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

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

Paper versus speech versus poster: Different formats for

communicating researchJane E. Miller, PhD


Overview

• Three formats for communicating research results

• Comparison of:– Format– Audience interaction– Contents


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


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


Comparison of format


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.


Aspects that differ across formats

• Type of communication• Extent of audience interaction• Who controls the pace• Form• Length• Style• Formatting


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.


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.


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


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


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


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


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)


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


Comparison of contents


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


Purpose of the introduction

• Provides a summary of the issue and its importance

• Specifies the authors’ research question or hypothesis.


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


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.


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


Purpose of the data and methods

• Provides information on:– Data sources– Study design– Variables– Statistical methods– Model specifications


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


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.


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


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


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


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.


Suggested resources

• Chapter 20 in Miller, J.E., 2013. The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, 2nd Edition.

• Miller, J. E. 2007. “Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters.” Health Services Research. 42 (1 Part I): 311–28.


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


Suggested practice exercises• Study guide to The Chicago Guide to Writing

about Multivariate Analysis, 2nd 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

Documents

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