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Ready. Set. Go!

Research posters done right.

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David Woodbury

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Today we will...

  • Go over the basics of research posters
    • Content
    • Charts
    • Graphics
  • Learn essential tools
  • Create a poster

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Find your source material

What is the most interesting or valuable finding from your research?

What is visually interesting about your research?

How will your presentation of the poster add interest?

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How to write content

Think short and concise (300-400 words as a goal)

Write professionally and appropriate to the audience

Don’t forget to cite

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Design

  • Text
    • Labels, Titles, Captions
  • Graphics/Photos
    • How many?
  • Charts
    • How do you display your data or results?

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Design Planning

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Text

  • Font and size
    • Readable from 3 feet away (85 pt for the title, 36–44 for the headers, and 24–34 for the body)
    • Limit the use of different font types (2)
  • Title
    • At the top with author information (name, position, affiliation)

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Text (continued)

  • Headings
    • Abstract
    • Background
    • Introduction
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Conclusions
    • Acknowledgements/References

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Graphics

  • Good ratio of graphics to text
  • Make sure to get images with good quality
  • Google has advanced search tools to help with this

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Charts

  • Create in PowerPoint or imported as an image
  • Chart elements
    • Title
    • Key
    • Legends
    • Axises
    • Data labels

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NCSU logos

https://brand.ncsu.edu/

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Research Poster Example

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Research Poster Example

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Research Poster Example

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Research Posters Example

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Research Poster Example

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Research Poster Example

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Presenting Your Poster

  • Know how you are hanging your poster
  • Dress professionally
  • Be prepared to do your “elevator pitch”
    • Who you are
    • What you are doing
    • Why it is important
    • How you did it
    • What were the results
  • Consider having handouts or business cards

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Options for Printing

  • On campus
    • D. H. Hill or Hunt Library

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/do/large-format-printing

    • Wolf Xpress in Talley
  • Off campus
    • FedEx
    • Sir Speedy
    • Alphagraphics
    • Spoonflower (fabric!)

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DIY -- go.ncsu.edu/researchposters

Create a poster using PowerPoint.

The poster should have these elements:

  • Size 48(w) x 36(h)
  • Title and headings
  • 2-3 images
  • 1 graph (if applicable)
  • 7 parts: Abstract, Background, Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions, Acknowledgements

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Using PowerPoint on a Mac

  • Open PowerPoint and use a blank, white template
  • Sizing your poster:
    • File > Page Setup > Change Width and Height
  • Background
    • Format > Slide Background

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Using PowerPoint on a Mac

  • Guides/Rulers
    • View > Guides > Static Guides
  • Columns
    • Insert > Textbox
  • Images
    • Insert > Photo > Photo Browser...
  • Charts
    • Insert > Chart

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Using PowerPoint on Windows

  • Open PowerPoint and use a blank, white template
  • Sizing your poster:
    • Design > Slide Size
  • Background
    • Design > Format Background

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Using PowerPoint on Windows

  • Gridlines
    • View > Gridlines
  • Columns
    • Insert > Textbox
  • Images
    • Insert > Pictures
  • Charts
    • Insert > Chart

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Get Expert Help

  • Walk-Up
  • Chat
  • Text
  • Phone
  • E-Mail
  • Consultations

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Questions?

David Woodbury

dnwoodbu@ncsu.edu

These slides will be available here:

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go.ncsu.edu/researchposters

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Helpful Resources

http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/news/five-keys-compelling-research-poster

http://hsp.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/ScientificPosters.pdf

http://guides.nyu.edu/posters

https://www.utexas.edu/ugs/our/poster

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