1. Preparing a Scientific Poster for Presentation
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2. What is a poster presentation?
To present your research in the form of a story to an audience that is passing through.
The presenter stands next to the poster and engages in one-one-one discussions with individuals during scheduled poster sessions at scientific meetings.
WHY?
Scholarship, intrigue, dissemination, awareness, network, recognition, promotion,

3. Design Tip Posters are not simply journal articles
Avoid presenting too much information
Stay on the main point
Target your audience.
Most people will be too intimidated/rushed to approach a poster that is overly complicated.
Posters that convey their message from a distance are more likely to draw attention.

4. Who is your audience Physicians Other Medical scientists Educators IT
Peds only
Subspecialists
Interdisciplinary
Other Medical scientists
Educators IT
Administrators
Editors

5. What is your take home message?
If the viewer only carries away one idea, what do you want it to be?
Statement (Title or subtitle)
Photo
Diagram, graph or table
Make this stand out from 10 feet away
20-30% of your poster if possible

6. Parts of a Poster Title Introduction
A title that describes your conclusion or question in non-technical terms will attract more viewers
Introduction
a quick overview of your poster:
Background, Define any acronyms and avoid lab jargon.
Objectives, Aims, Goals, or Problem
A concise statement of the goal, question, or problem. Include an hypothesis, if appropriate.
Methods
A description, diagram, or flow chart representing each key process.
Results
Describe the data. Use Photographs, tables, or graph. Labeled with a caption
Conclusions
Provide a summary, discuss significance of results, and key conclusions.
Do the results support or not support the hypothesis?
References
Cite key publications in the text of your poster and list the references here. Include sources of any images or other materials used in the poster.
Acknowledgements
Thank the individuals, programs, and funding sources that contributed to the research.

7. Choose Appropriate Fonts and Font Sizes
Use Times New Roman or Arial font:
Avoid Serif fonts
AVOID: TEXT AND TITLES WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN CAPITALS
ARE HARDER TO READ
nothing beats black text on a light background. See Template below
Guidelines to make your poster easy to read at a distance:
Title
point bold
Author
36-42 point bold
Section Headings (Sub-titles)
36-54 point bold
Main Text
28-32 point
References & Acknowledgements
18-28 point
30 point font size will accommodate 250 words per square foot.

8. Tips Use bold section headings Make sure your message stands out
Titles, Images, graphs, diagrams
Consider using a conclusion or statement in place of the traditional section heading.
For example, replace the heading "Results" with a heading that states the take-home message such as, "Transcription of XYZ is Light-Induced."

9. How do you get your audiences attention?
Images, graphs, diagrams
“picture is worth a thousand words”
Title
Catchy, Acronyms
Descriptive
Conclusion
Introduction/Abstract

10. Finishing touches Edit, Edit, Edit !
Have friends and mentors read/view it
Eliminate all but the vital elements.
Is everything?
Is there at least an inch of "white" space around the edge of the poster?
Don't forget "Spell Check”

11. Final Check before Printing
Attracting Your Target Audience
 If you encountered this poster at a poster session would you stop to look at it?  
Is the poster directed to the target audience?  
Is the title of the poster concise and does it stand out?  
Is the poster's theme or take-home message quickly discernible?  
Is the poster layout visually pleasing
Delivering the Message
 Is the research objective made explicit and highlighted under a heading such as "Objectives," "Aims," or " Goals?"  
Are the main points explicitly labled (e.g., "Main Points," "Conclusion," "Results").  
Does the information flow logically?  
Has the content been carefully edited?  
Is the text legible in terms of font choice, size, color and spacing?  
Does the title bar include the presenters' names and is the department or institution identified?  
Is the poster free of curious acronyms and jargon?

12. Final Check before Printing
Creating Visual Impact
Are the graphics large enough to be seen from a distance of 10 feet?   3
Are the graphics attractive and relevant?  
Have figure legends or captions been used to guide the viewer?  
Does the poster have sufficient clear space?  
Are text and graphics evenly balanced, with enough text to explain the graphics?  
Have items been aligned?

13. Presenting Your Poster
Tips for engaging your audience
Take the initiative to open up a conversation with an interested party
For example, you might ask:
"Would you like an overview of my poster?"
"Do you have a particular interest in this topic?"
"Would you like the short version or the long version?"
Time is very limited so most people will want the short version.
Don't just stand quietly beside the poster.
Presenting your poster
Be prepared to give a brief, figure-by-figure summary of the poster.
Stop when you have finished
let the person move on if he or she pleases
Don't be offended at quick comings and goings.
If you become very engaged with someone, let others know that you are aware of them, and get to them as soon as possible.
Exchange addresses, or arrange another meeting if it is clear that 5 minutes won't be enough time.

14. Preparing a Scientific Poster for Presentation Created Jan 15, 2014
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