Creating an Effective Research Poster: A Step-by-Step Guide

Assignment Directions:
Week 3: Poster Project
During Week 2, we discussed some of the ways experts present their scientific research. This week, you will be using one of those types of presentations: the poster. Before you begin, make sure to review Week 2’s “Presenting a Poster” section. Also, make sure to read Week 3’s course content. Make sure to pay special attention to the information about the hypotheses and research question.
Next, choose one of the articles from the list below, and read that article carefully. They have all been used in the course content. Your poster will present an analysis of the article you choose.
Articles:
Black, Drinane, and Akef article.pdf [PDF]
Gu, Guo, and Wang article.pdf [PDF]
Guruprasad, Naresh, and Boggarapu article.pdf [PDF]
Lee and Lee article.pdf [PDF]
Machado, de Oliveira, Peregrina, and Cantilino article.pdf [PDF]
Raimbault, Cointet, and Joly article.pdf [PDF]
Ren et al. article.pdf [PDF]
Villaverde article.pdf [PDF]
Zlitni et al. article.pdf [PDF]
Zhao et al. article.pdf [PDF]
Zhao, Dang, and Maes article.pdf [PDF]
Xin et al. article.pdf [PDF]
Your poster should point to the following components of your chosen article:
Title
Author(s)
Research study elements
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Conclusions
Discussion
Affiliation, acknowledgement, and, if applicable, funding source
Note – your chosen article may NOT have all of these elements, and that is fine. Just point it out somewhere in your poster when any elements are missing.
If you need help developing your poster, please view this link: NYU Design Tips [webpage]. The link gives tips that might help you. It also has some sample poster templates that could be of use.
NOTE: You can use any number of programs for this assignment (Canva, PowerPoint, Preview, Freeform), but please save your poster as a PDF. Include your name in the file name for your poster: SamSmithENGL221PosterProject.
*Please note: In the rubric, the references to “website” equals your “poster.”
Submission Instructions:
A 3–5-page Word Document
Must include a title page, abstract, and references. These are not counted in the page count/slide count.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your poster project easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Poster

1. Choose Your Article:
   • First, review the list of articles provided. Choose one article that interests you or aligns with your research. Read it thoroughly, focusing on the key sections (e.g., Introduction, Results, etc.) to understand the study and its findings.
2. Organize Your Poster Sections:
   • Title: Clearly state the title of the article at the top of your poster. This will immediately inform viewers about the focus of the research.
   • Author(s): List the authors involved in the research. This helps acknowledge the contributors to the study.
   • Research Study Elements: Create a section for each of the following:
     • Introduction: Briefly summarize the background and purpose of the research. Why is this study important?
     • Materials and Methods: Highlight the tools, instruments, and procedures used in the study. This could be a brief summary of the experimental design.
     • Results: Present key findings from the study. You may want to use charts, graphs, or bullet points to clearly display results.
     • Conclusions: Provide a short overview of what the researchers concluded from their findings.
     • Discussion: Explain the implications of the results, what the authors suggest for future research, or any limitations noted.
   • Affiliation, Acknowledgement, Funding Source: If available, include the institution the research was affiliated with, acknowledgements, and funding information.
3. Design Your Poster:
   • Layout: Use a simple, organized layout that guides the viewer’s eye from section to section. Ensure that each part of the article is clearly visible and easy to follow.
   • Fonts: Use legible fonts, with clear headings for each section. Keep the text minimal—your poster should convey key points without overwhelming the viewer.
   • Graphics: Incorporate relevant images, graphs, or charts that help visualize the data or findings from the article. If your article includes any visuals, you can incorporate them into the design.
   • Color Scheme: Use a clean and professional color scheme that enhances readability (e.g., muted background with contrasting text).
4. Use Design Tools:
   • You can use programs like Canva, PowerPoint, Preview, or Freeform to design your poster. These tools offer templates and easy-to-use design features.
   • If you’re using Canva, for example, browse through the template library and pick one that works best for your article. Customize it to fit the content you’re presenting.
5. Export and Save as PDF:
   • Once your poster is complete, save it as a PDF. Ensure the file name includes your name, like this: SamSmithENGL221PosterProject.pdf.
6. Review:
   • Double-check your poster for clarity, accuracy, and overall design. Make sure that it flows logically and presents the article’s content in a visually engaging way.

By following these steps, you’ll create a polished and effective research poster that highlights the key components of your chosen article. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll have a clear and professional presentation in no time!