CREATING & PRESENTING
RESEARCH POSTERS
Liza Ware
June 26, 2013
Viterbo University Summer Research Brownbag
SAMPLE POSTER
SAMPLE POSTER
WHAT IS A POSTER SESSION LIKE?
PRELIMINARY STEPS
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Determine size and any other requirements
Should be available on conference website
 Size may also be determined by printer
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Viterbo poster form:
http://www.viterbo.edu/copycenter.aspx?ekfrm=3286
Outline content you want to include
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Introduction/Background
Method
Results
Discussion/Conclusions
References
CREATING THE POSTER FILE
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PowerPoint or Publisher
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Sizing
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Fit poster on a single slide.
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IDC SRCD poster - generics - April 2013.pptx
To size slide: Design tab  Page Setup  Choose
Custom and specify dimensions.
Add content
Make poster flow: L-to-R; top-to-bottom
 Use visual aids: pictures, graphs, tables, bullets,
columns, etc.
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FONT TYPE AND SIZE
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Should be easily readable from 3-6’
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Vary sizes across different text levels
Title should be at least 48-pt
 Headings at least 30-pt
 Main body no smaller than 24-pt
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Type
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Arial, Palatino, Calibri are all good choices
Nothing that is too difficult to read
WHAT AMOUNT OF TEXT IS APPROPRIATE?
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“Less is more and more is a bore”
(Dunn, 2011, p. 198)
Keep it brief!!!
 Using bulleted lists is acceptable and
recommended.
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Incomplete sentences can be used in some cases
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E.g., Method & Results – see sample posters
However, should be detailed enough for someone
outside of the class/field to understand.
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E.g., define terms as needed
USE VISUAL AIDS TO ORGANIZE
INFORMATION
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A good poster uses visual and graphic displays to
present information
E.g., shapes, tables, flow charts
 Use sub-headings as appropriate
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Don’t overdo it!
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Visuals should have a purpose
Make it interesting, but not too busy or colorful.
 Use colors that are appealing, not distracting
or difficult to look at.
 Stick to the same color scheme throughout.
EXAMPLES OF BAD POSTERS
“What Makes a Good Research Poster”
(tamuwritingcenter)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYOPbQlBVK
M
 (0:44 – 3:40)
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USE HELPFUL TOOLS IN
POWERPOINT/PUBLISHER TO HELP YOU
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Background: Right-click on slide  Format
background  Choose fill color
Display Grid and Guides: Right-click on slide  Grid
and Guides  Choose preferred options
Display Ruler: View tab  Ruler option
Arrange/Align items : Select items to be arranged /
aligned  Format tab  Align  Select preferred
option
Insert textboxes, shapes, pictures, etc.: Insert tab.
You can then change the color, size, etc. when you
click on them and go to Format.
Zooming In/Out: Bottom right corner of screen 
Select to zoom in on one section while working on it or
click on ‘Fit Slide to Window’ button to see the whole
poster.
FINALIZING POSTER
Spell check!
 Double-check placement, alignment, etc.
 Save in PDF format to send to printer.
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Double-check PDF file first!
PRESENTING THE POSTER
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When people approach your poster,
they might read it, talk to you, or just
walk away.
Different people have different
interests; don’t be offended if
someone walks away.
 When someone stops to read it, give
them a minute and then say, “Let me
know if you have any questions.”
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Be prepared to briefly present poster
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People often want you to tell them
about it instead of reading.
Be prepared to summarize it in 2-3
minutes.
Focus on main points.
Use non-technical terms or define as
needed.
Use poster as a visual guide (e.g.,
point to sections as you talk about
them).
Practice ahead of time!
FIELDING QUESTIONS
Stop and think before answering
 What if you don’t know the answer?!
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Do your best to answer it.
 Remember, it is okay to say that you don’t know the
answer!
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Don’t get defensive!
Someone challenging your arguments is part of the
scholarly process
 Be willing to consider new ideas.
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DON’T FORGET…
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...to be enthusiastic! If you find the topic
interesting, so will your audience!