PURE 2016 Poster Information
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PSYCHOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EVENT (PURE 2016):
INFORMATION BOOKLET
Thank you for participating in the Psychology Undergraduate Research Event (PURE). This event
provides an opportunity for 4th-year undergraduate honours students to share their capstone
projects with fellow students, members of the Department, and the University community. We
also encourage you to invite the friends and family members who provided valuable support
throughout your program. To assist with the process of poster construction, please review the
following:
WHAT IS THE LOCATION AND FORMAT OF THE EVENT?
PURE 2016 will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2016 on the 2nd floor of the Residence Commons
expansion (room 270).
Time
Activity
1:45-3:00
Honours Project Poster Presentations – Session 1
3:15-4:30
Honours Project Poster Presentations – Session 2
4:30-4:45
Honours Project Poster Awards Ceremony
5:00-6:30
Honours Thesis Poster Presentations
6:30-6:45
Honours Thesis Poster Awards Ceremony
Each Honours Thesis student (PSYC 4907/4908) will present from 5:00-6:30pm. Most Honours
Project students (PSYC 4909/4910) will be assigned a specific 75-minute time slot from 1:45 to
4:30, but some will present during the last period held from 5:00 to 6:30.
Each presenter will prepare a poster and affix all materials to a tri-fold display board. The board
will rest on a display table. Your table number will be provided shortly before the day of the
event. Aim to arrive at least 10 minutes early so that you have adequate time for setup. Should
you wish to arrive well in advance, a poster drop-off area will be provided at the event site.
Members of the audience will move between the posters and will occasionally ask questions
about the work. Aim to stand just off to the side, as you don’t want to be blocking your display.
Consider developing brief (30 seconds) and longer (1-3 minutes) verbal descriptions of the
project, as it’s common for audience members to ask general questions such as, “could you tell
me about your research?” There will be pauses in the action and these provide a perfect
opportunity for you browse the other posters, meet other presenters, and learn more about
the work of your colleagues. While doing so, always be mindful of any new activity around your
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poster.
When not presenting, Honours Project students will be expected to peer review the work of
colleagues in other sections of the course. Students will be provided with 3 feedback sheets and
these should be completed and returned to a dropbox located at the event. More details will be
made available in class.
If using Twitter to share photos and comments, please use #CU@PURE.
WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE EVENT?
The audience will consist of fellow Thesis and Project students, undergraduate and graduate
students, instructors, staff, members of the university community, family, and friends. If it
helps, think 3P: Professors, Peers, and Parents.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE DISPLAY BOARD?
Each presenter will be provided with one presentation board (white), free of charge. Honours
Thesis students may obtain their boards from the Psychology Undergraduate Office (B550 Loeb)
during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30) between now and the
event. Honours Project students will receive information in class regarding how to obtain a
board. Poster boards will not be available for pickup on the day of the event. The board is yours
to keep.
Honours Thesis students should consult with their advisor on how to approach poster
construction. In addition, the Thesis course supervisor will be holding a special class session
devoted to PURE. Project students should discuss all requirements with their course instructor
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and TAs. For a sampling of previous posters, please access the photo galleries for PURE 2015,
PURE 2014, PURE 2013.
WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD APPEAR ON MY BOARD?
Honours Thesis posters generally have the same components as a journal article: Title, author
and advisor information, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, and references.
However, you are not required to use these headings. Discuss strategy with your advisor.
Honours Project students will be receiving information in class and should make sure to review
the feedback rubric associated with this assignment.
Posters are an efficient method of conveying information about your research. As a general
rule, don’t expect anyone to spend longer than 3 minutes reading your poster. Therefore,
posters should be constructed in a way that allows audience members to read and process the
material within this time period. Seek to promote conversation by giving just enough
information and visuals to interest the audience. In other words, keep it short and simple.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT POSTER LAYOUT AND FORMAT?
Here are some general suggestions:
Start with a template in PowerPoint or iWork. You may also use these or other programs to
create a custom design. Plus, it’s easy to convert these documents to PDF, which is the
preferred format of most printing services.
Divide the board into easily identifiable sections. Aim to create a logical reading flow and to
incorporate the use of headings. Use columnar format, so the reader proceeds vertically first,
from top to bottom, then left to right. Using this format permits several people to be reading
your display at the same time. Consider numbering the individual poster pieces (1, 2, 3,... ) so
that the reading sequence is obvious to all.
Use standard fonts and make sure the words contrast easily with the background. Therefore,
avoid a dark or very bright background. In terms of font size, make sure that all text is easily
visible from at least 6 feet. Use a larger font size for titles and headings.
Enhance the appeal of your board via the use of graphics, pictures, and other visual elements.
Make sure that any graphics are well-positioned, nicely sized, of high quality, and at least 300
dpi. Note that some web graphics become pixelated (i.e., jagged edges) when printed at 600dpi
or higher.
Avoid cheesy or gratuitous graphics. Instead, remember that all graphics should promote
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engagement, understanding, and visual appeal.
You may decide to include the Carleton University Logo on your board (scroll down the Carleton
Newsroom page). If using figures, aim to include a clear legend.
Use colour in your poster, but be careful. Colour attracts attention (good!) but can detract from
your message when misused (bad!). Note that fluorescent colours and excessive variations
(e.g., the rainbow look) can overwhelm the viewer and compete with your message.
Use high quality paper and a high quality printer. If you are looking to protect the materials
and afford a different finish, consider having your work laminated. You might also decide to
have your work professionally printed (see below for a list of options).
Keep your title short, snappy, and on target. The title needs to attract attention and highlight
your subject matter, but should not state your conclusions. Also remember that you are dealing
with limited space. Note that titles in capital letters are more difficult to read.
Make sure your poster is pleasant to look at. By attending to the elements above, you will
increase the chances of presenting a high-quality poster.
Start early. It will take more time than you think to experiment with different fonts, sizes,
colours, graphics and layouts before you find what you are looking for. Aim to receive early
feedback from your Thesis advisor, lab partners, or Project colleagues.
Determine how you want to affix the poster materials to the board. Depending on the
condition and quality of the paper, you might consider double-sided tape, Velcro poster
hangers, glue, tacks, pushpins, or spray mount (artist's adhesive). The best spray mounts allow
you to reposition the segments without damaging any of the materials. Make sure to keep an
emergency supply of adhesives close at hand, as it’s not unusual for the poster to experience
issues during transportation to the event.
WHAT ABOUT THE AWARDS?
Presenters will have an opportunity to earn one of several awards and prizes. Criteria for
evaluation will include factors such as quality of content, clarity of information, visual appeal of
materials, and effective use of graphics. The judging panels typically include departmental
faculty and previous award winners.
WHERE CAN I HAVE MY POSTER PRINTED?
There are a number of printing services available for those constructing a large, single panel
poster. No matter which service you choose, make sure to follow all of their instructions. Note
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that most printers prefer to receive a PDF file, as opposed to PowerPoint or Keynote. Also make
sure to adjust the dimensions in your file to match the sizing of the desired output (e.g., 36”H x
48”W or whatever dimensions are required by the printing service). Finally, please respect the
requested lead-time that has been indicated by each printer.
Printing Service
Poster
Dimensions
36”H x 48”W
$70*
3-5 days.
Codes Pro Media
and Print
36”H x 48”W
$60*
Same day
service, but
avoid lastminute.
Staples
36”H x 48”W
(custom size)
~$70*
Carleton's
GLEL
Geometrics and
36”H x 42”W
Landscape Ecology
Research Lab (GLEL)
GLEL*
See store.
Watch for sales.
One-hour
express
available at
extra charge.
GLEL
Carleton Print Shop
Cost
Lead-time
Contact
[email protected]
102 Robertson Hall.
Mention PURE poster event.
John at
[email protected]
710 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa.
613-234-7574.
Mention Dept. of PSYC.
Staples.ca
GLEL
333 Nesbitt Building
Mention Dept. of PSYC and
PURE poster event.
*Approximate prices. If you choose to use Carleton’s Geometric Landscape Ecology and Research Lab, please
follow the instruction given to you by Adelle Forth or the person responsible for your Project class.
You will be affixing your poster to the tri-fold board that has been provided and this board will
be resting on a table at the event. Therefore, you'll need to make sure that your completed
poster board is stable. If you run into any issues with this process, let us know and we'd be
happy to help you problem-solve.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Good question! This is an academic conference, so you'll want to look professional. It warrants
mentioning that we'll be taking plenty of pictures at the event and would be happy to take a
snapshot of you with your Thesis advisor, Project instructor, favourite faculty member, etc.
PURE 2016 Poster Information
WHAT IF I’M NERVOUS ABOUT PARTICIPATING?
It’s natural to be apprehensive about sharing your work with others, especially in a public
forum. However, you will be practicing an important skill and doing so alongside very
supportive colleagues and a curious audience. Students have told us that participating in PURE
is a positive, valuable, and fun experience (and the line on your CV doesn’t hurt either).
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Should you have any questions about the event, please contact [email protected].
Thesis advisors and Project course instructors / TAs are also available to support your efforts.
Know that we'll be sending periodic updates in advance of the event. We’re looking forward to
seeing you and your work.
REFERENCES
Block, S.M. (1996). Do’s and don’ts of poster presentation. Biophysical Journal, 71, 3527-3529.
Logan, J. (2012, April 2). So you want to make a poster? Presentation offered to participants in
the 2012 Psychology Undergraduate Research Event.
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