Guidelines

• The abstract must contain the problem being studied and its resulting thesis, research question, or hypothesis.
• The abstract must contain a brief statement of the methodology and must include statistics (where appropriate).
• Essential results must be present in summary form (even if preliminary). Do not state, for example, “Results will be discussed.” (Required only for completed projects.)
• The abstract must contain conclusions, discussions, implications, and recommendations, if any.
• Abstracts that show lack of care or quality control as evidenced by grammatical punctuation, spelling, and typographical errors will be reviewed less favorably. Work must be proofread carefully before submission.
• Abstracts should contain a minimum of 150 words and a maximum of 250 words.

All abstract submissions will be reviewed according to the criteria outlined above. Please note that there will be no appeals process or opportunity to resubmit once an abstract has not been accepted.

Posters have become an increasingly popular method for presentation of research at scientific meetings, as they promote greater interaction between the researcher and other scientists. A properly constructed poster can be used repeatedly, and become part of a long-term display.

• Limit the size of your poster to 4’ high x 8’ wide.
• Include the abstract title, author name[s], and the institution where the work was completed in large letters centered at the top of the poster. Place your address, phone, and email address in the upper right-hand corner.
• Place a reproduction of the abstract in the upper left side of the poster, and use the headings introduction, methods, results, and conclusions to identify your poster layout.
• Be sure to bring pushpins, thumbtacks or Velcro to mount your poster. These items will not be provided to you at the forum.
• As the presenter, be certain that you are at the assigned space during the designated time to discuss the work presented.

Posters should stimulate discussion. Therefore, keep text to a minimum.
Emphasize graphics and assure that every item included is necessary.

• Distribute handouts to supplement your poster.
• As a rule of thumb, use a font size of at least 14 point and double space. Materials must be easily read at a distance of 4 feet. Ordinary type or carelessly prepared handwritten copy is unacceptable.
• Place related materials (e.g. photo with accompanying text) close together, and highlight it by framing with blank space.
• Space your information proportionally: divide your poster either horizontally or vertically into three or four sections, and place your materials within those spaces.
• When choosing a background, remember that neutral or gray colors will be easier on the eyes than bright colors. In addition, color photos look best when mounted on gray.

The graphics you project on the screen to support the spoken word should help clarify ideas, emphasize key points, show relationships, and provide the visual information your audience needs to understand your message. Please see the recommendations below:

• Keep visuals clear and simple. Abbreviate your message.
• Avoid the overuse of too many colors, patterns, and graphics in one frame.
• Use a minimum of words for text and title frames. Five to eight lines per frame and five to seven words per line are the maximum—less is better.
• Upper and lower case lettering is more legible than all capital letters.
• Vary the size of lettering to emphasize headings and subheadings, but avoid using more than three font sizes per frame.
• Use easy-to-read font styles such as Helvetica.
• Try to maintain the same or similar type font size from frame to frame. Even if some frames have less copy than others, avoid the “lonely” word on a screen.
• Contrasting colors work best. Use a dark background color with lighter color for text and graphics.
• Highlight your main point or heading with a dominant color (example: yellow heading, white body copy).
• Avoid intensely bright colors that compete with the text.
• Keep color scheme consistent throughout your presentation. Changing colorings and type styles can be confusing and will distract from your message.
• In addition to the use of graphics, photographs can provide an excellent means for communication. Combined with simple straightforward graphics, illustrations, cartoons and artwork, the photographs will bring another dimension to your presentation.

Students giving oral presentations are expected to use PowerPoint. All rooms have been equipped to handle this requirement. Students do not need to bring their own equipment, such as laptops, etc. (If students wish to bring laptops, they may!) Presentations will run 15 – 20 minutes (no longer than this) so that time will be left for audience questions and dialogue. A paper presented in this time frame, would be approximately 10 – 12 double spaced, typewritten pages. Sessions have been set up so that 3 presenters will speak during each session. (We have tried to arrange this as much as possible.) If you have any questions or concerns, please call 202-806-6700 or send email to mahmed@howard.edu.