Scholar-to-Scholar competitive
sessions are a common means of displaying
communication research findings. Some organizations, such as the
American
Psychological Association, utilize poster sessions for presenting
the majority of
their competitively selected, data-based papers. BEA also uses this
format
because it offers many advantages; chief among them is the opportunity
to engage in extended dialogue with those most interested in one's
research.
The use of poster sessions at BEA meetings
is still a relatively new practice and
not all members are yet familiar with the process of preparing appropriate
displays. It is essential that careful thought and planning go into
the preparation of a display several weeks prior to its presentation.
Unlike verbal presentations, a worthwhile poster display cannot
be assembled at the last minute.
The Concept
A poster display consists of a brief overview
of the important elements of one's
display: an abstract, a statement of the research questions or problems,
overview of methods, summary of results, and itemization of important
conclusions. It also should incorporate, where appropriate, visual
elements beyond simple text. Visual displays are enhanced by diagrams,
graphs, schematics, and pictures as well as more traditional tables
or figures.
The Logistics
1. One's entire display must fit within an
area four feet high by five feet wide.
2. Conference organizers will provide means
for fastening your materials to the
surface on which it will be displayed. Push pins or temporary adhesive
strips will be used, depending on the nature of the facilities and
equipment available at the
conference site.
3. Each display should include a prominent
"label" at the top indicating the title of
the paper and author names. The letter size for this should be at
least 1-2 inches
high; somewhat larger sizes may be desirable. Keep in mind that
the title is meant to attract one's audience and therefore ought
to be visible at a medium distance.
4. The remainder of your display should assume
that the reader will be at
arms-length distance. Letter size for all aspects of the display
should be no smaller than one centimeter high (about 1/2 inch),
with headings or sub-headings larger and preferably in bold type.
Tips for Preparing
Each paper offers different types of elements
that are important to emphasize. For an empirical, quantitative
study, a typical presentation might look similar to the items below.
Other types of research papers may wish to
utilize different topical summaries or
different arrays of visual material. The best displays are those
that offer more that mere textual description of paper; they take
advantage of their medium of
communication and utilize visual elements that convey special meaning
associated with the topic. Be creative and use a device to capture
attention. This technique is not different than telling a joke at
the beginning of a talk to get people's attention.
Avoid information overload. A common flaw
of poster displays is to try to include
everything that is in the paper. Remember, you will be one of many
displays that
your audience will be surveying. Two or three key points in each
of the areas
suggested in the figure above should be considered an appropriate
amount of
information and probably all you will have room for if lettering
is done at the proper size.
Many universities have graphic design units
that support both research and
instruction. If the materials you need to prepare also can serve
a pedagogical
purpose for a course, you may be able to obtain their assistance
at no charge or at a reduced rate.
Most art stores provide a variety of press-on
letters in different sizes and fonts and colors. Stencils also may
be employed.
If one's computer does not provide a large
enough letter size, try using photocopy machines with enlargement
capabilities. If one's academic unit doesn't provide such service,
most copy centers can do this for a nominal charge.
Arrive at the session at least 15 minutes
prior to its scheduled start so that the
display will be ready at the appointed hour. It is as rude to the
audience to be late setting up the poster display as arriving late
for a talk. Those most interested in the research may well be the
first to visit the display.
Good Luck!
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