The culmination of any research project is always dissemination. In this instance, students will submit an electronic poster presentation as the method of di

The culmination of any research project is always dissemination. In this instance, students will submit an electronic poster presentation as the method of dissemination. Electronic posters save the cost of printing, and there are many excellent templates to choose from. Below, you will find one website that offers free templates, but there are many others. The beauty of an electronic template is that you can complete the poster and then upload it to the site to have a printed version made should you so desire (that will not be required for this class). 

The poster MUST include the following components:

• To create a research poster that includes all the required components, here's how you can structure and design it:
  1. Background/Introduction (5 points)
  
  • Content: Provide a brief overview of the topic you are investigating. This section should set the stage for the research, explaining why the study is important, what problem it addresses, and its relevance to the field. You can also mention key background information or context to help viewers understand the topic.
  • Design Tip: Keep the text concise and to the point, using bullet points or short paragraphs. Use visuals (e.g., images or charts) to complement the text and make the introduction visually appealing.
  • 2. Research Question (5 points)
  • Content: State the main research question or hypothesis your study aims to explore. This should be clear and specific.
  • Design Tip: Present the research question in a bold, readable font. You might want to place it in a prominent location on the poster so it stands out.
  • 3. Theorist (5 points)
  • Content: Mention the theorist or theorists whose work forms the foundation of your study. Briefly explain the relevant theory or concept you are using and how it connects to your research.
  • Design Tip: Use a small photo or portrait of the theorist (if applicable) alongside a brief description. Ensure that the text is succinct but informative.
  • 4. Method(s) (5 points)
  • Content: Explain the methods you used in your research (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods). Outline key procedures such as surveys, interviews, experiments, or data analysis techniques.
  • Design Tip: Use bullet points or a flowchart to present the methods. Visuals like charts or diagrams can help make the explanation clearer and more engaging.
  • 5. Population (5 points)
  • Content: Describe the population you studied, including details like age, gender, location, or any other relevant characteristics. Explain why this population was chosen.
  • Design Tip: Include demographic visuals or a graphic representation of your population (e.g., pie charts, age groups) to make the information visually appealing and easy to digest.
  • 6. Setting (5 points)
  • Content: Describe where your research took place, such as a particular geographic location, institution, or environment.
  • Design Tip: Use a map, photo, or relevant setting image to provide a clear sense of place. Be concise but informative.
  • 7. Challenges & Limitations (5 points)
  • Content: Identify any challenges you faced in your research, such as access to participants, time constraints, or data collection issues. Acknowledge any limitations in your research design or methodology.
  • Design Tip: Keep the text brief. Consider using icons or symbols (e.g., clock for time constraints, caution sign for limitations) to visually represent these challenges.
  • 8. Conclusion (5 points)
  • Content: Summarize the key findings and implications of your research. You might also mention suggestions for future research or how your study contributes to the field.
  • Design Tip: Present this section clearly and concisely in a box or highlighted area. You could also use a "key takeaways" or "summary" section to emphasize the most important points.
  • 9. References (5 points)
  • Content: Include a list of all the sources you referenced in your research. Ensure the references are properly formatted according to the citation style you are using APA formatting standards.
  • Design Tip: List references in small font at the bottom of the poster. Make sure the text is readable, but you don't want it to overpower other sections of the poster.
  • 10. Overall Appearance, Flow, Clarity, Accuracy, and Impact (5 points)
  • Content: This section is about how well the poster as a whole communicates your research in a clear, concise, and visually appealing way. Ensure the design is organized, easy to follow, and engaging. Use headings, subheadings, and consistent color schemes to guide the viewer’s eye through the poster.
  • Design Tip:
    • Layout: Use a grid layout or columns for neat organization. Group related sections together to create a logical flow (e.g., background -> research question -> theorist -> methods -> findings -> conclusion).
    • Fonts: Use large, readable fonts for headings and smaller fonts for body text. Avoid clutter by limiting text and using bullet points.
    • Visuals: Use relevant visuals such as graphs, charts, diagrams, and photos to complement your text and make your poster visually appealing. Choose high-quality, clear images.
    • Colors: Use a color scheme that is professional and enhances readability. Avoid using too many colors that might distract from the content.
    • Impact: Make sure the poster grabs attention. The key points should be easy to understand at a glance, and the visuals should support the text without overwhelming it.
  • Final Checklist:
  • Brevity: Keep the text brief but informative. Focus on the most important points.
  • Visual Balance: Balance the text and visuals so the poster is engaging but not cluttered.
  • Professionalism: Ensure that the content is accurate, clear, and properly cited. Most of the contents of the poster will already be completed by virtue of the project itself but will need to be paraphrased and/or changed to bullet format for the sake of the poster. 

https://www.makesigns.com/SciPosters_Templates.aspxLinks to an external site. 

Consider this – If presented at a conference, a viewer will spend, on average, only 2-3 minutes examining the content of the poster, so the work needs to be succinct, and the poster needs to be eye-catching without a lot of "extra" fluff.