1. Making GREAT scientific presentations
Prof. Angela Amayo
University of Nairobi
15th HuQAS Conference 2015

2. Outline Introduction to scientific presentation
Why one should make great presentations
How to make great presentations
Summary

3. Oral presentation Is a form of communication
Scientific presentations communicate new scientific findings
Sharing your ideas and results with others
Effective communication is a process:
Relaying a message through a medium to recipient and getting feedback

4. Oral presentation as a communication Process
Source (Presenter)
Encoding Message (Presentation)
Channel (Conference)
Seeing and Hearing (Decoding)
Feedback (Impact Factor)

5. Why strive for GREAT presentations
Respect for audience
Audience has given you their time
Audience deserve the best
Self respect/ Personal branding
Want to communicate a message
Presenter and presentation are one
Only have ONE chance to present

6. Making great presentations
Plan with care
Prepare with care
Present with care

7. Considerations for Presenters
What do you want to share?
What is the subject matter?
Is the information you are sharing useful?
Is the information you are communicating accurate?

8. Considerations for scientific presenters (2)
Why make a scientific presentation?
To inform
To persuade
To make research results accessible
Avoids reinventing the wheel and duplicating research
To progress ideas and improve as a scientist

9. Consider the target audience
Specific technical audiences
Laboratory professionals (peers)
General technical audiences
Other health care workers
Non technical audiences
Non health professionals
General public
Example:
Topic: Molecular diagnostics: The time for viral load testing is Now
Content of topic will differ depending on the audience

10. Consider the target audience
Who are they? Can you clearly identify them?
What do they already know about the subject matter?
Why will they listen to your presentation?
What will motivate or interest them?

11. Prepare with care Select information for presentation
Synthesize information to fit in available time
Simplify data presentation data to improve understanding
Consider:
Content
information
Structure
Organization of information
Style
Delivery of information

12. Perspectives of audience (1)
Content (The information)
What is the quality of the information
Is there supporting evidence
Is research scientifically sound
Were objectives achieved
Are results accurate
Does the presentation inform or persuade
Consider audience, Communicate to the audience, Express your views not Impress audience
Use words audience can relate with
Create a “What’s in it for me” scenario for reader

13. Perspectives of audience (2)
Structure (Organization of information - presentation)
Format
Use format for scientific papers
Avoid jargon
Overall Organization
Avoid too much detail
Make presentation easy to follow
Ensure information flow in a sequential manner
Practice, Study good examples, Learn the techniques and rules of scientific presentation

14. Perspectives of audience (3)
Style ( Presentation of the information)
Make presentation captivating
Use illustrations creatively
Create a “What’s in it for me” scenario for audience
Golden Rule: Be clear, simple and brief
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"
Albert Einstein

15. Present with care Prepare your mind Prepare your body
Be confident
Practice/Rehearse your presentation
Prepare your body
Body language is important
Dress for a successful presentation
Interact with your audience
Keep eye contact with audience
Leave audience with take home message
Manage time effectively

16. Summary Scientific presentation is about communication
Presenter should consider the audience at all times
Presentation should be:
Accurate
Brief
Clear