Scientific poster presentations may have a variety of purposes. Each purpose is dictated by the general topic, the research findings and the goal of the poster presenter. Oftentimes, the goal of a scientific poster is to cause the audience to feel called to action regarding a particular topic. For example, the goal of a scientific poster may be to cause the reader to collaborate on a joint future research project; alternatively, the goal of a scientific poster presentation may be to incite readers to action against the spread of a disease. Some posters may be on display for a long period of time, while others will only be on display for a short time. All of these factors have an impact on the information contained in the scientific poster.
The use of headings will assist readers in locating the specific information that is of interest to them. More visual graphics should be used than text. When text is used, the font size should be large enough to be easily read from three to six feet away; this includes text used within visual graphics and graphs. It will be easier for reader's eyes to read dark text on a light background. For this reason, the use of overly bright colors is to be avoided. The purpose of text and graphics should not be to rehash the research methods, but instead to explain the significance of the research and why the research matters. Because of these goals, scientific posters should display data visually and include legible text that supports the data.
The purpose of a scientific poster will impact the choice of information used. The goal of scientific poster presentations is to assure that the audience is able to quickly decipher not just the information contained, but also the intent of the poster. This is achieved through the use of an easy-to-locate title that is short and compels the attention of the reader. Subtopics and visual images should also maintain the reader's attention and direct the reader back toward the goals of the poster. The use of appropriate supporting subheadings and subtopics will assist the reader in understanding the intent and purpose of the poster.
It's important that scientific posters be laid out in a manner that causes the reader to view information sequentially. The use of columns is a commonly accepted method of drawing the reader's eyes into a logical sequence of reading, which will help the reader to understand the information better. The use of lots of white space as a tool will make the poster appear uncluttered and neat and assist the reader. The use of text should be balanced with the use of visual graphics; in other words, avoid placing all of the graphics in one area and then clustering all of the text in a different area of the poster.