Nursing Research Poster Presentation

Using a nursing research study assigned by the course instructor, create a poster presentation reflecting a synopsis of the study.  Presentation should summarize the introduction, background or literature review, methods, results, & conclusion of the assigned journal article.  Please note this is not an exercise in cutting & pasting.  Paraphrase content to reflect individual understanding of research study content.  Refer to the poster presentation tutorial provided in the Blackboard Course Content section for guidance. All posters shall be uploaded to the discussion board.

How to Create a Research Poster: Poster Basics

Posters are widely used in the academic community, and most conferences include poster presentations in their program.  Research posters summarize information or research concisely and attractively to help publicize it and generate discussion.  The poster is usually a mixture of a brief text mixed with tables, graphs, pictures, and other presentation formats.  PowerPoint is a popular and easy-to-use software platform to make a poster.  It is part Microsoft Office.

What makes a good poster? • Important information should be readable from about 10 feet away • Title is short and draws interest • Word count of 800 words or less • Text is clear and to the point • Use of bullets, numbering, and headlines make it easy to read • Effective use of graphics, color and fonts • Consistent and clean layout • Includes acknowledgments, your name and institutional affiliation

Poster Design Tips

• Use large text (your text should be at least 18-24 pt; headings 30-60 pt; title >72pt.) • Do not use more than 2-3 font styles total • Use fonts that are easy to read (such as Times New Roman, and Arial) • Avoid jagged edges: left-justify text within text boxes or fully justify blocks of text • Avoid too much text (no more than 800 words max) and undefined technical jargon • Choose colors carefully and pay attention to contrast.  If in doubt, dark print on light background is best. Remember – some colorblind people cannot distinguish between red and green. • Organize and align your content with columns, sections, headings, and blocks of text • White space is important to increase visual appeal and readability (this is the “empty” space between sections, columns, headings, blocks of text, and graphics). • Selectively incorporate charts, graphs, photographs, and key quotations from primary sources, maps, and other graphics that support the theme of your poster.  It is best to avoid using tables of data. • Avoid fuzzy images; make sure all graphics are high-resolution (at least 300ppi) and easily visible • Edit your poster carefully for typographic or grammatical mistakes and image quality before the final print-out (use the print-preview function)

Poster Review Checklist

• Does poster have enough white space? • Are the text and graphics legible? • Are the text and graphics consistent? • Is the flow of information logical? • Are the following identified: research question, methods, take-home message or conclusion? • Are the proper acknowledgments provided?