At the conference, poster boards will be placed in the lobby of Schindler Education Center. Each poster space, 6' high by 4' wide, will be numbered. (Note: This is not the typical size for a conference poster; so if you are presenting your poster later at a regional or national conference, you may need to make some modifications). Upon check in, you will be given a number indicating your poster space.

Content:
A poster should be complete and self supporting so that different viewers may read at their leisure. The author should only need to supplement or discuss particular points raised during inquiry. Remember that several people with varying degrees of interest and experience may be viewing your poster at once. Therefore, make your points as complete and brief as possible.

Tours:
You should be prepared to give "tours" of your poster, as some people prefer this direct interaction with you.

Standard elements include:
Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results (with supporting figures), and a Conclusion or Summary. Remember to just cover the main points in each section. You can have more detail in your handout if you desire. Minimize narrative. Bullets are an effective way to get a lot of information across in a small amount of space. Utilize figures, photos and graphs to present relevant information. This also saves on space, makes your poster interesting and reduces narrative.

Style:
Construct a banner for the top of the poster with the title, author(s) and affiliation(s). Use fancy (yet legible) fonts, and university logos or stickers to dress up your banner. Do not simply pin up manuscript pages! Your font should be large (at least 26 point font) so people can read your poster from a comfortable 2-3 foot distance. Pictures, tables, graphs and figures and color anything are definite plusses to any poster. Use colored paper or colored poster board to offset white 8 ½ x 11 manuscript pages. You can also print out your poster on pre-printed stationary. Some people choose to use their school colors.

Format:
You can create your poster in landscape format in very small font (12 for title, 8 for text), to fit all on one page. Use the "column" option on your word processor to organize your poster, and the "border" options to separate sections. You can then have this page blown-up at a local printing/ copying store. Print out this page on a laser printer, because small imperfections from desk jets or other lower quality printers will be greatly magnified when it is blown up.

Poster Set Up:
A grid format arranged in columns is effective. This prevents viewers from having to cross back and forth in front of each other.

Cost:
Your entire poster can easily be created for around $5-$10 ($20 if it is your very first one and you have to buy some basic supplies). Poster board is typically around 40-50 cents per sheet. They are large and can be cut into 4 rectangular pieces. A packet of colored construction paper is around $2-$4. If you do the "blow-up" method, it costs approximately $6-$12 depending on the store you go to. Print shops often have a maximum limit of how big they can get your poster (3 feet by 4 feet at some stores, larger at others).

Supplies:
Push pins, spray adhesive or double sided tape, construction paper or poster board, stickers (optional), tube (if you are doing the blow-up method).

Time:
You will put up your poster as soon as you arrive in the morning. Your actual poster session will be 1.5 hours long, from 1:30-3:00pm. You are required to be present at your poster for that entire time, though feel free to leave for a few minutes to pick up your lunch. Remember, this is a time to meet people and show off your research, so it is to your benefit to be present at your poster.

Handouts:
Bring at least 20 copies. On your handout make sure to indicate your poster title, author(s) names, affiliation, the conference title and date, and whether or not the material can be quoted. A one page synopsis of your poster (a flyer) can be your handout. If you did the blow up method your original one page can be your handout.

Attire:
Dress professionally. If you have any doubt what this means talk to a trusted friend, advisor or professor.

References:
MacLin, M. K. (2000). Preparing conference poster presentations in psychology: Everything you need to know. Unpublished manuscript.

Solso, R. L., & MacLin, M. K. (2001). Experimental Psychology: A Case Approach (7th ed). Allyn & Bacon: Des Moines, IA.

Heatherton, T.F. (1999) Society for Personality and Social Psychology Poster Guidelines and Specifications.

Western Psychological Association Instructions for Delivering Presentations (1999).

For more information on making a poster presentation:
http://www.uni.edu/walsh/poster.html

CSBS-SRC Home