How to Create a Research Poster in PowerPoint

SmithInstituteJCSU
18 Feb 202118:00
EducationalLearning
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TLDRDr. Tara Vandel from the Smith Institute for Applied Research at J CSU guides students on creating a poster presentation in PowerPoint. She covers adjusting slide size to academic conference standards, deleting default content, and using guides for layout. The tutorial includes creating a header, dividing the poster into columns, and adding sections like abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Dr. Vandel also demonstrates adding graphics, logos, and SmartArt to enhance visual appeal, ensuring a professional and informative poster.

Takeaways
  • 📐 Start by adjusting the PowerPoint slide size to 38 inches wide by 36 inches tall, which is the standard size for academic conferences.
  • 🖥️ Use the 'Design' tab to change the slide size and ensure consistency with the academic community's expectations.
  • 🗑️ Delete any existing content and formatting to start with a clean slate for your poster design.
  • 📏 Turn on guides and rulers to help with layout and alignment, ensuring a professional and centered appearance.
  • 🏷️ Create a header for the poster using a textbox and format it to be three inches by forty-six and a half inches, setting the stage for your presentation.
  • 🔠 Use appropriate font sizes for the title (72 points) and author's name and institution (48 points), and remember to capitalize properly.
  • 📝 Organize the poster content into sections with headings such as Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion, using a three-column layout for clarity.
  • 🎨 Choose a consistent color scheme for the poster, including the use of dark blue for headers and lighter shades for text boxes and SmartArt.
  • 📈 Include visual elements like the university logo, pictures, SmartArt, tables, and charts to enhance the poster and make it more engaging.
  • 🔄 Use copy and paste techniques to maintain consistency in text boxes and formatting across different sections of the poster.
  • 📚 Don't forget to include a bibliography section for cited works and acknowledgments for any funding or support received for the research.
Q & A

  • What is the standard size for an academic conference poster as mentioned in the script?

    -The standard size for an academic conference poster is 38 inches wide by 36 inches tall.

  • How can you adjust the size of a PowerPoint slide according to the script?

    -You can adjust the size of a PowerPoint slide by going to the 'Design' tab, clicking on 'Page Setup', and then setting the dimensions to 38 inches by 36 inches.

  • What is the recommended font size for the poster title according to the script?

    -The recommended font size for the poster title is 72 points.

  • How should the name and institution be formatted in the poster header?

    -The name and institution should be formatted in a smaller font size, specifically 48 points, and should be centered.

  • What is the purpose of turning on guides in PowerPoint when creating a poster?

    -Guides help with the layout of the poster, ensuring that elements are centered and aligned properly.

  • How many columns are recommended for the poster layout in the script?

    -The script recommends creating a three-column layout for the poster.

  • What is the recommended font size for the body text of the poster?

    -The recommended font size for the body text of the poster is 28 points.

  • How can you ensure that the text boxes are aligned properly in the poster?

    -You can ensure that text boxes are aligned properly by using the guides and rulers in PowerPoint, as well as by selecting and moving them with the cursor.

  • What is the recommended method for resizing images or logos in the poster without distorting them?

    -To resize images or logos without distortion, hold the 'Shift' key while dragging from the corner to scale the image proportionally.

  • How can you insert and resize a SmartArt graphic in the poster?

    -You can insert a SmartArt graphic by going to the 'Insert' tab and selecting 'SmartArt'. After choosing a graphic, you can resize it by grabbing the corners while holding 'Shift' to maintain the aspect ratio.

  • What is the suggested method for adding a table to the poster in PowerPoint?

    -To add a table to the poster, go to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Table', and then resize it to fit within the columns of the poster layout.

  • How can you insert a chart into the poster presentation in PowerPoint?

    -You can insert a chart by going to the 'Insert' tab and selecting 'Chart'. This will link to an Excel spreadsheet where you'll create the chart.

Outlines
00:00
📐 Setting Up Poster Presentation in PowerPoint

Dr. Tara Vandel introduces the process of creating a poster presentation in PowerPoint. She begins by adjusting the slide size to the standard academic conference dimensions of 38 inches by 36 inches. She also explains how to delete existing content and formatting, and how to turn on guides for layout assistance. The focus is on starting with a clean slate and setting up the basic structure of the poster, including the header and three columns for content.

05:01
🖥️ Designing the Poster Layout with Columns and Headers

This paragraph details the steps to create a three-column layout for the poster presentation. Dr. Vandel demonstrates how to insert and adjust shapes to form columns, ensuring they are centered and properly aligned. She also shows how to format the header, including changing the font size, color, and style. The process involves copying and pasting shapes to create a consistent layout and adjusting the text boxes for subheadings such as 'Abstract', 'Introduction', 'Research Statement', 'Study Area', 'Methods', 'Results', and 'Conclusion/Discussion'.

10:05
📚 Organizing Content and Adding Graphics

In this section, Dr. Vandel emphasizes the importance of organizing the content within each section of the poster. She advises on the use of 28-point font for the body text and 36-point font for section headings. She also demonstrates how to add graphics, such as the JC SU logo, by dragging and dropping from a file or using the insert tab in PowerPoint. Additionally, she shows how to use SmartArt to illustrate processes in the 'Methods' section and how to insert and format tables and charts.

15:08
🔍 Finalizing the Poster Presentation

The final paragraph covers the finishing touches for the poster presentation. Dr. Vandel discusses the inclusion of a bibliography section for cited works and a funding acknowledgments section for any research support. She also highlights the importance of consistency in formatting, such as using the same font sizes and colors throughout the poster. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to ensure that all sections are visually appealing and aligned, and an invitation for any questions or further assistance from the Smith Institute for Applied Research at J CSU.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a widely used presentation software developed by Microsoft. In the video, it is the primary tool for creating a poster presentation. The script mentions adjusting the slide size, formatting text, and adding various elements like graphics and tables, all of which are common tasks in PowerPoint.
💡Slide Size
Slide size refers to the dimensions of a PowerPoint slide. In the context of the video, the presenter adjusts the slide size to 38 inches wide by 36 inches tall, which is a standard size for academic conferences. This adjustment is crucial for ensuring that the poster can be printed at the correct dimensions.
💡Design Tab
The Design Tab in PowerPoint is where users can access various design and layout options for their slides. In the script, the presenter uses the Design Tab to adjust the slide size and format the presentation, emphasizing its importance in customizing the poster presentation.
💡Text Box
A text box in PowerPoint is a container for text that can be moved and resized independently of the slide. The script describes creating and formatting text boxes for the header, subheadings, and body text of the poster, demonstrating how they are used to organize and present information.
💡Font Size
Font size determines the size of the text in a presentation. The video script mentions setting the title font size to 72 and the body text to 28, with some sections like the abstract using a larger size of 36. Adjusting font size is essential for readability and visual hierarchy in a poster presentation.
💡Columns
Columns in a PowerPoint presentation help organize content into separate sections. The script describes creating three columns for the poster, which is a common layout for dividing information into manageable parts, such as abstract, introduction, methods, results, and conclusion.
💡Header
The header in a presentation is the top section that typically contains the title and other introductory information. In the video, the presenter creates a header using a text box and adjusts its size and font to make it prominent, setting the stage for the rest of the poster content.
💡SmartArt
SmartArt in PowerPoint is a feature that allows users to create graphical representations of information, such as processes or hierarchies. The script mentions using SmartArt to illustrate the methods section of the poster, showing how it can visually represent complex information.
💡Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of sources cited in a research project. In the video, the presenter includes a section for the bibliography in the poster, highlighting the importance of acknowledging sources in academic presentations.
💡Funding Acknowledgments
Funding acknowledgments in a presentation are used to thank and recognize the financial support for a research project. The script mentions adding a section for funding acknowledgments, which is a common practice in academic and research presentations to show gratitude and transparency.
💡Graphics
Graphics in a presentation refer to visual elements like logos, pictures, and charts. The video script discusses adding the JC SU logo and other graphics to enhance the poster's visual appeal and convey information more effectively.
Highlights

Introduction to creating a poster presentation in PowerPoint by Dr. Tara Vandal from the Smith Institute for Applied Research at J CSU.

Adjusting PowerPoint slide size to 38 inches wide by 36 inches tall, the standard size for most academic conferences.

Deleting existing content and formatting to start with a clean slide.

Using guides and rulers to help with layout and centering elements on the poster.

Creating a header for the poster using a textbox and adjusting its size and font.

Adding author name and institution in a smaller font size below the title.

Designing a three-column layout for the poster using basic rectangle shapes.

Aligning columns and adjusting spacing for a visually appealing layout.

Adding subheadings for different sections of the poster, such as Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion, and Discussion.

Using 28-point font size for the body text and adjusting it to 36-point for section headings.

Including a bibliography section for cited works and funding acknowledgments.

Adding the JC SU logo to the poster header by dragging and dropping from a file.

Resizing and maintaining aspect ratio of images and logos using the shape format options.

Inserting smart graphics like process diagrams for the Methods section using SmartArt.

Customizing colors and styles of SmartArt to match the poster's design.

Inserting tables and charts directly into the poster to present data and information.

Final tips on ensuring visual consistency, alignment, and overall appeal of the poster presentation.

Transcripts

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PowerPoint TutorialAcademic PosterPresentation SkillsResearch InstituteLayout DesignFont SelectionSlide SizeContent OrganizationGraphic InclusionJCSUEducational Resource