1. Creating a Non-empirical Poster
W. Trey Hill

2. What is non-empirical? Literature reviews Proposed studies
Theory development
Theme: they all lack the empirical collection of data

3. First things first
A poster is not a paper, don’t try to make it into one
You can take s from interested passersby and send them the full document
When possible, condense your research into a coherent, compelling story
Have a couple big ideas you are trying to convey and stick to those
People remember stories. Stories resonate. Stories stick.
If the point is to disseminate your ideas, you need them to be memorable

4. Typical Components of a Non-Empirical Poster
Background
Biggest portion of the poster
Organized into specific content areas
Goal is to organize everything into a few clear pieces of information
We know this, we know that….we don’t know that
Could lead to a few research ideas
These may be empirical proposals, but they do not have to be

5. Departures from Empirical Posters
No data
Maybe a less defined method (if it is a proposal)
No results
May have predicted results (if it is a proposal)
Larger literature review section
Larger section on future research

6. Actually Creating the Poster
Some components (may not have all of these)
Title, name, abstract
Background
Pro section, Con section
Your research question/research idea
Examples of what you found (papers, other research)
Proposed methods, predicted results
Your conclusions
Don’t forget to make the poster visually appealing (pictures, figures)

7. Example

8. Department of Psychology
Effects of Leading Questions on Memory Rylee Staab and W. Trey Hill Fort Hays State University
Department of Psychology
Introduction
Predicted Results
Eyewitness testimony is often the central piece of evidence highlighted in criminal court cases. However, eyewitness testimony can be erroneous and lead to numerous wrongful convictions.
Factors that can affect reliability of eyewitness testimony:
A victim will start forgetting the event moments after the incident.
The amount of violence could have effects on the eyewitness’ memory (Baddeley, 1999).
Studies have shown that law enforcement officers tend to unconsciously contribute to witness testimony error (Wise, Cushman, & Safer, 2012).
It is predicted that:
The answers from group A will be erroneous due to the leading questions.
The answers from group B will be more accurate.
I expect higher levels of confidence from group A than group B.
Despite the answers being flawed, group A will have higher levels of confidence because of the leading questions.
Proposed Method
150 participants from General Psychology courses will be shown a 52 second video of a crime in progress.
Immediately following the video, the participants will be asked to fill out a questionnaire.
Half of the participants will receive questionnaires with leading questions (Group A).
The other half will be considered as the control group (Group B).
Along with answering the questions, the confidence of each participant will be evaluated using the methods developed by Natasha Semmens (2001). It is as follows:
The speed (S) in which the participants answer each question, as well as the demeanor (D) with which the questions are answered, will be assessed.
Confidence (C) will the be calculated using the following formula:
C=S+D
Discussion
Although the control group (group B) is expected to provide more accurate results, the memory of those participants may be altered by other factors such as confidence (low/high levels).
This research would be helpful in ensuring the memories of eyewitnesses do not become altered by employing proper interviewing techniques.
Hypothesis
The participant’s memories will be altered and erroneous when asked leading questions after being shown a video of a crime scene.
Contact Information
Rylee Staab:

11. Things to Do Make the text readable Include graphics
People are attracted to images, figures
“a picture is worth a thousand words”
Pictures should complement the text of the poster
Don’t just put random pictures on your poster

12. Things to Avoid Too much text Inappropriate font style or size
“Busy” background.
Go with a light colored background and darker font for most of your text
Poster should be professional but aesthetically pleasing
Font needs to be readable

13. Know Your Audience Be smart about jargon and technical terms
If the poster is for a discipline-specific conference, go ahead and use technical terms
If the poster is for an interdisciplinary conference (SACAD), cut back on the technical terms
Reviewers and conference attendees may not understand anything beyond an introductory level of your discipline
The goal is communication.
The goal is not to make your audience feel stupid

14. A Presentation is More than Just Your Poster
Dress professionally
Speak clearly
Consider the use of analogies to explain complicated concepts
Practice!
Most important thing to do…
Let yourself have fun

15. Thanks!

16. Questions?

17. Reference Material
Some of today’s presentation was derived from the following paper:
Some Examples