Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters Assignment

Assignment Task

Preparation and research

• Carry out focused research, using Library Search (UH databases, textbooks, scholarly, peer-reviewed journals, and government websites) to address the exact

• Avoid using Google as it lacks credibility. Literally anyone can publish something online. So how do you know if a webpage you find is trustworthy or not? Google and patient information websites also lack comprehensive information. You need in-depth information, not superficial literature.  

Content                            

• Identify the key information you need to include which addresses the task/assignment brief.

• Consider what a journal abstract contains to help you get started: What issues are raised? What are the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations?

• Develop an argument by analysing what you have read rather than describing it. State why the topic is important, and list key points / issues. Compare the information to other literature that you have read using terms such as “this is supported by…”, “However this is disputed by…” Give a brief critical reflection on what you have read and recommendations if appropriate.

• Always acknowledge your sources using APA citations.

• Remember that recommendations can only be reached after you have come to conclusions about your research / findings / presentation. Therefore, position them accordingly. Recommendations should show imagination and thoughtfulness, and be innovative and achievable. They should also be prioritised with the most important/relevant one first.

Creating your poster: design, style and layout

• Consider your audience and design your message and style accordingly.

• Your poster needs to address the assessment brief and only the assessment brief and it must have visual impact. Your poster can contain a mix of text and graphics / illustrations / pictures.

• Use an appropriate font size and style. Fonts that are easy to read are Calibri, Arial and Verdana. McMillan and Weyers (2006) advise you choose a font size 30 points for titles and 18-20 points for main text. Ramsey et al. (2009) suggest that to emphasise a point you should use one of bold, italics, underlining, a different text colour or text box/graphic.
• Academic posters should have very little white space or disconnected sections and not too much or too little text. Ideally, a viewer should be able to read a poster clearly, so the graphics and text must not be too crowded.

• Colour combinations need to be pleasing and enhance readability and attractiveness, but do not overcomplicate - colour schemes should not be more important than the message!

• Titles should capture the idea or topic, and different sections and illustrations should be clearly labelled so that poster is easy to follow.

• Continuously review the purpose/aim of the poster so that you stay focused and on the right track.

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