The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Paper versus speech versus poster: Different formats for communicating research Jane E. Miller, PhD

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Overview Three formats for communicating research results Comparison of: – Format – Audience interaction – Contents

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Same project, different formats A particular research project is often presented in several formats: – As a 20-minute oral conference presentation – As a research poster – As a published journal article or report Content will be similar

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Similarities between paper, speech, and poster Basic story line describing and investigating a given research question All include written elements All include the same major sections – Introduction and literature review – Data and methods – Results – Discussion and conclusion

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Comparison of format

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences Between formats Paper, poster, and speech formats are NOT interchangeable. – Don’t simply copy and paste paragraphs from the paper onto slides or poster pages. – Don’t lose out on opportunity to answer (and ask!) questions of viewers at poster session or presentation.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Aspects that differ across formats Type of communication Extent of audience interaction Who controls the pace Form Length Style Formatting

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Oral presentation materials: Speech versus poster Speech: Speaker’s notes (script) – Full narrative script or – Selected reminders, coordinated with slides Poster: – Few sentences summarizing main objectives and findings, spoken to each viewer. – Brief modules about each major section of the poster, selected in response to questions from individual viewers. – Few questions to ask viewers, e.g., to solicit reactions to your findings, request ideas of research extensions.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Audience interaction: Speech versus poster Speech: Questions and discussion from audience – Usually limited in a multipaper conference session – Can be extensive during a longer individual seminar – Questions from individuals after session Poster: – One-on-one discussion with viewers. Responses tailored in response to their questions. – Potentially extensive, depends on interests of viewers.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Pace, order, and detail of material Speech – Speaker controls the order, pace, and detail at which material is delivered Paper or poster – Audience controls the pace at which they receive material – Can read (or reread) material – Decide which material to focus on, which to skim

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Form and length Paper – Printed pages Research brief ~12–15 double-spaced pages Full research paper ~20–30 double-spaced pages Speech – Slides and handouts 20-minute conference presentation ~15–20 slides Poster – Printed pages and handouts 8’ by 4’ poster ~20 pages

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Style Paper – Full sentences and paragraphs – Formal essay structure Speech – Bulleted phrases replace full sentences on slides – Full sentences in spoken narrative – Simplified tables and charts replace large detailed tables Poster – Full paragraphs in abstract – Bulleted sentences in introduction and conclusion – Bulleted phrases replace in data and methods and results – Charts and tables replace large detailed tables

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Format: Type size Paper  12 point type for text, tables, charts Speech slides  18+ point type for body of slides, tables, charts  40+ point type for titles Poster  14 point type for body of pages, tables, charts  20+ point type for titles

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Format: Color Paper – Usually limited to black type on white background Speech slides – Dark background with light text OR clear background with dark text – Contrasting color for emphasis (e.g., statistical significance) Poster pages – Clear or pale colored background with dark color for most text – Contrasting color for emphasis (e.g., statistical significance)

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Text cues to guide viewers Paper – Subheadings within sections Name subtopics within literature review or results Speech – Slide titles Integrate specific topic, purpose, or finding of each slide Poster – Page titles Integrate specific topic, purpose, or finding of each page

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Comparison of contents

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Common research presentation formats These guidelines assume the following lengths: – Paper 20+ page manuscript, double-spaced – Speech 20-minute conference presentation – Poster 4’ by 8’ poster

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Purpose of the introduction Provides a summary of the issue and its importance Specifies the authors’ research question or hypothesis.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences between formats: Introduction Paper – Several pages on the issue and its importance – End with research question or hypotheses Speech – 1-2 slides on the issue and its importance – End with 1 slide stating research question or hypotheses Poster – 1-2 pages on the issue and its importance – End with research question or hypotheses

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Purpose of the literature review Provides a summary of previous studies on similar topics and methods. Identifies gaps in the literature to be addressed by the current study.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences between formats: Literature review Paper  Detailed review and summary of studies with similar Topics Methods  Provide a full list of citations at end of paper Speech  1–2 slides of few key studies only Tabular summary or bulleted text Poster  1 page on main points from few key articles

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Purpose of the data and methods Provides information on: – Data sources – Study design – Variables – Statistical methods – Model specifications

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences between formats: Data and methods Paper  Comprehensive, detailed information that would allow others to replicate the data collection, preparation, and analysis Speech  3-4 slides presenting only essential information about study design, variables, and analytic plan Poster  2-3 pages presenting essential information as for speech

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Purpose of the results section Provides findings using: – Detailed statistical tables and charts – Accompanying prose describing research results. Ask and answer the research question using numbers or other types of evidence.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences between formats: Results Paper  Detailed statistical tables and charts  Prose descriptions of main findings in paragraph form Speech  4–5 slides with simplified tables and charts, either Bulleted text annotations, or Described in speaker’s notes.  One major result (or set of related results) per slide Poster  4–5 pages of simplified tables and charts with bulleted annotations – One major result or set of related results per page

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Purpose of the discussion and conclusions Relates findings of current study to – Original research question or hypothesis – Previous related studies Discusses – Policy implications of findings – Research strengths and limitations – Directions for future research

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Differences between formats: Discussion and conclusion Paper – Several pages to discuss topics on above slide Speech – One slide each of bulleted text for topics on above slide Poster – 2–3 pages total covering material on above slide

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Summary The general content and structure of a paper, a speech, and a poster about the same research paper will be similar. The three formats differ in terms of – Length – Form Speeches and posters involve spoken material and live audience interaction.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Suggested resources Chapter 20 in Miller, J.E., The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2nd Edition. Miller, J. E “Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters.” Health Services Research. 42 (1 Part I): 311–28.

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Suggested online resources Podcasts on – Planning a speech and designing effective slides – Overview of preparing and presenting effective research posters – Presenting statistical results to nonstatistical audiences

The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition. Suggested practice exercises Study guide to The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2nd Edition. – Problem sets for chapter 19, questions #1, 3, 4, and 7 chapter 20, question #3 – Suggested course extensions for chapter 19 – “Writing” exercises #1 and 2 – “Revising” exercises #1 and 3 chapter 20 – “Writing” exercise #2 – “Revising” exercise #1