1. Creating a Research Poster Original materials created by Jennifer Springsteen Maternal & Child Public Health University of Minnesota

2. Purpose of a Research Poster: Present research project data: – Very specific scope – Data not sufficient for formal publication – Relevant to poster session topic

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

4. Title & Authors: Title: – SSS – 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

5. 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. Myers University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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”

16. Examples:

20. 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!

21. 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?

22. 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

23. Designing Your Poster: Make it interesting! – A picture is worth a thousand words! – Graphs and tables make data easy to interpret

24. 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

25. 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!

26. 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.

27. 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

28. Printing your poster: – See help.pop.psu.edu for the latest information.

29. Help Materials For You help.pop.psu.edu