Headings -- >12 mm
Text -- > 5 mm
Title Author and Affiliation
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
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Omit ‘Abstract’ if allowed
Make this easy to find!Use border or highlight
Logo
• Good quality logo– color– appropriate size
• Poster number– often required
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• Title– Active title– Avoid “effect”, “affect”, “influence”, “impact”,– Tell the results of your research– Use large font ~25 mm– Use Bold– Do not use ALL CAPS
• Authors & Affiliation– use smaller font than title ~15-20 mm– use logo (in color)
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
• Title– short, and catchy (this is the ‘hook’)– > 25 mm– easily read– avoid dead words, e.g. effect, influence, study
• Authors– > 15 mm– Underline presenter, if not senior author
• Affiliation– department, city, e-mail address– construct pocket for business cards
Title Author and Affiliation
• Bad titles:– “Effect of magnesium on early taro growth.”
Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 25:2159:1994
– “Vacuum cooling and storage temperature influence the quality of
stored mung bean sprouts.” HortScience 35:891:2000
• Good titles:– “Sugars prevent the detrimental effects of gamma irradiation on cut
chrysanthemums.” HortScience 31:117:1996
– “Narrow row spacing does not affect lima bean yield or management of weeds and other pests.”
HortScience 36(5):884:2001
Title Author and Affiliation
• Abstract– Omit unless required; repeats ‘Conclusion’
– If required, substitute ‘Implications’ for ‘Conclusion’
– Abstract on poster need not be identical to submitted abstract
• Introduction– Brief
– Bullets better than text
– Include ‘Hypothesis’ and ‘Objectives’ with their own headings or subheadings
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
• Hypothesis: Faculty, even Professors, can learn to present research findings in a clear, legible, and attractive format that enlightens the reader.
• Objectives: – Present ‘tricks of the trade’– Suggest universal layout– Conduct cost/benefit analysis
HypothesisObjectives
• Only the ‘Introduction’ and ‘References’ are less important
• Be brief• Use photographs (> 5” x 7”)• N.B. You are already considered the expert--
that’s why they stopped at your poster. There is no need to elaborate extensively on the methods; unless this is a methods poster.
Materials& Methods
• Photos– Use them– Prefer: 20 cm x 25 cm– Acceptable: 10 cm x 18 cm– Should be pertinent– Photos need a legend
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
Title Author and Affiliation
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
Hot ideas callfor hot photos!
No. 127,993a
• USDA Choice (no fat allowed)!• “Just the facts, ma’am. Nothing but the
facts.” Joe Friday
• Use bullets
• > 1.5 spaces between lines
• Place most important findings in the upper 1/2 of the poster
Results
• Tables– Brief legend at top
– No more than 20 items
– No more than 4 columns
– No more than 5 rows
– Use >6 mm font
– Use significant numbers
– Use statistics
– Number tables (if needed)
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Blings (Mg/ha)Treatment Horgne(m)
Borch(mg/kg)
Keing(%)
Xeros(gpm)
1998 1999 2000 Mean
1 17.083 14 a 77 402 4.5 3.8 7.2 5.2 b
2 15.256 2 a 76 480 3.8 2.9 8.1 4.9 c
3 6.664 11 a 81 358 1.5 3.3 5.9 3.6 d
4 21.001 4 a 79 289 9.8 7.6 12.1 9.2 a
5 18.222 7 a 80 430 3.6 4.6 6.7 5.0 b
Mean 16.555 8 78 392 4.9 4.4 8.0 7.6
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Blings (Mg/ha)Treatment Horgne(m)
Borch(mg/kg)
Keing(%)
Xeros(gpm)
1998 1999 2000 Mean
1 17.083 14 a 77 402 4.5 3.8 7.2 5.2 b
2 15.256 2 a 76 480 3.8 2.9 8.1 4.9 c
3 6.664 11 a 81 358 1.5 3.3 5.9 3.6 d
4 21.001 4 a 79 289 9.8 7.6 12.1 9.2 a
5 18.222 7 a 80 430 3.6 4.6 6.7 5.0 b
Mean 16.555 8 78 392 4.9 4.4 8.0 7.6
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Blings (Mg/ha)Treatment Horgne(m)
Borch(mg/kg)
Keing(%)
Xeros(gpm)
1998 1999 2000 Mean
1 17.083 14 a 77 402 4.5 3.8 7.2 5.2 b
2 15.256 2 a 76 480 3.8 2.9 8.1 4.9 c
3 6.664 11 a 81 358 1.5 3.3 5.9 3.6 d
4 21.001 4 a 79 289 9.8 7.6 12.1 9.2 a
5 18.222 7 a 80 430 3.6 4.6 6.7 5.0 b
Mean 16.555 8 78 392 4.9 4.4 8.0 7.6
What’s important here?
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Blings (Mg/ha)Treatment Horgne(m)
Borch(mg/kg)
Keing(%)
Xeros(gpm)
1998 1999 2000 Mean
1 17.083 14 a 77 402 4.5 3.8 7.2 5.2 b
2 15.256 2 a 76 480 3.8 2.9 8.1 4.9 c
3 6.664 11 a 81 358 1.5 3.3 5.9 3.6 d
4 21.001 4 a 79 289 9.8 7.6 12.1 9.2 a
5 18.222 7 a 80 430 3.6 4.6 6.7 5.0 b
Mean 16.555 8 78 392 4.9 4.4 8.0 7.6
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
• Horgne = 16.555 m
• Borch = 8 mg/ha
• Keing = 78%
• Xeros = 392 gpm
Blings (Mg/ha)
1998 1999 2000
4.9 4.4 8.0
• Graphs– Legend above figure
– Use >6 mm font
– Do not copy from thesis or manuscript
– Number figures
– Do not include numerical value with figure
– Use color
– Bar graphs: • No “pseudoperspective”
(3D) [Bill Gates likes this]
• No more than 3 groups of bars
• Label Y axis on horizontal
– Line graphs• No more than 5 lines
• Remove 1 line for every cross-over
Avoiding Offal Posters Guidelines for Posters
Table 1. Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Blings (Mg/ha)Treatment Horgne(m)
Borch(mg/kg)
Keing(%)
Xeros(gpm)
1998 1999 2000 Mean
1 17.083 14 a 77 402 4.5 3.8 7.2 5.2 b
2 15.256 2 a 76 480 3.8 2.9 8.1 4.9 c
3 6.664 11 a 81 358 1.5 3.3 5.9 3.6 d
4 21.001 4 a 79 289 9.8 7.6 12.1 9.2 a
5 18.222 7 a 80 430 3.6 4.6 6.7 5.0 b
Mean 16.555 8 78 392 4.9 4.4 8.0 7.6
Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Treatment
Voldt (Mg/ha)
d
a
bb c
Eslduroie wrhfnv worh;lf wruwuawiu wer rsdote awuflnf weefipf0fs.
Treatment
Voldt (Mg/ha)
d
a
bbc
• Effective poster organization and presentation can improve comprehension of new information presented at scientific meetings.
• Meetings can be more enjoyable for everyone.
Implications
• Cost of a good poster:– person-years to collect data X annual salary– cost of meeting (airfare, per diem, registration)– poster ($50 for color @ Kinko’s)
• Benefit:– A good poster will attract readers, potential
collaborators, funding agencies, or future employers
Cost/Benefit Analysis
• Tools– Push-pins
– Velcro
– Knife
– Liquid paper
Do not check poster as luggage: Carry with you everywhere!
– Black pen
– Clear shipping tape
– Business cards
– Shipping tube
Avoiding Offal Posters Traveling with Posters
Title Author and Affiliation
Abstract Introduction
HypothesisObjectives
M&M
Photo/ Results
ConclusionsConclusions
Results
M&M/ Table/ Results
Implications
TablePhotos
Photo/ Results
No. 127,993a
Be creative!!