Poster Presentation Guidelines and Format
For Data Collection Projects
The guidelines and formats presented in this document have been developed for independent study
projects that entailed some form of data collection and followed a more empirical approach to their
research project. Projects that are based on the development of business plans or program
development should follow the guidelines that have been developed specifically for that track of
independent study projects.
This document outlines the major sections of the poster presentation and provides a brief synopsis of
the content that should be presented within each section. In addition, the document outlines the
schedule, requirements of the student, and the evaluation process for the poster presentation. The last
section of the document outlines some general guidelines and suggestions for the format and
presentation of the poster.
Sections of the Poster:
The major sections of the poster should include: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results,
and Discussion. Listed below are the suggested content guidelines for each section.
Title. The title of the poster should include the title of the student’s research project as well as
his or her name and the name of the department and program with which the student is affiliated.
Abstract. The abstract is a short informative and descriptive summary of your research project. The
abstract should be written after the research project is completed, although it is intended to be read
first. The abstract should be descriptive and as such should identify the statement of purpose and scope
of the research project. The scope of the research project is defined by a brief synopsis of the major
limitations and delimitations of the problem. In addition, the abstract should also be informative and
summarize the entire research project, giving the reader an overview of the methods, findings, and
conclusions of your study. The abstract must, however, be short in length and should not exceed 1 to 2
paragraphs. In total, the abstract should not exceed 400 words. The abstract should be followed by a
list of 3 to 5 key words that would be used to describe and index the research project. Copies (30) of
the abstract should be available for individuals attending the poster session. PEHE students are not
required to have the abstract on the poster itself.
Introduction. The introduction should include clear statements about the research question or
problem that you studied. The introduction should also provide the reader with a synopsis of the key
research studies that were used as the foundation for your study or those studies that provide the
theoretical grounding for your study. The introduction should then end with a clear statement the
purpose of your research study.
Method. This section should explain procedures and the methods that you completed within your
study. Be sure to describe your participants, measurements, and, any treatments, training sessions, or
protocols that were followed with the scope of your research. Your method section should end with a
description of any data analysis that was carried out.
Results. The results section is where you will describe the main findings from your research study.
You may feel free to use tables, charts, and figures to illustrate your results. Be sure to include the
findings from all your analysis of data.
Discussion. The discussion section is where you put the findings from your study in perspective. In
this section, you should present the findings of your study in layperson’s terms and relate the findings
to other studies that were reviewed within the context of your project. In addition, within this section
you should discuss how your finding could be applied to practitioners within your field. This section
should end with some suggestions for future research. These suggestions should contain your
recommendations and thoughts about how your study could be expanded; other tests that could be
applied, what other samples could be studied, etc.
Schedule and Student Requirements
Students must have completed the independent study project prior to participating in a poster
presentation session. The poster presentations will be scheduled once a semester and established dates
for the session(s) will be announced at the beginning of each academic year. In general, the sessions
will be scheduled within the last 3 weeks of the fall and spring semesters and once during the summer
session. The student will be responsible for the creation of the poster and will assume all costs
associated with the creation of the poster. Posters may be no larger than 36” x 60”. For suggestions
on design and layout of your poster refer to the Guidelines and Suggestions for Posters. Students will
be assigned a table or presentation space and will be expected to have their poster set up 1 hour prior
to the poster session for faculty members to review. In addition, students must be in attendance at
their poster for the entire time period of the poster session (2 hours). Finally, students are expected to
remove all materials associated with their poster at the end of the poster session.
Evaluation of Poster Presentation
Two faculty members will use the assessment rubric at the end of this document to evaluate
your poster presentation. One of the faculty members will be a member of the department that
sponsors your program of study and the second faculty member will come from outside your
department. In evaluating your poster presentation, the faculty will not only evaluate the content of
your poster, but will also evaluate your ability to respond to questions about your poster. In order to
pass the poster presentation requirement you must be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of
your topic area and research study in your responses to inquiries from faculty and other poster session
attendees.
In order to complete the independent study and research requirements for your program you
must receive a passing grade on the poster presentation. A passing grade is defined as an average
rating of 4.0 on the assessment rubric. Should a student fail the poster session, he or she will be
allowed to repeat the poster presentation during the next or any subsequently scheduled poster
presentation. Additional poster sessions will not be scheduled for students who fail the poster
presentation and the student must wait for the next scheduled poster session to repeat the poster
presentation. Should a student not pass the poster presentation on their second attempt, no further
attempts will be allowed. Thus the student will have failed the research requirement for his or her
program and will not be eligible for graduation.
A student’s grade for his or her independent study project is contingent upon passing the poster
presentation. The evaluation of the poster will be shared with the student and the student’s advisor.
Once a student has passed the poster presentation requirement, the grade for his or her independent
study will be determined following the guidelines established by his or her department or program.
While the evaluation of the poster presentation is designed to be independent of the evaluation of the
independent study project, advisors may wish to consider the evaluation of the poster session in the
determination of the final grade of the student on his or her independent study project.
Poster Presentation Session - Evaluation Instrument
Presentation Title:
Presenter:
Date:
Degree:
Advisor:
Directions: Rate the presentation by recording a number from the numerical scale (listed below) in the box adjacent to
the weight column. Each criterion is weighted. Students must earn an average of 4.0 in order to pass. Include specific
categorical comments in the right column.
+
1
1+
2
2+
3
3+
4
4+
5
Incomplete
Poor
Average
Good
Excellent
1. Abstract (6)
Weight Rating Score/Comments
Includes a complete description of the study: overview of purpose,
methods, findings, and conclusions)
6
2. Introduction (10)
Provides a clear statement of the research project
3
Provides a synopsis of key research studies
7
3. Method (9)
Describes participants, measurements, procedures
4
Describes and signifies the importance of how data were analyzed
5
4. Results (10)
Complete description of major findings from the study
7
Appropriate representation of data using and displaying appropriate
quotes, tables, graphs and figures
3
5. Discussion (20)
Conclusions of study are accurate and well articulated
6
Relates findings to studies in the literature review
5
Provides applications of results of study for practitioner
6
Provides suggestions for further research
3
6. Overall Visual Assessment of the Poster (10)
Well-organized: sequential and logical progression
5
Appropriate design, layout, and grammatical usage
5
7. Presentation and Communication Style (35)
Professional appearance and dress
4
Ability to answer questions precisely, succinctly and accurately
8
Ability to describe the key research study elements
6
Ability to discuss the strength and weakness of the research study
9
Ability to demonstrate discipline knowledge of research topic
8
Total Score
Evaluator: ______________________________________________ Date: _____________