1-Apr-03 Environmental Science Seminar (ES2111) Spring 2003 Communicating Scientific Results Aisling D. O’Sullivan, Ph.D. Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

1-Apr-03 Objectives Tell a story Inform audience Stimulate discussion

1-Apr-03 Style Chronological order Logical progression Simple yet informative

1-Apr-03 Where to start? Identify: What data you wish to show Who your audience are How much time you have = ESSENTIAL PREPARATION

1-Apr Audience; Tailor presentation to audience Fellow environmental scientists Other scientists Other academics General public High schools Elementary school

1-Apr Location; Tailor presentation to location In a lecture theatre In a laboratory In a small classroom In a large conference hall Outdoors On the internet

1-Apr Audio-visual aids; Tailor presentation to media facilities available Overheads (transparencies) Computer projection (Powerpoint) Slides Black/white board Internet

1-Apr Time allocated; Tailor presentation to time Short introduction Part of a team-presentation Class project Conference publication Technical report

1-Apr What is the story?; Focus on certain aspects of work Choose a specific data set Don’t attempt to present everything Only include information relevant to the data you are presenting Be clear in the data

1-Apr Disposition; Dress appropriately Dress respectably but not too flamboyant Wear comfortable clothing (& shoes) Don’t look at your watch

1-Apr Outline presentation; Include the title, author names and affiliations, date and meeting on slide 1 Introduce yourself and your position Outline presentation at start = structure

1-Apr Summarize results; Write in bullet form Use key words Present only final data Don’t present all data on 1 slide

1-Apr Logical order; 1.Title, names, affiliations, meeting 2.Aims & Objectives 3.Introduction 4.(Materials and methods if necessary) 5.Results – bullet points, final figures 6.Interpret results 7.Conclusions 8.Acknowledgements

1-Apr Guidelines for slides; 1.Keep text to a minimum 2.20 words per slide rule 3.Use arial font or other simple ones 4.Use large font (>20)

1-Apr Guidelines for slides contd.; 5.Avoid too much noise (color/patterns) 6.Stick to 1 form of media 7.Space lines well 8.Use basic and contrasting colors

1-Apr Guidelines for talking; 1.Open on a strong preliminary statement –be assertive 2.Project voice well (to back of room) 3.Speak slowly (think quickly) 4.Make eye contact with various people

1-Apr Guidelines for talking contd; 5.Don’t read 6.Don’t fidget 7.Be interactive when appropriate 8.Start simple and clear – do not overestimate the background knowledge of your audience

1-Apr Guidelines for main data; 1.Keep details to a minimum 2.Present summary statistics –not large data sets 3.Use simple figures and explain each (axes, relationships etc) 4.Explain each point as it arises

1-Apr Guidelines for main data contd; 5.Do not rush through the data 6.Recap on previous points when they arise in subsequent figures 7.Make sure your audience understands the main points of the data

1-Apr Concluding remarks; 1.End on a clear take-home message 2.Provide a summary slide 3.End with, “in conclusion”……. 4.Indicate that you are ready to answer questions

1-Apr-03 Checklist  Correct structure Spell/grammar check Tables and Figures have; –comprehensive legend (no. & title) –correct axes, units, n & error bars Condensed sentences Reads clearly (can others understand?) Explains the focus of the study well Stimulates thought………...

1-Apr-03 More points for success; 1.Be simple, clear and assertive 2.Take your time 3.Be honest with what you do/do not know 4.Focus on a few aspects of the study

1-Apr-03 Remember to; 1.Revise content; re-check logic/clarity 2.Rehearse your delivery 3.Re-write (edit) in response to feedback for future presentations

1-Apr-03 QUESTIONS ?