Paper versus speech versus poster Different formats for

Paper versus speech versus poster: Different formats for communicating research Jane E. Miller, Ph. D The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Overview • Three formats for communicating research results • Comparison of: – Format – Audience interaction – Contents The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Same project, different formats • A particular research project is often presented in several formats: – As a 20 -minute oral conference presentation – As a research poster – As a published journal article or report • Content will be similar The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Similarities between paper, speech, and poster • Basic story line describing and investigating a given research question • All include written elements • All include the same major sections – Introduction and literature review – Data and methods – Results – Discussion and conclusion The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Comparison of format The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences Between formats • Paper, poster, and speech formats are NOT interchangeable. – Don’t simply copy and paste paragraphs from the paper onto slides or poster pages. – Don’t lose out on opportunity to answer (and ask!) questions of viewers at poster session or presentation. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Aspects that differ across formats • • Type of communication Extent of audience interaction Who controls the pace Form Length Style Formatting The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Oral presentation materials: Speech versus poster • Speech: Speaker’s notes (script) – Full narrative script or – Selected reminders, coordinated with slides • Poster: – Few sentences summarizing main objectives and findings, spoken to each viewer. – Brief modules about each major section of the poster, selected in response to questions from individual viewers. – Few questions to ask viewers, e. g. , to solicit reactions to your findings, request ideas of research extensions. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Audience interaction: Speech versus poster • Speech: Questions and discussion from audience – Usually limited in a multipaper conference session – Can be extensive during a longer individual seminar – Questions from individuals after session • Poster: – One-on-one discussion with viewers. • Responses tailored in response to their questions. – Potentially extensive, depends on interests of viewers. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Pace, order, and detail of material • Speech – Speaker controls the order, pace, and detail at which material is delivered • Paper or poster – Audience controls the pace at which they receive material – Can read (or reread) material – Decide which material to focus on, which to skim The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Form and length • Paper – Printed pages • Research brief ~12– 15 double-spaced pages • Full research paper ~20– 30 double-spaced pages • Speech – Slides and handouts • 20 -minute conference presentation ~15– 20 slides • Poster – Printed pages and handouts • 8’ by 4’ poster ~20 pages The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Style • Paper – Full sentences and paragraphs – Formal essay structure • Speech – Bulleted phrases replace full sentences on slides – Full sentences in spoken narrative – Simplified tables and charts replace large detailed tables • Poster – – Full paragraphs in abstract Bulleted sentences in introduction and conclusion Bulleted phrases replace in data and methods and results Charts and tables replace large detailed tables The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Format: Type size • Paper § 12 point type for text, tables, charts • Speech slides § 18+ point type for body of slides, tables, charts § 40+ point type for titles • Poster § 14 point type for body of pages, tables, charts § 20+ point type for titles The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Format: Color • Paper – Usually limited to black type on white background • Speech slides – Dark background with light text OR clear background with dark text – Contrasting color for emphasis (e. g. , statistical significance) • Poster pages – Clear or pale colored background with dark color for most text – Contrasting color for emphasis (e. g. , statistical significance) The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Text cues to guide viewers • Paper – Subheadings within sections • Name subtopics within literature review or results • Speech – Slide titles • Integrate specific topic, purpose, or finding of each slide • Poster – Page titles • Integrate specific topic, purpose, or finding of each page The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Comparison of contents The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Common research presentation formats • These guidelines assume the following lengths: – Paper • 20+ page manuscript, double-spaced – Speech • 20 -minute conference presentation – Poster • 4’ by 8’ poster The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Purpose of the introduction • Provides a summary of the issue and its importance • Specifies the authors’ research question or hypothesis. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences between formats: Introduction • Paper – Several pages on the issue and its importance – End with research question or hypotheses • Speech – 1 -2 slides on the issue and its importance – End with 1 slide stating research question or hypotheses • Poster – 1 -2 pages on the issue and its importance – End with research question or hypotheses The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Purpose of the literature review • Provides a summary of previous studies on similar topics and methods. • Identifies gaps in the literature to be addressed by the current study. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences between formats: Literature review • Paper § Detailed review and summary of studies with similar • Topics • Methods § Provide a full list of citations at end of paper • Speech § 1– 2 slides of few key studies only • Tabular summary or bulleted text • Poster § 1 page on main points from few key articles The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Purpose of the data and methods • Provides information on: – Data sources – Study design – Variables – Statistical methods – Model specifications The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences between formats: Data and methods • Paper § Comprehensive, detailed information that would allow others to replicate the data collection, preparation, and analysis • Speech § 3 -4 slides presenting only essential information about study design, variables, and analytic plan • Poster § 2 -3 pages presenting essential information as for speech The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Purpose of the results section • Provides findings using: – Detailed statistical tables and charts – Accompanying prose describing research results. • Ask and answer the research question using numbers or other types of evidence. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences between formats: Results • Paper § Detailed statistical tables and charts § Prose descriptions of main findings in paragraph form • Speech § 4– 5 slides with simplified tables and charts, either • Bulleted text annotations, or • Described in speaker’s notes. § One major result (or set of related results) per slide • Poster § 4– 5 pages of simplified tables and charts with bulleted annotations – One major result or set of related results per page The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Purpose of the discussion and conclusions • Relates findings of current study to – Original research question or hypothesis – Previous related studies • Discusses – Policy implications of findings – Research strengths and limitations – Directions for future research The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Differences between formats: Discussion and conclusion • Paper – Several pages to discuss topics on above slide • Speech – One slide each of bulleted text for topics on above slide • Poster – 2– 3 pages total covering material on above slide The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Summary • The general content and structure of a paper, a speech, and a poster about the same research paper will be similar. • The three formats differ in terms of – Length – Form • Speeches and posters involve spoken material and live audience interaction. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Suggested resources • Chapter 20 in Miller, J. E. , 2013. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd Edition. • Miller, J. E. 2007. “Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters. ” Health Services Research. 42 (1 Part I): 311– 28. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Suggested online resources • Podcasts on – Planning a speech and designing effective slides – Overview of preparing and presenting effective research posters – Presenting statistical results to nonstatistical audiences The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.

Suggested practice exercises • Study guide to The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd Edition. – Problem sets for • chapter 19, questions #1, 3, 4, and 7 • chapter 20, question #3 – Suggested course extensions for • chapter 19 – “Writing” exercises #1 and 2 – “Revising” exercises #1 and 3 • chapter 20 – “Writing” exercise #2 – “Revising” exercise #1 The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2 nd edition.