abstracts, submissions & posters…oh my! design, development and delivery of winning...

Abstracts, Submissions Abstracts, Submissions & Posters…Oh my!& Posters…Oh my!

Design, Development and Delivery of Winning Professional Posters

Presented by:

Elton Machholz & David Mallon

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Decide which is best – a Poster or Presentation?Develop a winning abstract formatReview poster submission guidelines

NCAB AALAS & National AALAS

Review common poster design elementsDefine text formatting tips & tricks Identify eye-catching graphic techniquesDiscuss the 3Rs of postersLearn winning poster design tips, tricks & techniquesPractice poster design in a small group exercise

Comparison of Posters versus Comparison of Posters versus PresentationsPresentations

Presentation Posters

Long (>30 minutes) Varied topic/concept Limited audience/interest group You must be present whole time Required to develop formal talk,

handouts, and materials Formal announcement/publicity Often needs updating/changes

between conferences

Short (<15 minutes) Focused topic/concept Varied audience/interest group Limited presence (normally

scheduled) Poster is presentation and

handout Prizes/Awards often given Lost in the poster hall Use and re-use poster Display after the event

What is an Abstract?What is an Abstract?

Submitted to conference before event◦Normally months in advance – plan ahead!

Titled the same as posterLimited to one paragraph (~ 200 words)Highlights information/purpose of poster

◦Focus on primary concept/topicNot a section/part of your poster

◦This is your poster’s advertisement – sell it!

Abstract ComponentsAbstract Components

Mission StatementProblem Statement (Hypothesis)Approach/MethodsResultsConclusion

Remember – your abstract should be no more than one paragraph or 4-6 sentences & 250 words!

Use Abstract Development Tool (Attachment)

Example AbstractExample Abstract

Blended Learning & Simulation in Laboratory Animal Training

Author: Charles River, BS, RLAT

Abstract: The principles of “reduction” and “refinement” require laboratory animal researchers to use as few animals as possible consistent with good science, and to refine techniques to minimize animal pain and distress. Errors may cause animal suffering, data loss, and unnecessary repetition of studies. Simulation is a training technique to effectively engage learners, reinforce knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA) transfer without placing live animals or scarce experimental reagents at risk. This poster highlights several simulation processes used by our facility to enhance the animal husbandry training program. As a result of implementing simulation in our program, we have reduced errors by 310%.

Example Abstract BreakdownExample Abstract Breakdown

Abstract: The principles of “reduction” and “refinement” require laboratory animal researchers to use as few animals as possible consistent with good science, and to refine techniques to minimize animal pain and distress. Errors may cause animal suffering, data loss, and unnecessary repetition of studies. Simulation is a training technique to effectively engage learners, reinforce knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA) transfer without placing live animals or scarce experimental reagents at risk. This poster highlights several simulation processes used by our facility to enhance the animal facility technical training program. As a result of implementing simulation in our program, we have reduced errors by 310%.

Key:Mission Statement Problem Statement Approach/Methods Results

Poster ElementsPoster Elements

LayoutTitleIntroductionMaterials & MethodsResultsConclusionsCitations & LiteratureAcknowledgementsFurther Information

LayoutLayout

Review conference poster guidelinesVary your style, graphicsUse good color contrast!Use large enough fontSan serif fonts are best

Poster Components

Sample Poster LayoutsSample Poster Layouts

TitleTitle

Simple and specific◦Think TV/Paper Ads!

Avoid the use humor◦Detracts form serious research

Avoid using colons to expand titleCheck conference organizers for proper

format◦Sentence format is best

Maximum Size = 20 words

IntroductionIntroduction

Do not repeat your Abstract!Focus on getting viewers interestedPictures & images are good!Cleary state objectivesClearly state hypothesisRelate project to

◦Existing research data◦Regulatory requirements◦Importance to…

Maximum size = 200 words

Materials & MethodsMaterials & Methods

List/describe methods and materials◦Focus on new techniques/technology

Identify statistical modelsShow process/flow chartsImages are great!Maximum size = 200 words

◦Often overinflated in posters!

ResultsResults

Maximum Size =200 words + Figures/Images

ConclusionsConclusions

Your chance to summarize and review◦What is the take home message?

Convince viewers of your project’s importance

Relate results to the Real World◦Previous research◦Established literature◦Current/future applications◦Future research directions

Maximum size = 200 words

Citations & LiteratureCitations & Literature

Be sure to cite all referencesPrioritize citations

◦Most to least importantMatch format to conference standards!

◦Council of Science/Biology Editors (CSE/CBE)◦Web & e-mail communications too!

Example Format◦Author’s Name, Title, Place, Publisher,

Publication DateMaximum citations = 10 items

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

This is the “Thank You” sectionPrioritizeName individuals/organizations not titlesRecognize funding source(s)Clearly identify competing interests and

conflictsMaximum size = 50 words

Further InformationFurther Information

Your contact information goes here!◦Avoid “Great poster… who was it again?”◦Name, Title, Organization, Mail Address, Phone◦Disable E-Mail & Website auto-links

Post/provide copies of your business cardMaximum size = 50 words

Text TipsText Tips

Use as little text as possible!Choose sans serif font typesPoster should read from 5 feet awayUse italics instead of underliningChange font size for heading emphasisUse

◦Spell Check◦Grammar Check◦Friends/Coworkers◦Websites/Professional Writers

Text Tips (Normal)Text Tips (Normal)

Good Fonts (28 pt) Bad Fonts (28 pt)

ArialCalibraHelveticaLucidaFranklin GothicUniversVerdana

CenturyClarendonGaramondGeorgiaMarigoldPalatinoTimes New Roman

Text Tips (Bold)Text Tips (Bold)




Text Tips (Text Tips (ItalicsItalics))




Text Tips (Bold+Text Tips (Bold+ItalicsItalics))




Text TipsText Tips

Text block size = 40 characters wide◦Most e-mail/word processors default to 80

charactersKeep text dark/backgrounds lightScale acronyms and large type text to

keep scale◦This is a EXAMPLE of a 24PT font scaled down

to EXAMPLE 22PT for capitalized text◦This is a EXAMPLE of a 24PT font scaled down to EXAMPLE 22PT for capitalized text

Text TipsText Tips

Avoid double spacesAvoid high contract colors

◦Screen versus Print view – look at both!◦RGB versus CMYK color schemes◦Audience will have color deficient viewers◦Use commercial color compatibility checkers

(VisCheck) http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/vischeckURL.php

Image TipsImage Tips

Use high quality/resolution images◦Web images = 72 DPI (poor)◦Hi Resolution = 300+ DPI (good)

Crop images to only material neededKeep a raw file separate form posterUse borders/shadows (gently) to make

images stand out

Percent of people who agree/disagree thatDi-Hydrogen Oxide (H20) is toxic

Chart TipsChart Tips

Percent Responding


Use 2D elements◦3D looks cool, but hard to interpret

Use complimentary colorsAvoid background colorsAll text in horizontal alignmentLegends OK – Label Elements Best!Avoid extraneous data, labels, etc.


Graphs/Charts are good!Use imagery within chartUse chart titlesUse sentence text format

◦Stay consistent across poster design/layoutUse images of charts on poster

◦Easy to work with◦Scales all content simultaneously

Do not color chart backgroundDo not use 3-D effectsAvoid vertical text alignment

3 Rs of Poster Design3 Rs of Poster Design

3 Rs = Review, Review, ReviewSpell Check is your friend, and enemy!Use at least three (3) outside reviewers

◦(1) Peer who understands content/concept◦(2) Peer who is naive to content/concepts◦(3) Supervisor/stranger/family memeber◦(4) Technical writer – very helpful!

Professional/Peer Review – final approval and pre-printing review

3 Rs of Poster Design3 Rs of Poster Design

Focus on reducing word count◦800 words or less is ideal◦Remove soft words (e.g. located)

Work with it in scale!My approach - Post-It Notes®

◦Use colors!◦Leave out by poster◦Unbiased/anonymous

Typo Errers

Love graphs!Get some

sleep!

Preparing Your PosterPreparing Your Poster

Arrive early to set upLocation, location, location…Poster Kit – don’t assume conference

provides◦Transport/shipping tube◦Copies – 8.5” x 11” preferable◦Mounting supplies ◦Repair kit◦Typos and changes on site

Presenting YourselfPresenting Yourself

Thoroughly review your poster/manuscript◦Know your material!

Introduction - prepare an elevator conversation◦Smile◦Your five (5) minutes of fame

Dress for success – accessorize don’t clash with your poster!

It’s all about smells… don’tOffer copy of poster/business cards

Poster Design ExercisePoster Design Exercisehttp://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/posteradvice.htm

abstracts, submissions & posters…oh my! design, development and delivery of winning...

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