How to Prepare for a Poster Presentation Shared by Kari Kokka and Lizzie Adelman (EdD D2 students) Materials from Professors Nancy Hill and Barbara Pan.

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

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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

Research Question(s)Research Question(s)State the specific research questions

you address

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.