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  1. Research posters—the...
  2. Research posters—the way to display (2)
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Research posters—the way to display (2)

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7534.s29 (Published 21 January 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:s29
  1. Ellen McIntyre, senior research fellow
  1. Members of the Department of General Practice Writing Group at Flinders University provided advice during the writing of this paper.

Abstract

The display of research posters involves more than simply the provision of pin-up boards. In part two of our series, Belinda Lowcay and Ellen McIntyre advise conference organisers on how to make the most out of posters

Box 1: Reasons why conferences are providing more poster sessions

  • Informal sessions are popular with delegates1-2

  • They convey snapshots of information that can be followed up later, allowing more research to be presented in a short space of time

  • More abstracts are submitted to conferences. With the ever-increasing squeeze on budgets, delegates are often only funded to attend conferences if they are presenting1

  • Précis-poster sessions (where the author is allowed a short time to talk about the research) tend to be informal, more flexible, and can adopt interactive formats5

  • They can be less intimidating for presenters than paper presentations in front of large audiences6

Box 2: Displaying posters

  • Group together posters on similar themes

  • Ensure all delegates have access to all posters

  • Display the posters where the delegates will be gathering

  • Keep the posters on display for the duration of the conference

  • Ensure delegates will have enough time to view the posters

  • Do not position them too closely together

  • Display them in well lit areas

  • Request that authors stand by their poster during designated times, such as meal breaks

  • Promote the times when the authors will be available

Your role

As a conference convenor, you are providing one of the most valued opportunities for a two-way exchange of information between delegates, who are often from different sectors. If their ultimate aim is to improve health outcomes, your conference has a role to play in facilitating the provision of research and practice evidence to those most likely to implement that evidence and effect change.

Dissemination tools

Research posters and poster presentations can be a very efficient way to facilitate the dissemination of research findings. In the past, with more abstracts submitted than presentations available, convenors have often suggested that an abstract be accepted as a poster if it has not been accepted as a paper. In the authors' experience many people have therefore viewed posters as the “lost cousins” of papers. This view is changing, however, and people are beginning to recognise the value of posters in their own right.

Making the most of research posters at your conference

Specify guidelines for abstracts

Request that abstracts be submitted using a standard structure (eg type of research, completed or in-progress status, authors, objective, method, results, conclusions, implications etc.). This will make them easy to compare during the selection process.

Specify guidelines for posters

Decide what display will look best in your chosen conference venue and specify the size and orientation accordingly. Provide the authors with recommendations for poster development (see part one of this series).

Choose the type of posters

Different formats determine the types of display and/or presentation, the location of posters, the time required for posters to be displayed, and the viewing time allocated to delegates.

Talking posters

Précis-poster sessions (where the poster author gives a short verbal summary of the poster) can provide the opportunity for a two way process of exchanging information and knowledge.1-4 Depending on how many posters will be presented during the session, we have found that allocating five minutes per poster (three minutes presentation and two minutes for questions) allows the presenter to convey a couple of key messages from the poster. Ensure the delegates who do not attend the session also have access to these posters and have time to view them.

Figure1

Conference: a great place to share knowledge

Credit: BMA NEWS REVIEW

Poster prize

Awarding a poster prize for the best poster can help to promote the effective use of the visual medium, foster enthusiasm for disseminating research through posters, and recognise the effort involved in creating a poster. The prize can be awarded by a jury vote and/or by popular choice, with delegates voting during the conference. The jury should be chosen to represent the work sectors and interests of the delegates attending. Determine beforehand the criteria by which the posters will be judged (instructions for posters will guide the judging criteria).

After the conference ends

Providing post-conference access to the research posters, either on a website or in conference proceedings, allows delegates and non-attendees ongoing access to the researcher(s). ■

References

  1. ↵
    Lowcay B. Evaluation report: general practice and primary health care research conference 2004. Flinders University: Primary Health Care Research and Information Service, 2004. www.phcris.org.au/events/conference_frameset.html (accessed 27 May 2005).
  2. ↵
    Lowcay B. Conference evaluation report: general practice and primary health care research conference 2003. Flinders University: Primary Health Care Research and Information Service, 2004. www.phcris.org.au/events/archive_frameset.html (accessed 27 May 2005).
  3. Ceruti MG. Posters vs lectures. IEEE Potentials2000 August/September: 33-6.
  4. ↵
    Sherbinski LA, Stroup DR. Developing a poster for disseminating research findings. J Amer Assoc Nurse Anesth1992;60(6): 567-71.
  5. ↵
    Pellechia GL. Dissemination of research findings: Conference presentations and journal publications. Top Ger Rehab1999;14(3): 67-79.
  6. ↵
    Duke University, Alpha Omega Alpha Symposium. Posters and Powerpoint. http://presentations.mc.duke.edu/index.html (accessed 27 May 2005).
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