This document provides instructions for students to create a research poster and presentation based on the research proposal they developed in the previous semester. Students must submit a 200-300 word abstract of their poster by August 12th that follows a specific format. They will then design, print, and present a research poster by the due date. The poster must be in A1 size and portrait orientation, and include sections on the research problem, aim, methodology, results, and references. Guidelines are provided on software, printing, layout, and examples of sample posters.

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POSTER PRESENTATION 2011
BTech: Research Methodology
M. Weideman 19 July 2011
0. BACKGRUND
In Semester 1 you completed a research planning exercise. The main output of this task was in the form of a
research proposal. In this semester you will continue to the next phases of the research cycle viz. data
collection, data-analysis and interpretation, and research reporting. The research reporting will be in the
form of a research poster. Note that the research poster serves as a reporting tool which encapsulates the
entire research process. Thus your research findings and conclusions will also be included in the poster.
Some of the components of the poster such as title, background, research design and methods have already
been completed in your research proposal. You will need to ensure that you update these based on the
marks which were awarded for the proposal.
You must:
- submit a poster abstract,
- prepare and present a research poster, and
- do a team presentation.
1. SPECIFICATION
Firstly, you must send an email to the lecturer before Friday 22 July, clearly stating the following:
Your poster title, plus the names, student numbers and email addresses of all the team members.
Both the abstract, the poster and the presentation must be done with the same groups which developed the
research proposal.
YOU MAY NOT FORM NEW GROUPS AT THIS POINT.
YOU MAY ALSO NOT DEVELOP A POSTER ON A NEW TOPIC.
YOU MUST CONTINUE WITH THE WORK WHICH WAS PLANNED IN THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL.
a. Abstract. You have to submit a 200 to 300 word abstract, as a single-page Word document, on
your poster before or on Friday 12 August 2011 (14:00) to weidemanm@cput.ac.za. This will count
as part of the marks earned for the subject. Use the supplied example for guidance on the five
headings – see p31 in the Reader. Your abstract must have the same headings. Since you do not
have results at this stage, for the purposes of the abstract you should make up results, based on
your expectation, and also base your conclusion on these imaginary results. The purpose of the
abstract is to help you think about your poster contents, so the actual results are not important at this
stage. Submit your abstract containing ONLY: your poster title right at the top, your surname(s) and
student number(s) below that, and the text of the abstract. No title page or declarations are
necessary for the abstract.
b. Poster. Design, print and submit a research poster (A1 size, portrait orientation, in full colour) by the
due date. The content of the poster should depict the research and outputs which you are
undertaking, based on the research proposal which was submitted at the end of Semester 1. You
should consult with the
relevant lecturers in terms
of content, and with Prof
Weideman regarding layout
and design of the poster.
Use the supplied notes and
examples for ideas, and spend
time viewing the example
posters on the website
supplied under point 4c. below
to assist you with ideas on
both content and design.

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c. Software. You may use any design program you wish, but do not spend a large amount of time
learning a new graphic design program, sacrificing quality content in the process. PowerPoint works
fine, as long as you set the page size (A1 portrait in this case) correctly right at the start. If you do
not, pixellation will occur when printing, and a poster which looks fine on the screen will be a disaster
on paper. Also consider the problems you might experience if you use some exotic or unknown
program: your lecturer might not have that program to view and comment on your poster, and, even
worse, the printing shop you will be using might be incapable of printing your poster for the same
reason. As discussed: the following should not give pixellation problems: text box contents, Excel
graphs (not images!) and high resolution (300 dpi or more) pictures and images.
d. Printing. You can print your poster at any supplier that can do A1 colour printing, or use the CPUT
printing service. Just about every shopping centre has a few of these (see examples below). It is
suggested that you start the printing cycle at least 1 week before the due date, at the latest. If you
start hunting for a printing shop that can help you on the day before submission, you will probably
not be able to submit in time! Try to do at least one pilot printout (black & white, maybe A3 or A2
size) to ensure that sides are not cut off, pixellation does not occur, etc. Prices vary widely,
depending on whether you specify normal typing paper (acceptable for this project), photographic
paper, or other speciality papers.
If using the CPUT printers, allow one week for printing, also allow a 10mm border around your A1
image. A1 Poster (colour printing only) is currently R75. Please find out how the system works well
before the time – you have to pay in the correct amount at the cashiers before collecting your poster,
etc. You might also want to have your poster plastic coated to prevent smudging or tearing at extra
cost.
City:
Gardens Centre: Wizardz.inc (461 9334). Waterfront: Wizardz.inc (419 7153).
North:
Tygervalley Centre: Digital Photo (914 1316).
Canal Walk: Agfa Image Centre (555 1766). Kodak Express (551 8614).
South:
Cavendish Square: Photo Connection (6741796). Tokai: Wizardz.inc (715 8420).
CPUT:
Room 3.89, Engineering Building (printing lab, open till 18:00, 5 days per week).
2. SUBMISSION
The poster abstract must be emailed to the lecturer as stated above. The actual poster must be put up for
evaluation in October 2011. Each team must do a shared presentation on the poster content according to the
schedule at this same evaluation session. More detail will be given later.
3. POSTER LAYOUT
Your poster must contain the following:
• A title, clearly listing the registered title, the team names their affiliation (CPUT logo).
• The research problem and the main question that you set out to answer.
• The main aim and objective of the study.
• A methodology section that explains the basis of the technique that you are using or the procedure
that you have adopted in your study.
• A results section that you use to show pertinent aspects of your data and the important findings
and conclusions of your study.
• References used, listing according to the Harvard standard.
A text-only poster will be boring and difficult to read, while only graphics allow you no place to explain and
support your ideas. Try to find a mixture between text and graphics which is pleasing to read, not boring but
also not overwhelming. Use colour to maximize effect, but not to the point of making the poster look cheap or
unprofessional.

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4. NOTES
The discussions in class about poster design and layout are the basis of this session. The content of the 3
websites (a b and c) below are part of this discussion.
a. http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/infolit/poster.htm
b. http://chemistry.library.wisc.edu/writing/poster-guidelines.html
c. To view and download some sample posters and abstracts:
1. Go to www.book-visibility.com
2. Click on “Website Visibility Publication Library” bottom left.
3. Click on “Register”, and register to become a member (once-off, no email address required).
4. Then login as a member, and select “Request Report” at bottom.
5. Select “Titles of Poster Only” at bottom, and click on “Generate Report”.
6. All posters in the Library will be displayed at the bottom.
7. Click on any one at a time, then you can view the abstract and/or download a copy of the poster
itself.
What is a poster?
A poster is simply a static, visual medium (usually of the paper and board variety) that you use to
communicate ideas and messages. The difference between poster and oral presentations is that you should
let your poster do most of the 'talking'; that is, the material presented should convey the essence of your
mini-research project.
You therefore have to present certain pieces of information but have limited space. So, before you rush
away to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, spend some time to plan your poster. This is very important.
Unlike oral presentations, where some ultra-smooth talkers may be able to divert attention from a poorly
planned presentation, with posters, poor planning is there for all to see!
o Plan upfront!!!
o Decide on central idea/Title/visual that will be the main “attractor” of the poster.
o Simplicity is the key
o Don’t try to crowd the poster. Make careful choices on the content.
o Keep in mind the “eye movement” – which way does the “story” flow.
o Be innovative!!! Use graphics (combined with text) to tell the story. The story is told is visual format
(graphics + text). Maintain a good balance between text and visuals
o Ensure that key elements of the research are incorporated.
o Remember that all elements of the poster should be readable from about a 1m to 2m distance.

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