PREPARING EFFECTIVE PREPARING EFFECTIVE POSTERSPOSTERS

Anamaris M. Colberg-Poley, Ph.D.Anamaris M. Colberg-Poley, Ph.D.Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics and

Biochemistry/Molecular BiologyBiochemistry/Molecular BiologyCRI and GWUCRI and GWU

The Purpose of Poster PresentationsThe Purpose of Poster Presentations

-Present your research in an interesting and -Present your research in an interesting and easily assimilated manner to colleagueseasily assimilated manner to colleagues (Possible Residency or Fellowship Programs, Journal (Possible Residency or Fellowship Programs, Journal reviewers or NIH Study Section members)reviewers or NIH Study Section members)

-Get exposure: draw attention to your -Get exposure: draw attention to your workwork

-Get feedback and suggestions before -Get feedback and suggestions before submission for publicationsubmission for publication

-You are the best advocate for your work!-You are the best advocate for your work!

How can we effectively present How can we effectively present complex research problems?complex research problems?

-Simplify project to make it understandable, -Simplify project to make it understandable, viewers will typically spend a few minutes at a viewers will typically spend a few minutes at a poster poster -Give a conceptual framework-Give a conceptual framework-Use models to convey complexity or multiple -Use models to convey complexity or multiple factorsfactors-Give concise “take home” conclusion-Give concise “take home” conclusion

Title BannerTitle Banner• Should be large and prominentShould be large and prominent• Should state the main conceptual conclusion from Should state the main conceptual conclusion from

your studies your studies • Authors:Authors: All authors should have contributed All authors should have contributed

substantially to the researchsubstantially to the research• List AffiliationList Affiliation for each author for each author• Include Include Institution logoInstitution logo for sponsoring for sponsoring

institution(s)institution(s)

KeyKey Poster Elements Poster Elements

Key ElementsKey Elements

Abstract:Abstract:

-What you submit to the meeting-What you submit to the meeting

-Summarizes your findings for the meeting-Summarizes your findings for the meeting

-Important: published in the proceedings of -Important: published in the proceedings of the meetingsthe meetings

-Based upon Abstracts, the selection for -Based upon Abstracts, the selection for type type of presentation (poster or platform) is of presentation (poster or platform) is mademade

KeyKey Poster Elements (cont.) Poster Elements (cont.)

• Abstract:Abstract:

-Make simple enough to be understood by -Make simple enough to be understood by someone outside of your immediate fieldsomeone outside of your immediate field-Focus on the major findings-Focus on the major findings-State a clear conclusion-State a clear conclusion-Have it proof-read for clarity and language usage -Have it proof-read for clarity and language usage by scientific colleaguesby scientific colleagues

AbstractAbstract

Practical Points: Practical Points:

-Follow instructions for meeting format and -Follow instructions for meeting format and submissionsubmission

-Minimize the use of jargon in text-Minimize the use of jargon in text

-Poster abstract should be the same as -Poster abstract should be the same as previously submitted to meeting except for previously submitted to meeting except for any minor correctionsany minor corrections

Key Elements (cont.)Key Elements (cont.)

IntroductionIntroduction • Familiarize your audience with your fieldFamiliarize your audience with your field

-What is the context of your studies?-What is the context of your studies?-Include only necessary background for the reader to understand your research-List major references in the field and check for recent publications

• What is the problem? State your hypothesisWhat is the problem? State your hypothesis• Why is it important?Why is it important? Give the significance of Give the significance of

your workyour work

Key Poster Elements (cont.)Key Poster Elements (cont.)

-Materials and Methods: -Materials and Methods:

• How did you experimentally test the How did you experimentally test the hypothesis?hypothesis?

--Describe very briefly-When possible, cite published

references for techniques

-Not necessary in all cases, especially if all procedures are previously

published

Key ElementsKey Elements

• ResultsResults

What are your What are your MAJORMAJOR findings? findings?-Present the results carefully and succinctly -Show as figures or tables-Legends should be minimal-Legends should be minimal-Compare results using one technique to -Compare results using one technique to those those using othersusing others-Avoid a Common Mistake: Do not present too many results

Key ElementsKey Elements

• ResultsResults

-Include controls to show specificity -Use statistics to verify validity of findings-Do not over-interpret results-Do not emphasize techniques, rather the insight or conclusions gleaned from the results

Key Poster Elements (cont.)Key Poster Elements (cont.)

Overview of Key ElementsOverview of Key Elements• Conclusions: Conclusions:

This is take home message!This is take home message!

-What do your findings mean to your field? -What do your findings mean to your field?

-Give insight or advances to field-Give insight or advances to field

-Give punch line-Give punch line

-Be Concise, don’t run on…..

-Simple declarative conclusions

-Must be warranted

-No need to use complete sentences-No need to use complete sentences

Bullets are effective to highlight pointsBullets are effective to highlight points

• Literature Cited Literature Cited – If cited papers in text, give referencesIf cited papers in text, give references

• AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments– Include any External (NIH, DOD, FDA,

Foundation, Donation) Funding – Include any Institutional Support (Discovery,

RAC, BV)

Key Elements (cont.)Key Elements (cont.)

Sound Research ComponentsSound Research Components

• Presented research: – Should address stated, testable hypothesis

– Can be preliminary, and need to verify prior to publication

– Should be reproducible

– Should be compelling

• Conclusions should be warranted– Clearly stated in the summary

– Don’t over-interpret results

Good PracticesGood Practices• LayoutLayout– Layout attracts viewers– Contents keep them – Make your message clear, think carefully of the

text and layout before you present– Be conciseBe concise in poster text to make readable– Text and figures should be readily visible from

5-10 feet away (Reviewer friendly)– Highlight major findings • (e.g. with bullet points and large font)

–Make eye contact

– Listen to questions

–Answer questions carefully

– If you don’t know, offer to look up and get back to them

–Write down questions you couldn’t answer

Good PracticesGood Practices

Good PracticesGood Practices

• When presenting the poster– Stand by the poster and offer to explain

– Engage the participants, but don’t force attention on the viewers

–Offer to succinctly present and walk them through the results

–Give highlights but include details when asked

• If you have reprints, place at bottom of If you have reprints, place at bottom of poster for distribution poster for distribution

• Have an experienced colleague (not co-author) review poster before finalizing

• Practice the presentation with a colleague

• Allow sufficient time for proof-reading, editing and printing

Good PracticesGood Practices

Good Practices, on the practical sideGood Practices, on the practical side

• Follow Meeting Guidelines for Poster PreparationFollow Meeting Guidelines for Poster Preparation

– Check the meeting instructions about size and format of Check the meeting instructions about size and format of posterposter• Wide posters: usually 4 ft high x 6 ft wideWide posters: usually 4 ft high x 6 ft wide

• Tall posters: can be 6 ft high x 4 ft wideTall posters: can be 6 ft high x 4 ft wide

– Best option: use printed posters Best option: use printed posters

– Attached by Velcro or push pins, usually providedAttached by Velcro or push pins, usually provided

– Observe posting times (when to put up/pull down)Observe posting times (when to put up/pull down)

– Times to present the posterTimes to present the poster

– Transporting poster, roll into a cylinderTransporting poster, roll into a cylinder