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Creating a Research Poster
Jennifer SpringsteenMCH 1st-year
• Present research project data:
– Very specific scope
– Data not sufficient for formal publication
– Relevant to poster session topic
Purpose of a Research Poster:
• Title & Authors
• Abstract
• Research Objectives
• Materials & Methods
• Results/Data
• Conclusions/Discussion
• Future Directions
• Literature Cited
• Acknowledgements
Contents of a Research Poster:
Title & Authors:
• Title:– Short, Succinct, Specific
• 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:• Single Large Page
– Currently more common
– Impressive presentation
– Careful! Can’t easily correct
mistakes!
• Many Small Panels
– Less expensive
– Easier to transport
– Can update for new data
and 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
• SPH Research Day:– Min. 4’x4’, max. 4’x8’
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:
• On Campus:
– ADCS Student Computer Lab
• B060 Coffman Union
• http://www2.publabs.umn.edu/index.html
– University Printing Services
• Multiple locations
• http://www.printing.umn.edu/
• Off Campus
– Jim McCabe - UMN Posters - highly recommended!!!
• http://www.umnposters.com/