Developing Poster Presentations in the Social Sciences

Introduction Welcome to the online version of the Writing Center's Developing a Poster Presentation in the Social Sciences Workshop. Feel free to use the arrow below to advance to the next slide, or you can use the drop-down menu below to skip ahead.

Posters vs. Papers Papers are designed to appeal to an editor of a scholarly journal, and to meet the formal organizational and informational requirements of publication. Posters are designed to appeal to peers and colleagues at conferences and/or public displays, and to meet the organizational and informational requirements of conferences and/or public displays.

Posters vs. Papers The audience of a paper is a person; the audience of a poster is people. A poster presentation allows for question-and-answer sessions, and the exchange of ideas and information regarding your research. A paper presents all the information; a poster presents the most important information.

Elements of Your Poster Title Abstract Introduction Methods Data/Results Conclusions Acknowledgments References

Title Title Catching, simple, able to be seen from 20 feet away. Author(s) Always use first names. Use middle initials if space permits. Institution Institution and department. City names and state names can be dropped.

Abstract Follow APA guidelines. Identify what is being studied, how you are studying it, and what your variables are. Identify your hypothesis. State your findings.

Introduction Follow APA guidelines. Less in-depth than an introduction for a paper. Highlight and focus on: Questions raised and answered by previous research. The question you are asking and why you are asking it.

Methods Follow APA guidelines. Present only the basics--your audience isn't trying to replicate your study at this moment, they just want to know basic experimental design. Identify: The demographics of your subjects. Measurement (repeated vs. independent). Design (between vs. within). Psychometric tests used in your experiment.

Data and Results Follow APA guidelines. Use graphic/visual elements: Tables Charts Pictures Graphs

Data and Results Include a descriptive label for each graphic. Below each graphic include a brief written description of what the graphic is and the interpretation of its data.

Conclusion Follow APA guidelines. Be concise and clear. Highlight: What you found, and its importance. Parallels and discrepancies with previous research and theory. The direction of future research.

Acknowledgements Acknowledge those professionals and research assistants outside of your research group that contributed to your study. Be brief. Note: this section is not a requirement.

References Follow APA format. Use the same references as in your original research paper.

Organization and Layout What does a poster look like? A general guide to poster layout:

Organization and Layout Logistics: Find out the size regulations before you begin--the standard is usually 4' x 6'. Font type for the body of your writing should be large enough to read from 6 feet away.

Organization and Layout General Tips: Organize materials in either a columnar or counterclockwise fashion starting in the upper left corner. Make section headings distinct from the body of your writing. Use graphics, but only those that are necessary

Organization and Layout Fonts: Use the same font style throughout the poster. The title should be readable from 20 feet away. The body of the writing should be readable from 6 feet away. San serif fonts are easier to read. Add emphasis with bold, underline or color-- italics are harder to read.

Aesthetic Issues Color: Used effectively, color is an effective method of attracting people to your poster. If you use color, stick to using a set number of colors in a consistent pattern. Limit your color use to 2-3 colors.

Aesthetic Issues Use contrasting colors for readability and a professional look. Mount your printed material (text and graphics) on a colored background to create a border/frame.

Aesthetic Issues Layout: Limited space doesn't mean you can cram things together. Use a consistent spacing rule between each element of your poster. Try to align corners along vertical and horizontal lines.

Don’t Forget You will be talking to others, and talking with others, about your poster. Bring a copy of your original paper for reference. Prepare handouts that highlight the key points of your research.