How do I prepare an effective poster presentation?

---

Key Points

• Posters are a method for presenting research findings in a written and visual way, as a hybrid between a paper and an oral presentation.
• Posters rely on visual appeal and should contain minimal but large-printed text, and useful summative visuals. 
• Every poster should be tailored to the event that you are presenting for.

---

Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

•  How to Prepare & Present a Scientific Poster
  • This resource discusses the format and specifications for designing scientific posters, including suggestions for the format, design, and graphics to include.
• Scientific Poster Building 
  • A run-down from the University of Pittsburgh on scientific poster content, with a focus on how to select and display representative data. 
• Guidelines for Poster Presenters A guide from Whitman University for undergraduate poster presentations. It considers key factors for poster design and presentation, like the software, layout, and writing style.
• Poster and Presentation ResourcesThis website provides hyperlinks to many resources related to poster design, presentation, and general tips.

Videos

• Designing an Effective Scientific Poster
  • A 30-minute webinar from Research Medical Library that describes clear guidelines and instructions for poster design, as well as considerations from the conference host.
• How to Make an Academic Poster in PowerPoint
  • This is a quick “how-to” video for creating and formatting an academic poster using PowerPoint software.
  • The video covers content and layout, fonts, alignment, and how to export as a PDF.

---

Templates and Examples

• The Key Parts of a Scientific Poster
  • This website provides free templates for scientific posters, as well as an outline of common sections for researchers who want to design their own.
• Scientific Poster Design: Good and Bad Examples 
  • This 10-minute video walks through examples of good and bad posters, highlighting key aspects of successful poster design.

---

How do I prepare an effective oral or podium presentation?

---

Key Points

• An oral presentation (also referred to as a podium presentation) requires careful planning and practice, and a different skill set than the written format.
• Podium presentations often accompany a slideshow or poster, which requires the researcher to condense their project into key bullet points and descriptive visuals.
• A short, well-rehearsed, and clearly formatted oral presentation will set researchers apart at symposiums and conferences.

---

Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Oral Presentation Resources
  • A helpful repository with resources for first time presenters from George Washington University focused on the content and delivery of an oral presentation. 
• Ten Simple Rules for Making Good Oral Presentations
  • A straightforward summary of how to effectively present research orally, with a focus on the delivery of the speech. 
• How to Deliver an Oral Presentation
  • An article that covers both the content and format of a PowerPoint or poster, in addition to tips for the delivery of the oral presentation itself.

Videos

• How to become a better scientific presenter – tips and tricks for scientists
  • A 4-minute video that discusses holistic strategies for the presenter to calm their nerves, stay focused, and how to effectively deliver their presentation at a conference.
• How to give a great oral presentation
  • A short video from the Microbiology Society that takes viewers through three steps of a presentation: planning, practicing, and delivery.
• How to give a good scientific talk
  • A 5-minute video that discusses best practices for an oral presentation, what to include on the slides, and general rules of thumb for an engaging and concise scientific talk.

---

Templates and Examples

• Giving the Podium Presentation
  • An informative article on steps for success in an oral presentation, from the content of the slides, to how to dress, and tips for the oral delivery of the work. Accompanies this helpful checklist for an oral presentation.

---

Relevant Publications

• Blome, C., Sondermann, H., & Augustin, M. (2017). Accepted standards on how to give a Medical Research Presentation: a systematic review of expert opinion papers. GMS Journal for Medical Education, 34(1), Doc11.
• Knott, J. C., Taylor, D. M., & Simon, E. L. (2020). Conference presentations: A research primer for low- and middle-income countries. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(Suppl 2), S158–S160.

---

How do I prepare and submit an effective abstract?

---

Key Points

• An abstract is a short powerful statement that describes the purpose of the project, research problem, method, research problem, analysis, results, and their significance.
• There are different styles of abstracts to choose from. Five common types are: Descriptive, Informative, Structured, Semi-structured, and Non-structured.

---

Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Abstracts
  • This introductory resource from the University of North Carolina Writing Center describes what an abstract is, how to write one, and special considerations for different types of abstracts whether written for an online journal, conference paper, book chapter, research grant application, dissertation, or thesis.
• How to Write an Abstract for the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Conference
  • This helpful website from the University of California Davis is geared toward writing abstracts for undergraduate research and conferences.
  • It discusses what to include in the abstract, stylistic considerations, and reminders before submitting. 

Videos

• How to Write an Abstract for a Scientific Article  
  • This 6-minute video walks through components of a scientific abstract, focusing on the Background, Method, Results, and Conclusion.
• How to Write an Abstract Step-by-Step
  • This 10-minute video offers ten tips for preparing and submitting abstracts.
  • It highlights certain requirements for the abstract, considering the audience, phrasing the research problem and methods, conciseness, keywords, and the importance of editing and proofreading.

---

Relevant Publications

• Mack, C. A. (2012). How to write a good scientific paper: Title, abstract, and keywords. Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, 11(2), 020101.
• Nagda S. (2013). How to write a scientific abstract. The Journal of the Indian Prosthodontic Society, 13(3), 382–383.

---

How do I select the right opportunity to share and disseminate findings?

---

Key Points

• Selecting the right research conference allows you to enhance the impact of your research, network, and even receive recognition for your work.
• There are several factors to consider when selecting a conference, including your specialty, the location, accessibility and transportation, and venue amenities like Internet, audio-visual system, and flexible accommodations.

---

Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Identifying Quality Conferences Tip Sheet 
  • This resource provides tips for selecting a conference based on the specific professional society or association, the timeline from abstract submission to a conference presentation, and awards offered.
  • It also provides information for identifying and avoiding predatory conferences. 
• Choosing a Conference
  • This blog post offers personal insights into considerations for conference selection, including the purpose of the conference, weighing the cost of attendance, and the financial or professional incentives available.

Videos

• Strategies to Identify the Best Conference for You
  • A 6-minute video that discusses strategies to select a conference strategically, considering your research focus, the potential for career advancement, and professional networking opportunities.
• How to Choose the Best Conference
  • A 20-minute video that details how to use digital libraries like the IET Digital Library and IEEE Xplore to search and select upcoming conferences according to your specialty.
• Registry Verified Conferences
  • This 21-minute video is geared toward conference organizers and describes the process for becoming registry-certified, an accreditation process that can benefit conference organizers.
  • The video describes the benefits and important logistical details to work out prior to the conference.

---