Technical Tips from the Field
Editor: Gayle Fink (gfink@bowiestate.edu)
Last month we used this corner of the newsletter to
share guidelines, crafted by Mary Harrington and Rebecca Carr, for creating effective
visual presentations. In this issue, Robert Miller shares tips and resources for
creating effective posters. Send your tips to Gayle Fink (gfink@bowiestate.edu).
Creating Effective Posters
Robert Miller, Centenary College (millerr@centenarycollege.edu)
As researchers in the higher education environment, we are all familiar with journals
and publications that convey theories, findings, and ideas. Submission to peer reviewed
journals and many other higher education publications requires a significant amount
of time and effort, as well as a great deal of structure and a substantial amount
of information. The drawback to publications is that many times individuals are
not able to make their research known to their peers due to time constraints or
the fact that their research may be in its early stages. However, there are other
mediums to convey your professional work.
I found myself in this situation while working on the Periodic Review Report for
Middles States for my institution. I found a way to incorporate a model for institutional
assessment into Astin’s I-E-O framework to create a clear picture for the senior
administration and other constituents. I was excited with the way it was received
and felt that it would be useful to others in the field. In addition, I wanted to
get feedback on this model to see if there were any concerns or suggestions from
experts in the field of IR. I found a perfect avenue for this in the form of a poster
presentation at the Northeast Association for Institutional Research conference.
The use of a poster presentation is advantageous in that it allows one to present
research even in its infancy and allows for feedback from others in the field. This
type of presentation allows for one-on-one interaction when the author is present,
but also allows others to view the information on their own, at their own pace.
Having decided to present a poster, I began the process of examining poster samples
online for best practices. There are numerous websites devoted to this subject.
A simple Google search of the topic will provide you with a number of software programs
and organizations that will assist you in building the poster. While these sites
were interesting, I felt that I could handle this project without a significant
financial investment. There are a number of sites that offer valuable and detailed
advice - free of charge. The poster that I presented at NEAIR was actually constructed
using a PowerPoint template reformatted for a larger presentation. There are also
several websites that provide examples of good, and less than stellar, examples
of presentations.
Quick Tips for Creating Effective Posters
- Be Concise
There are many things to consider when creating a poster. One must determine how
much detail should be included. You can easily run the risk of including too much
text, defeating the purpose of a poster presentation. Conversely, the poster can
have too many graphics and lack substance. There is a balancing act to providing
the viewer with an eye pleasing and informative design. When constructing a poster
it is important to be concise. Rather than paragraphs of text, use bullet points
or charts when appropriate.
- Tell a Story
Your poster presentation should clearly define your subject matter and purpose,
as well as findings. The reader/viewer should be able to discern a logical progression
in the poster.
- Use Graphics Effectively
Graphics are an important component, but should clearly tie into the text. One major
consideration when constructing a poster presentation is the use of white space.
It is important to avoid the tendency to fill the poster with an abundance of text
and graphics. Without sufficient white space, the viewer may become distracted from
the important information or have difficulty processing it.
- Font Size
On a practical note, when using graphics, make sure that they have a high level
of resolution. Make sure that you use a large font size, 24 point or greater, so
that readers do not have to strain to read the information.
Helpful Web Sites: