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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
A poster presentation comes in many different forms today. This page addresses the details of a more formal, research-based presentation of your work.  A poster presentation provides a visual representation of your work (for example, a clinical case study, a newly developed program or a scientific study) through text, charts, graphs, and other visual aids.  
A poster presentation comes in many different forms. It visually represents a clinical case study, a newly developed programme or a scientific study through text, charts, graphs, and other visual aids. A poster presentation allows viewers and knowledge users to read research material at their leisure and to interact with a presenter by asking questions about the methods or critical findings of the research.<ref>Soon CSL, Tudor Car L, Ng CJ, Tan NC, Smith H. What Is the Utility of Posters? [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9631582/pdf/40670_2022_Article_1657.pdf Qualitative Study of Participants at a Regional Primary Healthcare Conference in Asia.] Med Sci Educ. 2022 Nov 3;32(6):1405-1412</ref> Research posters summarise information concisely and attractively to help publicise it and generate discussion. This page addresses the process of developing a formal, research-based poster presentation. It can be used as a reference guide in all poster presentation projects.
A poster presentation allows viewers and knowledge users to read your research material at their own leisure and to interact with you—perhaps asking questions about your methods or your key findings. (2)
Posters range in size, and you can usually present your poster arranged in a portrait or landscape orientation.  Posters can also be in-person or presented virtually.
To start with, your poster should start a conversation.
A poster is not a wall-mounted essay, but more of a colourful abstract. Your poster aims to grab the attention of your audience, which in turn will generate interest in your area of work.  Research posters summarise information or your work concisely and attractively to help publicise it and generate discussion.
 
Please note for the purpose of this page,  an academic poster, scientific poster, or clinical poster are all referred to as a poster presentation.  These terms are used synonymously.
 
'''When developing your poster presentation, answer these three questions:'''
 
# What is the most important/interesting/astounding finding from my research project?
# How can I visually share my research with conference attendees? Should I use charts, graphs, photos, or images?
# What kind of information can I convey during my talk that will complement my poster?
 
 
'''Why are you creating a poster presentation?'''
 
* There are a number of reasons why you might create a poster and being clear about your audience and purpose is the first thing to consider.
* It might be a requirement of your degree programme or clinical placement.
* You may aim to present your research findings at an academic conference.
* Perhaps you are part of a public engagement event and want to express complex material in an accessible way for a non-specialist audience.  
 
'''Define what you want your poster to do, for example:'''
 
* To help others learn something about your work.
* To introduce a new and interesting perspective on a topic.
* Present a clinical case or the development of a new programme. 
* Engage with colleagues, share ideas and network. 
* To help you gain experience with openly communicating and talking about your work, in a precise way. 
 
'''Why are poster presentations important?'''
 
Because it represents: you, your work, your research or clinical supervisors, your team and laboratory, your sponsors and, most of all, they highlight the importance of your topic. Moreover, they:
 
* Demonstrate expertise
* Demonstrate attention to detail
* Allow you to practicse public speaking
* Learn and share about the most current results in your field 
* Deepens the understanding of a topic 
* Opportunity for teaching and learning
* Share ideas
* Create collaborations and build your network
* Most importantly - it gives you a professional experience.
 
'''Where will you find poster presentations?''' 
 
* Conferences 
* Symposia
* Hallways
* Informational Days
* Team meetings
* Digital conferences or meetings
 
== How to submit a poster presentation ==
 
=== Step One: Identify a conference, event or meeting that interests you, where you can showcase your work. ===
 
=== Step Two:  Planning your presentation ===
The first step to preparing a poster for a conference is to know exactly what message you want to convey in your poster. You may want to report a case study, describe a new program or report your findings from a systematic review or study. You may have some research findings to report or even a research protocol of an intended future project.
 
=== Step Three: Writing an abstract ===
Many conferences or events require you to present your work initially in the form of an abstract.  This will help the organisers judge the merit of your presentation and assign a presentation format to your submission (for example, a symposium, guided discussion, podium presentation, poster presentation or e-poster).
 
An abstract is in essence a short summary of your work. Typically there will be instructions concerning the abstract structure (whether you should use sub-headings, font type, font size, word count etc). The most important quality of the abstract is that it is clear and concise. You will want to include the most important details concerning your work but it is often best to avoid including fine details in the abstract. As with all academic styles of writing, statements requiring references within the abstract must be referenced but it is advisable to limit the need for references in the abstract.
 
==== An example of a typical abstract structure: ====
'''Title:''' This should be clear and concise, eye-catching and punchy. 
 
'''Background:''' This section needs to use only the key background literature to provide context for the subsequent work reported.
 
'''Aims/purpose:''' This needs to clearly give the reader an impression of the aim/purpose of the research and what they should expect to learn from reading the poster.
 
'''Methods:''' Key information regarding the methods used/proposed to be used should be highlighted here. Typically this would include some mention of the participants involved (the sample), equipment and procedures and timescales over which the study took place.
 
'''Results:''' The key results are often presented in this section. Statistical support is preferred where possible but endless lists of mean values and associated p-values should be avoided. Be selective and make sense that the results selected for presentation fit well with the general story conveyed within the abstract as a whole.
Conclusion: This section is used to wrap up the story, to convey the most important interpretation of the results and to make any important suggestions for relevance to the field or further work that now needs to be carried out. Avoid finishing with ‘further research is now required’ as often this is obvious and superfluous to the overall story.
Word count = Typically 250 -300 words
Your abstract will help you highlight the most important aspects of your work and also help you plan your poster presentation.
 
 
 
Step Four: Designing your poster
Further information about designing your poster can be found below on this page.
 
 
Step Five: Printing your poster
The final step is to print out your poster. This step should be considered almost as soon as you think about designing the poster, as it is important to be aware of printing timescales.  Contact your local printing service to get an idea of their turnaround time.  Your chosen printer could offer a same day service or could take in excess of a week to turn around if busy or if the poster needs to be sent off site for purposes such as lamination. The weight of the paper will determine how expensive the print is but also how robust the poster is to travel (the thicker, the more robust). Lamination serves as an additional protective layer to the poster, typically increasing the lifespan of your poster, making it more resistant to rain but also making it heavier to transport and more expensive. You can also consider a fabric poster which is easier to transport and hang up.  Fabric posters can be more expensive that paper posters.
 
 
How to design your poster presentation
 
Take your time to conceptualise your poster.  What are your key headings? What graphs or images do you want to include? What colour scheme will you choose?
 
There are many examples of poster presentations online.  Take some time to review different designs to decide your tastes and what elements you would like to include in your own design.
 
Prior to finalising your poster, it is important to ask as many senior colleagues for feedback on your poster as possible. They will be able to provide feedback on the overall readability of the poster, including formatting.  Start preparing your poster early in the process, one month is sufficient time to allow for revisions to be made. 
 
It is always prudent to submit your poster to a conference a few days before the deadline, incase they experience technical difficulties with everyone trying to submit their proofs at the same time.  Often conferences will require a PDF copy of your poster ahead of time, in addition to the printed poster for the in-person event.  
 
Key Elements
 
Title
All authors
Affiliations
Headings
Introduction/background
Methods
Results
Conclusions
References
 
Other information to mention in the bottom corner (usually in a smaller font):
 
Type of manuscript (if published work)
Funding
Ethical approval
QR code to your research or professional website (for example: LinkedIn, ResearchGate etc).  
 
Poster Design
 
The most important concept for the overall design is not to overly embellish the poster with formatting and pictures, as this may distract from the content. The information should be minimal, as in a slide presentation, stating only key points rather than complete sentences.
 
Font size: The conference or event may specify this; however, generally, for the main body, size 24-48 pts, is used for text and size 72-120 pts for titles.
 
Types of the font: Use a sans serif font (such as Arial) as these are much easier to read. It can be effective to use a different typeface for headings and subheadings.  Helpful hint: If you print your poster on a standard sheet of paper, you should be able to read all of it - including text in figures - comfortably. If you can't, your text is too small.
 
Your poster must be legible from a distance; you should be able to read your smallest text from a meter away easily. The main poster title needs to be readable from about 5 metres away.
Text justified to the left is easier to read. Another tip is not to have your line spacing too close; use one-and-a-half or double spacing. It’s best to avoid italic text, as it is more difficult to read and less accessible. If you want to emphasise a point or suggest importance, use bold or change the font size instead.
Suggested Font Sizes by Section
Title: 72-120 pt.
Subtitle: 48-80 pt.
Section headers: 36-72 pt.
Body text: 24-48 pt.
 
Font should be legible fonts like: • Times New Roman • Arial • Garamond • Berkeley UC Davis Medium
 
Do not use illegible fonts like: • Brush Script • Use the same font throughout your poster • You should not use less than 16 pt. Font
Logos:
Remember to advertise your institution or your affiliations.  Always include your clinic, university, or funding logos, for example.  Use high-quality images.  Ask your institution for  a high quality image, preferably without a background.  Do not simply cut and paste a logo from the internet, there is a high probability that the image will be poor quality, low resolution and will be pixelated once printed.
Poor quality  images will make your poster look poor quality too. You will be judged on your attention to detail.
 
Colour: It is a good idea to stick to one or two colours for main text; anymore and your poster may look too busy. It is also important to check colours in advance at the place you wish to print your poster, as certain colours may come out in a different way to that expected.
 
Selecting colours from a colour wheel to produce a harmonious effect can help increase readability. The three main palettes to look at are: Complimentary, Monochromatic, and Analogous.
 
Now let's move towards another important element to consider - your choice of colour.  This is not simply about your personal preferences, but what will be the most professional and best representation of your work.
 
Colour: The use of colour  - Selecting colours from a colour wheel to produce a harmonious effect can help increase readability.
The three main palettes to look at are: Complimentary, Monochromatic, and Analogous.
Complementary: Complementary colours are two colors that are on opposite sides of the colour wheel, for example: yellow and purple, blue and orange, red and green. One other thing you may notice is that a pair of complementary colours are made up of one cool colour and one warm colour. Simultaneous contrast occurs due to a natural illusion when you place two complementary colours next to one another. Both colours will appear brighter and grab a viewer's attention.
 
[image complementary colour wheel]
Monochromatic: Monochrome means one colour. Monochrome colours are all the varieties of a single hue - including different tints, shades, and tones. A monochromatic colour scheme will range between lighter and darker versions of the base colour or hue.  For example, using green as your primary colour, and employing various shades of green on your poster to create different sections, shadings and effects.  A monochromatic design is perfect for creating visual cohesion. PAUSE
 
[image monochromastic colour wheel]
 
Analogous:  Analogous colour palettes create designs that are incredibly harmonious and easy to look at. Colours on an analogous wheel are like next to each other on the wheel, for example: such as blue, blue-green, and green. They usually match well and create comfortable designs.  Analogous colour schemes are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. So this is something to think about when you’re designing your poster.  PAUSE
 
 
[image analogous colour wheel]
 
It is a good idea to stick to one or two colours for the main text; any more and your poster may look too busy. It is also important to check colours in advance at the place you wish to print your poster, as certain colours may come out differently than expected.
 
If you want to learn more about colour theory, take a look at different design websites or YouTube videos.  See what you find visually appealing, and perhaps less appealing. Take your time to plan your design.  Your colour choices will be fundamental to the impact of your poster.
 
Use the following elements to build a contrast and build your poster
Size
Position
Colour
Texture (ie dots in your graphs)
Shape (of your text boxes for example)
Orientation
Images
​​Images Try to keep your graphs/ images and figures above 13cm x 15 cm. This is a good size relative to the size of an A0 sheet and will enable your images and graphics to be seen clearly. Your graphic elements should be relevant to the subject matter, clear, to the point, and attractive.
Also, it can be a good idea to crop your image.  Make it easy for your audience to understand WHY you included an image.
Do not include images as fillers.  Every element should be purposeful.
Image File Types There are many types of digital image, and each of them have attributes which make them the best format for the job. The most suitable image format for poster creation is a high resolution JPEG (.jpg) file. The advantage of using this format is that you get a high quality image with a relatively small file size. Resolution
Resolution (in relation to digital imagery) is the number of pixels per square inch on a computer screen. The higher this number is, the greater the quality of the picture. Use images with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI). This will give you greater flexibility when resizing your images on the poster. Avoid low resolution images from web pages. They can appear clean and in focus on the screen, but when printed large will look soft and pixellated.
Captions:
In graphics where the meaning isn’t immediately obvious, It is good practice to provide a caption that is short and to the point underneath the image.
Graphs:
Graphs should be clean and simple to understand but most importantly show any relationships as clearly as possible. All text on the graph needs to be clear and concise, and must follow the same text styles as the rest of the poster.
Clearly titled axes and ticks
• No gridlines to detract from the plotted points
• Clear plot lines
• A clearly defined legend
• A short clear title
 


How to decide what information should be on your poster?
== General Guidelines ==
If you are struggling with what you should include in your poster, try the MosCow method.  
An academic, scientific, or clinical poster is called a poster presentation; these terms can be synonyms. Posters range in size and can be arranged in a portrait or landscape orientation. It can also be in-person or presented virtually.  
MoSCoW method.


If you have a lot of text and you are struggling to prioritise what to include, try the MoSCoW technique. With the point of your poster in mind, organise the text into these categories:
The following are the general rules applied to a poster presentation:
Must have
Should have
Could have
Won’t have.


You could divide a blank page up into these four categories to help decide the importance of your information.
* it should start a conversation.
* it is a colourful abstract, not a wall-mounted essay
* it aims to grab the attention of the audience, which in turn will generate interest in the area of the work it covers
* research posters should help publicise research and generate discussion.


You can immediately remove the text that you categorise as “won’t have”, but also leave out “could have”, and really question what is in “should have”. “Must have” is the only category of information that definitely needs to go on a poster.
== Building a Poster Presentation ==


Printing your poster
=== The Aims ===
When developing a poster presentation, the author must answer the following three questions.


Common programs and software to design your poster include:
# What is the most important/exciting/astounding finding from the research project?
# What is the best way to visually share the research with conference attendees? Should charts, graphs, photos, or images be used?
# What is the focus of the talk that will complement the poster?


Microsoft PowerPoint
=== Steps in Creating a Poster Presentation ===
Microsoft Publisher
Canva
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Photoshop
After Effects
Impress
Picktochart
LucidPress


* '''Choose''' '''the audience''' and the purpose of the presentation. The presentation could be:
** a requirement of the degree programme or clinical placement
** a presentation of the research findings at an academic conference
** an expression of complex material in an accessible way for a non-specialist audience


Standard academic poster sizes are: A0 (841x1189mm), A1 (594x841mm) and A2 (420x594mm), but posters  can be produced to any size up to 1250mm wide and as long as 15 metres.
* '''Define the purpose''' of the poster. It may include the following:  
** to help others learn something about your work
** to introduce a new and interesting perspective on a topic
** to present a clinical case or the development of a new programme
** to engage with colleagues, share ideas and network
** to help the presenter gain experience to openly communicate and talk about their work and research


What makes an “excellent” poster?
* '''Conceptualise the poster:'''
** key headings
** graphs or images
** colour scheme


Important information should be readable from about 1 meter away
* '''Ask for feedback''' before finishing the poster. The feedback should focus on the following elements:
Title is short and draws interest
** readability of the poster
Word count of about 500 to 1000 words total, roughly 100 words per main section
** formatting
The text is clear and to the point
Use of bullets, numbering, and headlines make it easy to read
Make effective use of graphics, colour and fonts
Have a consistent and clean layout (do not overcrowd your poster)
Includes acknowledgements, your name and institutional affiliations


* ''' Submit the poster:'''
** submit a few days before the deadline
** a PDF copy of the poster may be required ahead of the scheduled event


Common Mistakes (1)
=== Key Elements of Building a Poster ===


Showing the same intricate multipart figures that you used in a research paper
==== The MoSCoW Method ====
Have too much text (and in a font size too small
The MoSCoW technique helps prioritise the requirements for a specific project.<ref>Kravchenko T, Bogdanova T, Shevgunov T. Ranking requirements using MoSCoW methodology in practice. InCybernetics Perspectives in Systems: Proceedings of 11th Computer Science On-line Conference 2022, Vol. 3 2022 Jul 5 (pp. 188-199). Cham: Springer International Publishing.</ref> It offers project predictability and helps ensure there are no "white spaces" in the plan.<ref>Miranda E. Moscow rules A quantitative exposé. InAgile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming: 23rd International Conference on Agile Software Development, XP 2022, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 13–17, 2022, Proceedings 2022 Jun 9 (pp. 19-34). Cham: Springer International Publishing.</ref>
Objective/main point is not instantly obvious.
Poor quality graphics (Use blurry images copied from the Internet)
Poorly organised poster components.  
Jagged edges, chaotic or untidy impression.  
Too much colour (Remember that some individuals are colour-blind)
A dark or black background for your poster.  


E-Posters (online presentations)
The MoSCow method can help presenters prioritise and decide which elements to include in a poster presentation.
* Divide a blank page into the following four categories to help decide the importance of information and organise the poster presentation according to the results received.
*# Must have
*# Should have
*# Could have
*# Won’t have


A growing number of conferences and meetings are using electronic posters (e-posters), which are screens that display an electronic copy of your poster, rather than a paper version. These can either be static images which are laid out similarly to a paper poster, or they can be slideshows of your work, which are displayed like a PowerPoint presentation which then go on rotation at the conference. They may also include videos and animations, so bear this in mind when you are selecting content for your poster. (6, 7, 8)
* The texts categorised as “won’t have” and “could have” can be immediately removed
* “Should have” requires further assessment
* Only information categorised as “must have” definitively needs to go on the poster


E-poster presentation provides a good learning opportunity to the upcoming medical graduates. Through electronic display, research work presentation is more meaningful, which is in line with a recent study conducted with nursing students stating that e-posters provided more learning opportunities.[3,4]
==== Headings ====
The following are the critical elements of the poster.


Benefits of E-posters (4)
* '''Title''': like a newspaper headline, catchy, simple, short and snappy
* '''Authors''': include everyone who contributed to the poster and permitted you to use their name
* '''Affiliations''': organisations that are represented by the authors and the location where the research took place, with contact details
* '''Headings''':
**''Introduction'': short background on the topic, aims and objectives
** ''Methods'': brief, written in a short bullet. It should include objectives, and basic parameters, including target sample, setting, study duration, inclusion/exclusion criteria, statistical techniques, key interventions assessed, and primary outcome measures, space permitting.
** ''Results'': data analysis and stratification, results which answer the stated hypothesis, pertinent and critical graphs, graphics, images, and tables
** ''Conclusions'': derive directly from the results section, include obvious confounders and limitations, key improvements, the potential for project expansion, and an impact statement if clinically applicable
** ''References'': only include those integral to your project


Wider dissemination of poster exposure, through the internet.
==== Additional Information ====
Exposure of your work, past the dates of the event/conference.
Additional information to mention in the bottom corner (usually in a smaller font) includes:
E-posters are more cost-effective (no printing costs).
Changes in the posters can be made till the last minute easily as per the requirements without bearing the extra cost.
Digitalization not only reduces cost but also protects the environment by going paperless.(5)


Software and the Hard Copy
* type of manuscript (if published work)
* funding
* ethical approval
* QR code to your research or professional website (for example, LinkedIn, ResearchGate)


For the actual software creation of a poster, you should ideally start and end with the same software. Some examples of software include (but are not limited to):
==== Tables, Figures, and Images ====
PowerPoint, QuarkXPress, InDesign, LaTeX, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape, Canva etc.
It is important that you are comfortable using these programs, as you will likely be
doing a lot of editing. (6).


Templates may be found online and adapted for your purposes to facilitate this process. Once completed, a poster should be printed professionally (a printing company with experience with producing scientific posters, may be able to help you with quality control and ensure your final poster is not pixilated). 
===== ''General rules'' =====


Once printed, your poster should be carried in a carry tube. If travelling by air, it should be hand luggage.
* Keep graphs, images and figures above 13 centimetres by 15 centimetres
* The graphic element should be relevant to the subject matter, clear, to the point, and attractive
* Crop the image, keeping only the most essential aspects
* Images are not fillers - each has a purpose
* The best image format for poster creation is a high-resolution JPEG file
* Use a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch or DPI
* Use only images that are not protected or under copyright


If the conference organisers fail to specify how the poster will be mounted, it is advisable to take along adhesive tape, pins/tacks, scissors, Velcro etc.
==== Captions ====
Provide a short caption to the point underneath the image. Keep the word captions between 25 and 100 words.


Additional Resources
==== Graphs ====


Arcila Hernández L, Chodkowski N, Treibergs K. A Guide to Implementing Inclusive and Accessible Virtual Poster Sessions. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2022 Mar 30;23(1):e00237-21. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00237-21. PMID: 35496707; PMCID: PMC9053039. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9053039/
===== General rules =====


Soon CSL, Tudor Car L, Ng CJ, Tan NC, Smith H. What Is the Utility of Posters? Qualitative Study of Participants at a Regional Primary Healthcare Conference in Asia. Med Sci Educ. 2022 Nov 3;32(6):1405-1412. doi: 10.1007/s40670-022-01657-z. PMID: 36345366; PMCID: PMC9631582. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9631582/
* Simple to understand
* Show relationships as clearly as possible
* Created with the same text styles as the rest of the poster
* Clear plotlines
* Clearly-defined legend
* Short, catchy title
* Large enough text size on the axis labels


Ross-Hellauer T, Tennant JP, Banelytė V, Gorogh E, Luzi D, Kraker P, Pisacane L, Ruggieri R, Sifacaki E, Vignoli M. Ten simple rules for innovative dissemination of research. PLoS Comput Biol. 2020 Apr 16;16(4):e1007704. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007704. PMID: 32298255; PMCID: PMC7161944.  https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007704
==== Software ====
The following are examples of the software for designing a poster: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, Canva, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Impress, Picto Chart, and Lucid Press.


Poster Presentations (Michigan State University) https://urca.msu.edu/posters Retrieved 02 Jan 2023. 
== Summary ==


Making an Impact with your Poster (University of Liverpool, 2012): https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/computingservices/printing/making-an-impact-with-your-poster.pdf 
=== Keys to Success ===


Selecting images and accessing non-copyright images.  Although this page is about adding images to Physiopedia, you will find a helpful list of websites and software that support non-copyright images.
* Important information should be readable from about 1 metre away
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Adding_images
* The title is short and draws interest
* The most important findings should be placed in the middle of the poster, at eye level for most people
* Word count of about 500 to 1000 words total, roughly 100 words per main section
* The text is clear and to the point
* Bullets, numbering, and headlines should be easy to read
* Make effective use of graphics, colour and fonts
* Have a consistent and clean layout (do not overcrowd your poster)
* Includes acknowledgements, your name and institutional affiliations


Erren TC, Bourne PE. Ten simple rules for a good poster presentation. PLoS Comput Biol. 2007 May;3(5):e102. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030102. PMID: 17530921; PMCID: PMC1876493. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876493/ (open access)
=== Common Mistakes <ref>Arcila Hernández L, Chodkowski N, Treibergs K. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9053039/pdf/jmbe.00237-21.pdf A Guide to Implementing Inclusive and Accessible Virtual Poster Sessions]. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2022 Mar 30;23(1):e00237-21.</ref> ===


Berg J, & Hicks R. Successful design and delivery of a professional poster. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2017 Aug;29(8):461-469. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12478. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID: 28657658. (not open access) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28657658/
* Showing the exact intricate multipart figures that you used in a research paper
* Having too much text (and in a font size that is too small)
* The objective/main point is not instantly obvious
* Poor quality graphics (use of blurry images copied from the Internet)
* Poorly organised poster components; jagged edges, chaotic or untidy impression
* Too much colour (remember that some individuals are colour-blind)
* A dark or black background for your poster
== Resources  ==


Bingham R, O'Neal D 3rd. Developing great abstracts and posters: how to use the tools of science communication. Nurs Womens Health. 2013 Apr-May;17(2):131-8. doi: 10.1111/1751-486X.12021. PMID: 23594325.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23594325/  
# Ross-Hellauer T, Tennant JP, Banelytė V, Gorogh E, Luzi D, Kraker P, Pisacane L, Ruggieri R, Sifacaki E, Vignoli M. [https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007704 Ten simple rules for innovative dissemination of research.] PLoS Comput Biol. 2020 Apr 16;16(4):e1007704
Gundogan B, Koshy K, Kurar L, Whitehurst K. How to make an academic poster. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2016 Sep 6;11:69-71. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2016.09.001. PMID: 29225822; PMCID: PMC5714380. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29225822/  
# Poster Presentations (Michigan State University) https://urca.msu.edu/posters


Grech V. WASP (Write a Scientific Paper): Preparing a poster. Early Hum Dev. 2018 Oct;125:57-59. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2018.06.007. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29937094. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29934101/
== References  ==
Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars' day during coronavirus disease-19 lock down: Medical students' performance and perspective. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2021 Nov-Dec;15(6):23-27. PMID: 34912185; PMCID: PMC8589832. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8589832/


Newsom LC, Miller SW, Chesson M. Use of Digital vs Printed Posters for Teaching and Learning in Pharmacy Education. Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Jun;85(6):8307. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8307. Epub 2021 Jan 19. PMID: 34315702; PMCID: PMC8341229. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8341229/
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[[Category:Course Pages]]
[[Category:Plus Content]]
[[Category:Professional Skills]]
[[Category:Research]]

Latest revision as of 10:24, 14 March 2023


Original Editor - Amanda Ager

Top Contributors - Ewa Jaraczewska, Amanda Ager, Jess Bell and Kim Jackson  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

A poster presentation comes in many different forms. It visually represents a clinical case study, a newly developed programme or a scientific study through text, charts, graphs, and other visual aids. A poster presentation allows viewers and knowledge users to read research material at their leisure and to interact with a presenter by asking questions about the methods or critical findings of the research.[1] Research posters summarise information concisely and attractively to help publicise it and generate discussion. This page addresses the process of developing a formal, research-based poster presentation. It can be used as a reference guide in all poster presentation projects.

General Guidelines[edit | edit source]

An academic, scientific, or clinical poster is called a poster presentation; these terms can be synonyms. Posters range in size and can be arranged in a portrait or landscape orientation. It can also be in-person or presented virtually.

The following are the general rules applied to a poster presentation:

  • it should start a conversation.
  • it is a colourful abstract, not a wall-mounted essay
  • it aims to grab the attention of the audience, which in turn will generate interest in the area of the work it covers
  • research posters should help publicise research and generate discussion.

Building a Poster Presentation[edit | edit source]

The Aims[edit | edit source]

When developing a poster presentation, the author must answer the following three questions.

  1. What is the most important/exciting/astounding finding from the research project?
  2. What is the best way to visually share the research with conference attendees? Should charts, graphs, photos, or images be used?
  3. What is the focus of the talk that will complement the poster?

Steps in Creating a Poster Presentation[edit | edit source]

  • Choose the audience and the purpose of the presentation. The presentation could be:
    • a requirement of the degree programme or clinical placement
    • a presentation of the research findings at an academic conference
    • an expression of complex material in an accessible way for a non-specialist audience
  • Define the purpose of the poster. It may include the following:
    • to help others learn something about your work
    • to introduce a new and interesting perspective on a topic
    • to present a clinical case or the development of a new programme
    • to engage with colleagues, share ideas and network
    • to help the presenter gain experience to openly communicate and talk about their work and research
  • Conceptualise the poster:
    • key headings
    • graphs or images
    • colour scheme
  • Ask for feedback before finishing the poster. The feedback should focus on the following elements:
    • readability of the poster
    • formatting
  • Submit the poster:
    • submit a few days before the deadline
    • a PDF copy of the poster may be required ahead of the scheduled event

Key Elements of Building a Poster[edit | edit source]

The MoSCoW Method[edit | edit source]

The MoSCoW technique helps prioritise the requirements for a specific project.[2] It offers project predictability and helps ensure there are no "white spaces" in the plan.[3]

The MoSCow method can help presenters prioritise and decide which elements to include in a poster presentation.

  • Divide a blank page into the following four categories to help decide the importance of information and organise the poster presentation according to the results received.
    1. Must have
    2. Should have
    3. Could have
    4. Won’t have
  • The texts categorised as “won’t have” and “could have” can be immediately removed
  • “Should have” requires further assessment
  • Only information categorised as “must have” definitively needs to go on the poster

Headings[edit | edit source]

The following are the critical elements of the poster.

  • Title: like a newspaper headline, catchy, simple, short and snappy
  • Authors: include everyone who contributed to the poster and permitted you to use their name
  • Affiliations: organisations that are represented by the authors and the location where the research took place, with contact details
  • Headings:
    • Introduction: short background on the topic, aims and objectives
    • Methods: brief, written in a short bullet. It should include objectives, and basic parameters, including target sample, setting, study duration, inclusion/exclusion criteria, statistical techniques, key interventions assessed, and primary outcome measures, space permitting.
    • Results: data analysis and stratification, results which answer the stated hypothesis, pertinent and critical graphs, graphics, images, and tables
    • Conclusions: derive directly from the results section, include obvious confounders and limitations, key improvements, the potential for project expansion, and an impact statement if clinically applicable
    • References: only include those integral to your project

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

Additional information to mention in the bottom corner (usually in a smaller font) includes:

  • type of manuscript (if published work)
  • funding
  • ethical approval
  • QR code to your research or professional website (for example, LinkedIn, ResearchGate)

Tables, Figures, and Images[edit | edit source]

General rules[edit | edit source]
  • Keep graphs, images and figures above 13 centimetres by 15 centimetres
  • The graphic element should be relevant to the subject matter, clear, to the point, and attractive
  • Crop the image, keeping only the most essential aspects
  • Images are not fillers - each has a purpose
  • The best image format for poster creation is a high-resolution JPEG file
  • Use a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch or DPI
  • Use only images that are not protected or under copyright

Captions[edit | edit source]

Provide a short caption to the point underneath the image. Keep the word captions between 25 and 100 words.

Graphs[edit | edit source]

General rules[edit | edit source]
  • Simple to understand
  • Show relationships as clearly as possible
  • Created with the same text styles as the rest of the poster
  • Clear plotlines
  • Clearly-defined legend
  • Short, catchy title
  • Large enough text size on the axis labels

Software[edit | edit source]

The following are examples of the software for designing a poster: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, Canva, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Impress, Picto Chart, and Lucid Press.

Summary[edit | edit source]

Keys to Success[edit | edit source]

  • Important information should be readable from about 1 metre away
  • The title is short and draws interest
  • The most important findings should be placed in the middle of the poster, at eye level for most people
  • Word count of about 500 to 1000 words total, roughly 100 words per main section
  • The text is clear and to the point
  • Bullets, numbering, and headlines should be easy to read
  • Make effective use of graphics, colour and fonts
  • Have a consistent and clean layout (do not overcrowd your poster)
  • Includes acknowledgements, your name and institutional affiliations

Common Mistakes [4][edit | edit source]

  • Showing the exact intricate multipart figures that you used in a research paper
  • Having too much text (and in a font size that is too small)
  • The objective/main point is not instantly obvious
  • Poor quality graphics (use of blurry images copied from the Internet)
  • Poorly organised poster components; jagged edges, chaotic or untidy impression
  • Too much colour (remember that some individuals are colour-blind)
  • A dark or black background for your poster

Resources[edit | edit source]

  1. Ross-Hellauer T, Tennant JP, Banelytė V, Gorogh E, Luzi D, Kraker P, Pisacane L, Ruggieri R, Sifacaki E, Vignoli M. Ten simple rules for innovative dissemination of research. PLoS Comput Biol. 2020 Apr 16;16(4):e1007704
  2. Poster Presentations (Michigan State University) https://urca.msu.edu/posters

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Soon CSL, Tudor Car L, Ng CJ, Tan NC, Smith H. What Is the Utility of Posters? Qualitative Study of Participants at a Regional Primary Healthcare Conference in Asia. Med Sci Educ. 2022 Nov 3;32(6):1405-1412
  2. ↑ Kravchenko T, Bogdanova T, Shevgunov T. Ranking requirements using MoSCoW methodology in practice. InCybernetics Perspectives in Systems: Proceedings of 11th Computer Science On-line Conference 2022, Vol. 3 2022 Jul 5 (pp. 188-199). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  3. ↑ Miranda E. Moscow rules A quantitative exposé. InAgile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming: 23rd International Conference on Agile Software Development, XP 2022, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 13–17, 2022, Proceedings 2022 Jun 9 (pp. 19-34). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  4. ↑ Arcila Hernández L, Chodkowski N, Treibergs K. A Guide to Implementing Inclusive and Accessible Virtual Poster Sessions. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2022 Mar 30;23(1):e00237-21.
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