Preparing and Presenting a Research Poster

John GreinerRice University

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Poster Session Challenges

• Audiences make decisions quickly

• Posters sometimes stand alone

• Audiences come and go as

presenters talk

• Poster must be accessible

– Show overall organization

– Show comparisons

• Poster must be comprehensible

• Speaker must attract others, adapt

to situation

Challenges Solutions

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Similar to Technical Paper or Talk

Tell an interesting storyWhat’s your “news”?

• What problem are you solving?• What are your results/conclusions?• What sets your work apart?

– E.g., new algorithm or theoretical approach

• Why does your work matter? • How can your work be applied?

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Similar to Technical Paper or Talk

Structure your story

• Say what you’re going to say Abstract• Say it Body & Results• Say what you said Conclusion

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Make “The News” Accessible

Using structure– Provide a “gist” somewhere (abstract, summary, overview)– Include problem statement or objective– Use specific informative headings

Using wording– Reduce jargon

Using visuals– Is it an image?– Is it a contrast? (old vs. new)– Is it a demonstration?

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Different From Paper / Similar to Talk

Space is at a premium.

Interactivity is key.

• Be concise – word choice, sentence fragments• Be precise – word choice• Use pictures when possible• Omit unnecessary details

– MUST KNOW Use as your main focus– Good to know Add some– Nice to know Leave for oral presentation

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I’m not going to read this!

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Complex Text to Clear TextSimplify Text

The ideal anesthetic should quickly make the patient unconscious but allow a quick return to consciousness, have few side effects, and be safe to handle.

Ideal anesthetics:• Quick sedation• Quick recovery• Few side effects• Safe to handle

Next generation computer games cost approximately 20 to 30 million dollars, require one to three years of development, and may have a short life cycle in the market of only six weeks.

Next-gen games: Investment: $20M–$30M

Development: 1–3 years

Life cycle: 6 weeks

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Think Visually

• Pictures & Charts

• Fonts

• Colors

• Layout

With lots of examples to discuss

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Accessible & Self-Explanatory Figures

Use tags and/or captions

Caption…

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Some Problems with Pictures & Charts

• Size

• Resolution

• Colors

• Labels

• Units

• Chart junk

• Significant figures & error bars

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Bar Chart – Before

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Empty Loop Loop FieldOperation

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Microbenchmark Performance

Original ClassesModified ClassesModified Optimized

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Bar Chart – After

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Empty Loop Loop Field Operation Loop Method Invocation

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Line Chart – Before

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Line Chart – After

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Textual Presentation Guides the Reader

• Scale expresses relative importance.• Indenting shows subordination.

– As in this example

• Color adds emphasis or coherence.

• Meaningless font and color changeschanges are distracting.

• Low-contrast colors are hard to read.

• White space directs gaze and provides grouping.

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Fonts

• Title ~5-8 words 90 – 120 pt

• Headings ~3 words 36 – 48 pt

• Text 30 – 36 pt

Sans serif large scale slides, postersSerif fonts small scale papers

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Layout: Left-to-Right in Columns

Like a paper, flows top to bottom, left to right

Title & Authors

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Layout: Left-to-Right in Rows

Title & Authors

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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Layout: Centered Image & Explanations

Title & Authors

Abstract

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Layout: Side-by-Side Compare & Contrast

Title & Authors

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Details Matter!

• Consistent formatting

• Correct grammar & spelling

• Parallel construction

• Contact info

• Correct bibliography

• Credit to others

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Connect with the Audience

Greet audience.

Why are they interested?

What are their backgrounds?

How will they benefit?

What are their questions?

Prepare 30 second, 2 minute, and 5 minute talks.• Different levels of interest• Different backgrounds• Be able to summarize key points in 2-3 sentences.• Be able to start from any section.

Reinforce key points.

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Communicate with Confidence

• Stand up straight• Integrate gestures• Don’t block view of poster• Speak up

• Be enthusiastic• Maintain eye contact• Adjust pacing

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More examples…

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Better organizationBut distracting color contrasts