creating a research poster -...

Creating a Research Poster

Jennifer SpringsteenMCH 1st-year

• Present research project data:

– Very specific scope

– Data not sufficient for formal publication

– Relevant to poster session topic

Purpose of a Research Poster:

• Title & Authors

• Abstract

• Research Objectives

• Materials & Methods

• Results/Data

• Conclusions/Discussion

• Future Directions

• Literature Cited

• Acknowledgements

Contents of a Research Poster:

Title & Authors:

• Title:– Short, Succinct, Specific

• Authors:– Discuss with mentor, collaborators to determine

appropriate inclusions and name order

– Include institutional affiliations

Formatting:

Centered across top

Large, bold font

Different sizes, colors to set off

Can highlight presenter’s name

Examples of Title/Author Lines:

Mast Cells in Oral Lichen Planus: Comparison of Two Methods for Histologic Detection

J. Springsteen, N.L. Rhodus, S. Kaimal, & S.L. MyersUniversity of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN

�University of

Minnesota

School of Dentistry

Abstract:

• Brief summary of your research:

– Background information

– Objectives and/or hypotheses

– Abridged materials & methods

– Overview of findings

• Use text submitted for poster registration!

Formatting:

Upper left corner

Smaller font than rest of poster

Can italicize text

Background:

• Introduce reader to your subject:

– Why is the issue important?

– What has other research shown?

– Basic facts/information about subject

Formatting:

Standard font size and style as

rest of poster text

Brief prose, don’t bullet

Images are helpful

Research Objectives:

• Clearly state why you did the project:

– Specific research question(s)

– Coordinate with your data & conclusions -

questions here are answered in those sections

• “Aims”, “Goals”, “Hypotheses”, etc.

• Keep these short and succinct

Formatting:


rest of poster text

Bullets or numbered sentences

Materials & Methods:

• Exactly what you did and how you did it.

– Tables and diagrams are helpful and visually engaging

– Describe each effort individually:

• subject selection, recruitment, randomization,etc.

• type of data collected, how collected, statistical analysis

• No data in this section!

Formatting:


rest of poster text

Images, diagrams

Sub-titles

Results:

• Present your data:

– Tables & graphs when possible - don’t hide

numbers in text

• Statistical test results

• Do not explain your data in this section!

Formatting:


rest of poster text

Use tables & figures; limit prose

Sub-titles

Conclusions:

• Explain your data:

– Address your specific research objectives

– Summarize statistically significant data

– Report unexpected or abnormal findings

– Discuss problems encountered or suspected

Formatting:


rest of poster text

Images, diagrams

Sub-titles

Future Directions:

• Outline future research:

– Improvements to study design

– Ways to address unexpected findings

– New objectives developed from this project

Formatting:


rest of poster text

Bulleted lines, 1.5 - 2.0 spacing

Literature Cited:

• Format as directed by poster guidelines, if specified-or-

• Use a standard, consistent format as observed in

current scientific journals

– Numerical endnotes

– Parenthetical author’s name and year

Formatting:

Numbered as listed in text, or

Alphabetical, chronological

1.5 - 2.0 line spacing

Don’t use bullets

Acknowledgements:

• Thank your supporters -- Important!

– Who funded your project?

– Did you receive any donations?

– Is your research part of a larger project?

– Did someone else do your data collection? Analysis?

Writing? Design?

Formatting:

Lower right corner

Small, italicized font

Multiple, separated lines for

multiple acknowledgements

Suggested Section Headers:

• You are not limited on section headers!– Choose what fits your project - different words may fit

different subjects, disciplines better than others!

– You may need to discuss unique types of information that don’t fit generic headers.

• Examples:– “Background Information”

– “Project Summary”

– “Demographic Information”

– “Measurements

– “What we know”

– “What we found”

– “Where are we going”

Examples:

Choosing A Format:• Single Large Page

– Currently more common

– Impressive presentation

– Careful! Can’t easily correct

mistakes!

• Many Small Panels

– Less expensive

– Easier to transport

– Can update for new data

and correct mistakes

Designing Your Poster:

• Make it clear and easy to read!

– Large block fonts

– Contrasting colors

– “White” spaces, margins

– Bold titles, sub-titles

– Short paragraphs

– Bulleted points

Can you read this?

How about this?

Make it easy to read!

Is this better?


• Create logical flow!

– Top left to bottom right

– Set off each section

• Bold sub-titles

• Different colors

– Direct reader’s eye

• Arrows

• Highlights


• Make it interesting!

– A picture is worth a thousand words!

– Graphs and tables make data easy to interpret

Know The Specifics:

• Poster guidelines– The organization hosting the poster session should provide

specific details including:

• Size limitations

• How poster will be hung (pins, tape, velcro)

• Time of your presentation

• If details are not provided, use general rules:• Size typically ranges from 3’x5’ to 4’x6’

• Pins are usually o.k. unless specified

• Plan to stand at your poster for 1 or 2 hours

• SPH Research Day:– Min. 4’x4’, max. 4’x8’

Using Power Point:• General Tips:

– Create consistent page design

• Format one text box exactly as you want it, then copy and paste new ones so that all are consistent.

• Keep colors, fonts, styles, consistent or coordinated

– Outline objects

• Add a black or colored line around text boxes and images to create a more defined edge.

• Use different backgrounds to set off tables, figures

– Images

• View the image at the actual size at which it will be printed - make sure it is not pixilated or blurry

• Use high-resolution (.tif) formats

– Caution - large files can slow/freeze your computer - Save often!

Using Power Point:

• Multiple Small Panels:– Be consistent with fonts, sizes, colors

– Options:• Can create a slide presentation and simply print the

slides as panels

• Printer can enlarge panels - be aware that font sizes will increase

• If you want different sized panels, don’t print some at 100% and others at 200% - font’s won’t match

– You will have to create multiple Power Point documents with customized sizes and make sure your design is consistent.

Using Power Point:

• Single Large Page– Create custom-sized slide

• File, page set up, slide sized for… “custom”

• Power Point has a maximum size of 56”x56”

– You can create a poster half as wide/tall as you want your final version to

be, then have it printed at 200% size.

– Use alignment tools

• Center objects relative to page

• Align text boxes along tops, sides

• Group objects to keep them together

– Arrows overlayed on images

– Text boxes associated with figures

– Use “Fit” view size and then zoom in on areas to do work

Printing your poster:

• On Campus:

– ADCS Student Computer Lab

• B060 Coffman Union

• http://www2.publabs.umn.edu/index.html

– University Printing Services

• Multiple locations

• http://www.printing.umn.edu/

• Off Campus

– Jim McCabe - UMN Posters - highly recommended!!!

• http://www.umnposters.com/

creating a research poster -...

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