Creating a Research Poster

Original materials created by Jennifer SpringsteenMaternal & Child Public Health

University of Minnesota

Purpose of a Research Poster:

• Present research project data:– Very specific scope– Data not sufficient for formal publication– Relevant to poster session topic

Contents of a Research Poster:• Title & Authors• Abstract• Research Objectives• Materials & Methods• Results/Data• Conclusions/Discussion• Future Directions• Literature Cited• Acknowledgements

Title & Authors:

• Title:– SShort, SSuccinct, SSpecific

• 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: Standard font size and

style as 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: Standard font size and

style as 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: Standard font size and

style as 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: Standard font size and

style as 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: Standard font size and

style as 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:

Examples:

Examples:

Examples:

Choosing A Format:

• Many Small Panels– Less expensive– Easier to transport– Can update for new data and

correct mistakes

• Single Large Page– Currently more common– Impressive presentation– Careful! Can’t easily 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?

Designing Your Poster:

• Create logical flow!– Top left to bottom right– Set off each section• Bold sub-titles• Different colors

– Direct reader’s eye• Arrows• Highlights

Designing Your Poster:

• 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

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:– See help.pop.psu.edu for the latest information.

Help Materials For Youhelp.pop.psu.edu