Guidelines For Contributions To Poster Sessions
Why A Poster?
The poster format is intended to facilitate presentation of experimental or research work, to relatively small groups of people, as an alternative to a full, formal presentation in front of a large audience. This is less intimidating for the presenter, allows the audience to gravitate towards work of specific interest to themselves and encourages an informal dialogue on a one-to-one basis, rather than in open forum in a lecture theatre. Work suitable for this medium may be self-contained, part of a larger project, or a preliminary communication about work yet to be completed or published.
Designing A Good Poster
A good poster conveys its message in a simple, clear and coherent fashion. It is readable, attractive, and easy to digest. Following these basic rules will help in the design of a good poster.
1. The poster must make sense. There should be no need for verbal explanation. The aims, methodology, results and conclusion of the research should therefore be clearly laid out in a logical fashion.
2. Keep written information to a minimum. After a clear and succinct introduction and a statement of the aims of the work, only minimal text should be used. Wherever possible use flow diagrams, tables, charts and pictorial material to convey the message. A written summary or conclusion should be as concise as possible.
3. Legibility is crucial. Posters must be easily read from a distance of a few feet. Avoid handwritten material. Photoenlargement of printed material, use of letraset, or large typeface "bulletin" typewriter copy, are all acceptable. Most hospital illustration departments will assist in the presentation.
4. If appropriate,a handout may be provided for interested delegates. Such a vehicle may allow fuller discussion of any complex sections of the work.
Mounting Your Poster can take more time than anticipated: Make sure that you have all the relevant material easily accessible when you arrive. Find out in good time what method of fixing will be provided by the conference organisers.
Some Practical Points For Poster Display
- Prepare a synopsis of your work for inclusion in an abstract booklet. Such information allows delegates to choose your poster for closer scrutiny.
- At GHP functions, poster sessions usually run concurrently with other events. Posters will be identified by a number in the upper left hand corner, this will coincide with the number in the abstract booklet.
- Poster boards are usually 6ft wide x 3ft high. Check the exact size with the organisers before you finalise your poster layout and design. Poster board colours also vary, you may care to check this detail if your poster is likely to be highly decorative.
- Information on how poster materials are to be fixed will be available from the organising committee. This may be by use of drawing pins, double-sided sticky tape, or velcro-type fixing. Find out in good time which system will be in use and, if necessary, inform your illustration department.
- A label or sign indicating the title and author(s) of the work should be prepared for mounting at the top of the poster. Lettering for this should be at least 1" high.
- Avoid mounting display material on heavy board which may be difficult to keep in position on the poster.
- Posters should be set up between defined times on the opening day of the session. Details will be available through the organising committee. It takes at least thirty minutes to mount a poster. Allow sufficient time.
- Contributors may find it useful, for discussion purposes, to have a pen and pad available to explain a point, or to note names of personnel interested in further information.
- If displayed as part of a poster session at a Guild function, posters must be removed by the end of the function.
References
1. Christine Clark `Putting together a poster display' In Practice - Issue 8 Jan-Mar 1983.
2. Doug Simmonds `How to Produce a Good Poster' Medical Teacher 6 No 1 1984 10-13
Example of an abstract