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Scientific Poster Help Session ��Friday, April 12, 3:00pm-4:30pm

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Agenda

The Role of Scientific Posters
Anatomy of a Scientific Poster
Engaging the Audience
Break and Individual Work time
PSU Research Week Poster Judging and Event Day
Printing Your Poster
Final Tips & Takeaways

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The Role of Scientific Posters

Bridge Between Research and Audience

Scientific posters serve as a visual bridge, summarizing complex research in an engaging way to connect with a diverse audience.

Highlight Key Discoveries and Ideas

They spotlight the main findings and breakthroughs, making the core of your research accessible and memorable.

Facilitate Academic Networking

Posters sessions encourage discussion, collaboration, and feedback by providing a platform for researchers to present their work and interact with peers and experts.

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Icebreaker

Share your research focus and what you hope to communicate through your poster.

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Anatomy of a Scientific Poster

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What do you think makes a scientific poster effective in communicating research?

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Essential Poster Components

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CONTENT OF A SCIENTIFIC POSTER

Title

An effective title should clearly communicate the subject of the poster. Keep the length of your title to 1 to 2 lines.

Abstract

An abstract is often not necessary, because a poster presents similar material as an abstract. Refer to the guidelines for your conference.

Introduction

Generate interest in your topic with a minimum of background detail and jargon.

Materials and Methods

Include a rationale for why you chose the methods you did and, if they would help, tables or figures.

Results

A summary of your results that tie back to your research question. Include key figures, graphs or tables.

Conclusions

Explain the significance of major findings. Connecting this study to previous research can help. This is also a chance to acknowledge unanswered questions.

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CONTENT OF A SCIENTIFIC POSTER cont.

References

Include only the essential references that have directly influenced your research or are from your lab's prior work.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledge individuals, organizations, or funding sources that supported your research.

Keep acknowledgments brief and focused; a simple thank you can suffice.

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Usually in smaller (but still visible!) text. You don’t need to verbally present them.

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Highlight the Main Research Finding

Concise Statement of Discovery

Craft a concise statement that captures the essence of your research or the main discovery. This is the heart of your poster and should be immediately noticeable.

Visual Emphasis Techniques

Use larger font sizes, bold text, or color highlights to make your main finding stand out. Positioning this statement toward the top and center ensures it catches the viewer's attention.

Engaging Your Audience

The goal is to spark interest and invite further questions. Your main finding is intriguing and accessible to a broad audience, including those outside your specific field.

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What if I don’t have results yet?

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Hypothesis

Focus on Hypothesis

Present a clear and engaging hypothesis that outlines the purpose and potential impact of your ongoing research.

Approach

Explain Your Approach

Discuss the methods and strategies you're using to explore your research question, emphasizing the innovative aspects of what you are doing.

Outcomes

Highlight Expected Outcomes

Share the potential significance and applications of your research, sparking interest in the anticipated results

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Your Research Story

Set the Scene:

Begin with the background of your study, setting the stage for the 'characters'—the hypothesis, methods, and findings.

Build Suspense:

Share the challenges and questions that drove your research, creating a buildup to your results.

Climax and Resolution:

Present your main findings as the climax of the story, followed by your conclusion, which resolves the research 'tale' and suggests future directions.

Relatable Characters:

Make your research relatable by connecting the story to real-world problems or by showing how it benefits or impacts society.

Visual Story Elements:

Use graphics, charts, and images to visually narrate and enhance the story of your research.

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Poster Size and Orientation

Size Check

Stick to the 36" x 48" guideline to fit within symposium displays—big enough for clear viewing, compact enough for easy handling.

Layout

Choose landscape for a wide, engaging view or portrait for a taller, impactful display. Consider your content's flow when deciding.

Design

Balance the arrangement of your content for maximum impact. Main figures or data are featured prominently in the center.

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Designing for Clarity and Accessibility

Background Choices

A white background enhances readability and focuses attention on your research findings.

Text Alignment

Aligning text to the left improves readability, guiding the viewer through your poster in a logical flow. Keep sentences short and paragraphs concise.

Accessibility

Utilize PowerPoint's built-in Accessibility Checker to ensure your poster is readable for most.

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Ensuring Poster Accessibility

Built-in Tools

Use Spelling and Grammar Check
If possible, utilize the Accessibility Checker in PowerPoint to identify and fix potential issues, ensuring your poster is accessible.

Contrast

Ensure high contrast between your text and background for better visibility.

PowerPoints' accessibility checker has an “Inspect Without Color” feature that is useful for checking this.

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Crafting Your Posters

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Content Crafting Part 1: Tips for Answering Key Research Questions

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Identify Your Main Finding (WHAT): Start by clarifying the most significant outcome of your research. What is the single most important thing you discovered or propose?

Expressing Significance (WHY): Answer why your finding matters. What implications does it have for your field or society?

Methodological Brief (HOW): Provide a snapshot of how you conducted your research. What methods did you use to arrive at your conclusion or develop your hypothesis?

Future Directions (WHAT’S NEXT): Suggest what comes next. How could your research be expanded or applied?

Be Concise and Clear: Aim for simplicity without losing the focus of your research. Avoid technical jargon and use layman's terms as much as possible.

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Content Crafting Part 2: Structuring Your Research Story

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Start with the Hook: Capture interest with a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement about your research's potential impact.

Background Context: Give a brief overview of the existing knowledge and where your research fits in. This sets the stage for your narrative.

Chronological Flow: Arrange your content to follow the narrative of your research – from the hypothesis, through the methodology, to the results and conclusions.

Balanced Detail: Provide enough information to be informative but not overwhelming. Use visuals like graphs and charts to convey complex data clearly.

Concluding Thoughts: End with the conclusion that ties back to your hook and emphasizes the value of your research.

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Break & Focus Time

Take a Moment: Short break to refresh, stretch, or grab a quick snack. Use this time to gather your thoughts and prepare for individual work.

Ask for Help: Facilitators are on hand to provide one-on-one support.

Whether it's a question about design, content, or just where to start, we're here to help!

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What approaches would you take to make your research accessible to a non-specialist audience?

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Printing Your Poster

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Poster Printing Guidelines & Scholarships

Poster Printing Period:

Available from April 9 to May 3 at the Digital Lab in Shattuck Hall, room 107.

Make sure your poster is ready for printing within these dates to utilize scholarship funds.

Scholarship Information:

Scholarships cover printing costs for all students presenting at SRS.

Limited to the student who submitted the PDXScholar proposal. In other words, you cannot send a co-author to print your poster.
Quantity Limit: One poster per student under scholarship. Additional copies are self-funded.

Printing Details:

Bring your ID and poster file on a USB stick to the lab for printing.

Printing is on a first-come, first-served basis; anticipate a 20-minute wait for large prints.

Evening hours might offer a quicker turnaround.

Poster Specifications:

Maximum Size: 36” x 48”, Note: Shattuck Hall printer width limit of 44"
Preferred File Formats: PDF, JPEG, or TIFF. Check that your file is scaled to 100% of the final size.
Paper Type: Heavyweight Matte covered by the scholarship. Other paper types at student's expense.

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Utilizing Campus Printing Services

Accessing the Digital Lab

Location: Shattuck Hall, room 107. Check the Digital Facilities Website for lab hours.
Only the student who submitted the PDXScholar proposal can print the poster.

Tips for a Smooth Printing Experience

Prepare for possible wait times, especially for large print jobs.
Evening printing may reduce wait time.

Additional Poster Printing Notes

Scholarships apply only to posters printed at Shattuck Hall 107.
Posters printed elsewhere need to be funded by the student.

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Judging Criteria Overview

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PSU Research Week Poster Judging Criteria

Research Problem: Ensure your poster clearly states the research question and shows your understanding of the topic's existing knowledge.
Scientific Creativity and Originality: Highlight your unique contribution to the research field and your project's innovation.
Methodology and Results: Present your research design and methods clearly, emphasizing how your approach leads to your findings.
Communicating Results: Focus on making your findings accessible to non-specialists, using effective visuals and clear language.

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How to Prepare for Poster Judging:

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Anticipate Questions:

Be ready to discuss your research problem, your role in the project, your research design, and any creative aspects of your work.

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Utilize Your Visuals:

Use your poster's design as a visual aid to organize and tell your story.

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Practice Your Presentation:

Rehearse explaining your poster to others, focusing on clarity and enthusiasm to make a strong impression on judges.

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Day of Event Preparation

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Event Instructions

Mount Your Poster:

Be at Smith Ballroom (room 355) between 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. to mount your poster. Check your email for your unique poster number.

Presentation Time:

Ensure you are at your poster board from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for the judging session.

Award Eligibility:

Posters must be displayed from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Posters not displayed during this time may not be eligible for awards.

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Final Checklist for Symposium Day

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Verify Poster Number: Before the event, your poster number will sent to you via email.

Visit Registration Desk: Upon arrival, visit the Registration Desk in Smith Ballroom (room 355) for directions to your display location.

Materials for Hanging: Materials to hang your poster will be provided at the venue. Ensure your poster is securely mounted.

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What are the key takeaways from today’s session that you plan to apply when designing your poster?

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Thank you

Shandee Dixon, PhD

Shandee@pdx.edu

Center for Internship, Mentoring and Research (CIMR)

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