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Preparing and Presenting a Research Poster
John GreinerRice University
2
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
3
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?
4
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
5
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…
11
Some Problems with Pictures & Charts
• Size
• Resolution
• Colors
• Labels
• Units
• Chart junk
• Significant figures & error bars
12
Bar Chart – Before
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2.156 2.135
1
2.679 2.642
1
2.849
1.991
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Run
tim
e R
elat
ive
to U
nmod
ifie
d C
lass
es
Empty Loop Loop FieldOperation
Loop MethodInvocation
Microbenchmark
Microbenchmark Performance
Original ClassesModified ClassesModified Optimized
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Bar Chart – After
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
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Empty Loop Loop Field Operation Loop Method Invocation
Ru
nti
me
Rel
ativ
e to
Un
mo
dif
ied
Cla
sses
Original Classes
Modified Classes
Modified Optimized
Microbenchmark Performance
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Line Chart – Before
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
0.5 1.25 2.5 4Time (hr)
Cel
l Den
sity
(cel
l/cm
2 )
Untreated Cells TC Treated Cells FN Treated Cells
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Line Chart – After
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Time (hr)
Cel
l Den
sity
(cel
l/cm
2)
Untreated Cells
TC Treated Cells
FN Treated Cells
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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.
17
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
18
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
30
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.
31
Communicate with Confidence
• Stand up straight• Integrate gestures• Don’t block view of poster• Speak up
• Be enthusiastic• Maintain eye contact• Adjust pacing
32
More examples…
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Better organizationBut distracting color contrasts