Creating a Research Poster as a Medical Student

Updated: December 16, 2024

Introduction

Many medical students engage in research during their education. While there are many different types of research studies, all research projects can be turned into research posters. Research posters offer a snapshot into the idea, creative process, and results of a project. These events offer great opportunities for students to strengthen their research backgrounds and gain presentation experience. It allows the audience to quickly grasp the key aspects of a study—such as its importance, methodology, results, and potential future directions. Students looking to take their research careers to the next level should begin looking into opportunities to create and present their projects at various conferences and competitions.

To effectively present a poster, students should understand how to create one. This article aims to help medical students navigate the process of designing a research poster. This includes organizing content to incorporate various visual elements.

Types of Research Poster Formats

Before diving into the details of each poster section, there are two distinct poster formats to cover: the traditional poster format and the “better poster” format. While the title of the “better poster” does imply that it may be better than the traditional format, there is no particular reason to choose one format over the other. Deciding which format to use may depend on personal preference and the specific guidelines of the research conference or competition.

Both contain similar content, including sections for introduction, methods, results, discussion, and citations, along with relevant figures and images. The main difference lies in the amount of content and level of detail being presented, which is driven by the design of each format. The “better poster” format, introduced in 2019, focuses on simplifying poster presentations by reducing the amount of text.1 It contains a large central column to show the main idea of the project and has two smaller side columns containing information on methods, results, and other relevant sections. This format encourages clarity and conciseness, allowing the audience to quickly grasp the key points.

In contrast, the traditional poster format offers increased space for explanations and visuals, allowing researchers to present their work in greater depth and detail. In contrast to the “better poster” format, the traditional design generally features three equal sized columns. Aesthetically, the two formats are quite different, and the decision of which to use depends on the presenter’s goals and the venue’s requirements. Ultimately, both formats cover the same essential sections but vary in how much content can be displayed.

Key Components

According to the American College of Physicians (ACP, an internal medicine organization) scientific research posters generally follow the IMRAD format. This stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.2 Each section of the poster provides vital information to the audience and other elements to consider are the title, authorship, citations, acknowledgments, and any relevant figures or images.

The title of the poster is one of the most important components of a research poster as it is sometimes the only thing a potential viewer will see as they pass by. Thus, having a title that conveys the significance of the project in a succinct fashion is important to capturing the audience’s attention. A well-formulated title is typically 7-10 words long and clearly displays the main findings of the research.3 For example, a title such as “Exposure to X Results in Increased Incidence of Condition Y” is concise, at 10 words, and effectively communicates that the poster will explore X exposure and its link to a specific condition Y. Overall the title should be engaging, informative, and capable of selling the central idea of the poster. Another important element that is found under the title is the author list. Authors are generally organized by contribution, with the faculty member or principal investigator who led the research usually listed at the end.

IMRAD defines what should be included in a research poster, and each section plays a critical role in presenting the research effectively.

The introduction section provides readers with the necessary background that helps set the stage. It allows the audience to better understand the project’s main idea and why the study is important. It also goes over any gaps in existing research or the need for increased awareness of the topic. Additionally, the introduction provides readers with further context on the topic, citing other research studies that address the topic. This section is written in paragraph form and is about one or two paragraphs long. Its purpose is to guide the reader into the research by framing the question or problem the project addresses and establishing its significance.

Next is the methods section which focuses on the process behind the research. This tells the audience how the data was collected, processed, and analyzed. The content of this section will differ depending on the type of research. For example, in a meta-analysis, it’s essential to describe how data sources were selected, how the data was collected, and the specific methods used for analysis. In a randomized control trial (RCT), the methods section would need to detail how participants were selected, how they were randomized, and the procedures followed during the trial. Regardless of the research type, the methods section should provide comprehensive detail on how the study was conducted, ensuring the audience can understand and potentially replicate the process.

The following section is based on the results. This is where the findings of the research are presented and should focus on summarizing the quantitative data or qualitative observations from the project. Displaying the results of a study can be done in numerous different manners. For instance, results can be shown using bullet points, paragraphs, tables, charts, or images. Many result sections will utilize a combination of these formats. The main thing to remember is that the results section should present the data without drawing any interpretations or conclusions, as these will be made in the discussion section. 

The final core element of a poster is the discussion section, which interprets the results of the project. Here, the data from the results section is analyzed, and conclusions are drawn about what the findings mean in the context of the research question. This section should suggest future directions for related research or improvements that could be made in future iterations of the project. The discussion connects the results back to the introduction, tying the research findings to the original problem or hypothesis, and considers the future direction of the project. It’s the place for critical thinking and reflection on what the results indicate and what questions remain to be answered.

Other Important Elements of a Poster

There are many other elements of a poster that contribute to the overall presentation. Aspects such as images and figures should be integrated throughout the poster as they aid in improving viewer comprehension. There is no specific section dedicated to visuals and should instead be placed where they best complement the text. For example, in the methods section, creating a flowchart may help clarify the process, making the information more understandable for the viewers.

Figures and images serve as visual aids that improve engagement and make the poster easier to follow. A poster that consists solely of text and bullet points may be overwhelming, thus visuals help the audience better understand the project. Figuring out when to use a visual aid lies in understanding the project as this will help guide poster creators when thinking about if an image or figure may improve their poster. Visuals should complement the poster by presenting data or processes in a clear and accessible format. These can range from graphs and tables to photographs and diagrams, depending on the nature of the study. It’s important that any figures or images used are directly relevant and actively contribute to the reader’s understanding of the content.

Citations and acknowledgments are generally found at the bottom of the poster. All sources used should be cited in the appropriate format (based on preference or competition standards). If the citation list is too long or the font size becomes too small, QR codes can be implemented to link a full list of references. The acknowledgments section should recognize grants, funding, or individuals who supported the research. If there are no acknowledgments, this should also be stated.

The design and color scheme of the poster are also important considerations. There are many poster templates available online through platforms such as posterpresentations.com. The most common poster design tools used are PowerPoint and Google Slides. The design should be clean and professional, with colors that are easy on the eyes. Ideally, the color scheme should align with the institution’s colors. For example, if the research institution uses blue and yellow as primary colors then these should be used. Another important thing to note is that some conferences and schools may have specific requirements in terms of colors and format. Thus, it is important to ensure that the research poster addresses these requirements to ensure no potential conflicts. 

In summary, there are many other elements to consider aside from the title and main content. These include aspects such as visuals, citations, acknowledgments, and design. These all play an important role in improving the quality of a research poster. These components help make the poster more informative and engaging while improving the overall experience for the audience.

Common Mistakes

There are a few different mistakes someone can make when designing their poster. The majority of these errors relate to how a poster is designed and formatted, creating a less pleasant viewing experience for the audience. Wright State University compiled a list of mistakes that contribute to poor research poster design. A few of these mistakes include too much text and poor design formatting.5 Adding too much text to a research poster makes it difficult to read and cluttered. Thus, it is important for poster creators to keep this in mind as they can alleviate some of the text burden by the inclusion of figures, tables, and other images. Poor design formatting can be attributed to inconsistent text box sizes, color formatting, and misplacement of logos and other figures. Learning how to create a proper poster takes practice and time, and will require multiple drafts. Understanding these common mistakes and avoiding them throughout the design process will aid in ensuring a well-designed poster.

Conclusion

Research is a critical part of many medical student’s journeys. As students progress through medical school, opportunities will arise that allow them to display their projects in the form of a research poster. Being able to understand and create a proper poster aids in showing a student’s research skills and dedication to a project. This article discusses the major contributing factors towards creating a well-made research poster. In particular, research posters feature a title, its authors, and the IMRAD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). Aside from the main components, other aspects of a strong poster include formatting, figures/images, citations, and more. Understanding each aspect and how they contribute will aid students in creating a poster that provides bountiful information in a presentable manner for the audience.

Citations

1. Towards an “#evenbetterposter”: Improving the #betterposter template. Towards an “#evenbetterposter”: improving the #betterposter template : Biological Engineering Communication Lab. (2023, July 28). https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/be/2023/09/27/toward-an-evenbetterposter-improving-the-betterposter-template/ 
2. American College of Physicians. (2016, May 1). Preparing a poster presentation. Preparing a Poster Presentation | ACP Online. https://www.acponline.org/membership/residents/competitions-awards/acp-national-abstract-competitions/guide-to-preparing-for-the-abstract-competition/preparing-a-poster-presentation 
3. Whitby, S. (2024, February 23). How to write an eye-catching title for your scientific poster that will attract visitors. The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB). https://www.sebiology.org/resource/how-to-write-an-eye-catching-title-for-your-scientific-poster-that-will-attract-visitors.html#:~:text=Using%20a%20question%20in%20your,research%20starts%20with%20a%20question. 
4. University of California Los Angeles. (n.d.). Creating a research poster. https://hass.ugresearch.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Creating-a-Research-Poster-2019.pdf 
5. Wright State University. (2024, January 17). Creating a research poster: Example. Example – Creating a Research Poster – Research Guides at Wright State University. https://guides.libraries.wright.edu/celebration-of-research/example#:~:text=Bad%20Poster%20Design%3A%20Example&text=Text%20box%20backgrounds%20are%20dark,other%20by%20pleasing%20%E2%80%9Cwhite%E2%80%9D%20space 
6. Traditional Poster Source: Downstate Health Sciences University. (n.d.). Research Papers. Downstate Health Sciences University. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www.downstate.edu/news-events/communications-marketing/new-media-services/design-resources/research-posters.html. 
7. Better Poster Source: Flaherty, C. (2019). #betterposter. Inside Higher Ed. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/06/24/theres-movement-better-scientific-posters-are-they-really-better.