How to Prepare for a How to Prepare for a Poster PresentationPoster Presentation
Shared by Kari Kokka and Lizzie Adelman (EdD D2 students)
Materials from
Professors Nancy Hill and Barbara Pan and Students Lauren Capotosto, Kristy Cooper
March 26, 2013
in preparation for the HGSE Student Research Conference
11
Why give a poster presentation?Why give a poster presentation?
Opportunity for the presenter and the audience to engage in one-on-one discussion
Opportunity for the presenter to get feedback and insight from the audience◦Literature◦Methods◦Possible explanations for findings
More genuine exchange of ideas than a panel presentation
What happens during a poster What happens during a poster session?session?Posters are displayed in an exhibit area for
a designated time periodPresenters stand by their posters to engage
with audience members as they walk through the exhibits
Audience moves through the displays stopping at posters related to their interests
Presenters discuss their work with visitors to their posters
Presenters and visitors can exchange information for follow up conversations (more on handouts later)
What will happen during the What will happen during the SRC poster sessionSRC poster session??
Posters will be displayed on tables in Elliot Lyman (using tri-fold board displays) during one of two dedicated poster sessions
Presenters will stand by their posters at designated portions of the poster session
Presenters will discuss their work with visitors to their posters
Presenters will visit other posters when they are not sharing their poster
Preparing Your PosterPreparing Your PosterMaterials for a Poster:
◦Conference posters are typically 3.5-4 feet by 5.5-6 feet, and are typically printed on large expensive, glossy poster paper
◦For the SRC, posters must be on tri-fold boards so they can be displayed on tables (and expensive, glossy printing is unnecessary) 15 slides can use the 4th floor color printer at Gutman
◦Tri-fold boards are available at many copy stores (e.g. Staples)
Preparing Your PosterPreparing Your PosterContents of a Research Poster:
◦Title Sheet◦Introduction◦Research Question(s)◦Methods◦Results◦Discussion/Conclusion◦References(can use PowerPoint to create your slides)
Title SheetTitle SheetShould include
◦Presentation Title◦Author’s Name(s)◦Affiliation◦(Email address optional)
IntroductionIntroductionIntroduce the general issues your
research coversPresent what is already known about
these issues in existing researchGaps in the literature
◦Rationale for your studyBest to include citations in small font
at the bottom of this sheet
MethodsMethodsDescribe your data sources and how
you collected your data◦Examples: surveys, observations,
interviews,existing dataset, etc.◦Give specifics such as number of
participants, length of interviews, etc.Describe how you analyzed your data
◦Coding scheme, quantitative methods, etc.
ResultsResultsPresent what you found in your dataConnect the data to each of your
research questionsExhibits are powerful here:
◦Tables, Graphs, Figures, Pictures◦Interview quotes◦Passages from field notes
Discussion/ConclusionDiscussion/ConclusionLink your findings to broader issuesState the implications of your work for
students, parents, teachers, administrators, and/or policymakers.
Limitations (optional, if space)Note directions for future research
ReferencesReferencesList references in APA formatThis is the one piece of your poster
that can be in very small font
Making Your Poster EffectiveMaking Your Poster Effective
Plan your poster in the same way you would plan a powerpoint presentation
Making Your Poster EffectiveMaking Your Poster EffectiveBe selective and focus on the major
points from your researchMinimize detailAvoid jargon
◦General audience vs. expert audienceHave a clear organizationGo for visual appeal
Making Your Poster EffectiveMaking Your Poster Effective
Be thoughtful about graphics:◦Capitalize on the informative nature of
tables, graphs, figures, and pictures◦Create a display that enhances
conversation◦Utilize color - particularly to highlight key
takeaways◦ Use large lettering (at least 20-point font)
Some Design TipsSome Design TipsPowerpoint slides make for great templates,
but avoid busy, distracting backgroundsStandard-size tri-fold boards hold about 15
slides in horizontal orientationYou can trim some slides to smaller than
8.5x11 sizeYou might mount slides on colored paperUse a minimum of 20-point font, and use a
consistent font throughoutBlack text is easiest to read
Use a handoutUse a handout
1-2 Pages (single sheet of paper)Might supplement the poster with
additional informationMight summarize the posterMight duplicate the poster content exactlyInclude your contact information for follow-
upOr go Green: Include sign-up sheet to
email poster slidesYou can also bring business cards if you
have them
Preparation TipsPreparation TipsPrepare a 3-5 minute explanation of
your poster to share with audience members who stop at your poster.
Practice your spiel with a few folks ahead of time for practice.
Have fun! It’s a great time to meet others with similar research interests and to share your thinking. You can also stop by nearby posters and checkout your colleagues’ work.
Other ResourcesOther Resources
Nicol, A.A., & Pexman, P. (2003). Nicol, A.A., & Pexman, P. (2003). Displaying Displaying your findings: A practical guide for creating your findings: A practical guide for creating figures, posters, and presentations.figures, posters, and presentations. Washington: American Psychological Washington: American Psychological Association.Association.
Nicol, A.A., & Pexman, P. (2003). Nicol, A.A., & Pexman, P. (2003). Presenting Presenting your findings: A practical guide for creating your findings: A practical guide for creating tables.tables. Washington: American Psychological Washington: American Psychological Association.Association.