Lecture 19: Presenting Your Final Year Dissertations

NEXT YEAR

Dr. Gordon Wright
g.wright@gold.ac.uk

Mon 17 Mar, 2025

Overview

  • Scientific communication: Why it matters
  • IMRAD structure for scientific communication
  • Designing effective visual content
  • Practice makes perfect: Tips for delivery
  • Q&A strategies
  • Course assessment: Preparing for your 15-minute presentation

Why Scientific Communication Matters

  • Knowledge sharing: Advancing collective understanding in your field
  • Peer validation: Opening your work to feedback and critique
  • Impact: Ensuring your research influences academia, policy, or practice
  • Career advancement: Building your academic reputation
  • Public understanding: Bridging the gap between scientific research and public knowledge

Communication Formats

Posters

  • Visual emphasis
  • Interactive, one-on-one
  • Stand-alone content
  • Browse & engage format

Presentations

  • Slide-based
  • Structured narrative
  • Visual + verbal balance
  • Time-limited

IMRAD: The Scientific Structure

  • Introduction: What question are you addressing? Why does it matter?
  • Methods: How did you investigate the question?
  • Results: What did you find?
  • Discussion: What do your findings mean in context?

IMRAD for Project Presentations

  • Introduction: Context of research problem, knowledge gap, significance
  • Methods: Proposed experimental design, procedures, analysis techniques
  • Results: For project presentations, focus on predicted results
    • What outcomes would support your hypothesis?
    • What alternative outcomes might occur?
  • Discussion: Implications of expected findings, limitations, future directions

Adapting IMRAD to Presentations

Section Purpose Slide Approach
Introduction Hook audience, establish relevance Clear problem statement, compelling visuals
Methods Build credibility, explain approach Simplified flowcharts, key methodological points
Results Share discoveries, highlight importance Data visualization, animations to build complexity
Discussion Extract meaning, implications Connection to broader field, future directions

Visual Design Principles

  • Simplicity: One main idea per slide
  • Consistency: Visual language, colors, fonts
  • Contrast: Make important elements stand out
  • Hierarchy: Guide viewer attention
  • White space: Allow content to breathe

Visualdesign placeholder

Slide Design: Do’s and Don’ts

DO

  • Use high-quality visuals
  • Maintain consistent design
  • Limit text (6x6 rule)
  • Use clear, readable fonts
  • Create meaningful titles
  • Incorporate intentional animations

DON’T

  • Use low-resolution images
  • Include excessive text
  • Use multiple fonts/styles
  • Over-animate slides
  • Use distracting backgrounds
  • Present complex raw data

Data Visualization Best Practices

  • Choose appropriate chart types for your data
  • Simplify: Focus on the key message
  • Use color intentionally and consistently
  • Label directly when possible
  • Consider accessibility in design choices
  • Tell a story with your data

Know Your Audience

  • Expert audiences: Technical depth, methods focus, current debates
  • Mixed audiences: Clear definitions, broader context, varied examples
  • Public audiences: Relatable metaphors, visual storytelling, clear relevance

Presentation Delivery

Preparation

  • Practice full run-throughs
  • Time yourself rigorously
  • Prepare transitions
  • Create speaker notes
  • Test technology beforehand
  • Have backup plans

Delivery

  • Maintain eye contact
  • Use purposeful movement
  • Modulate your voice
  • Use pauses effectively
  • Acknowledge questions clearly
  • Manage time vigilantly

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Excessive information on slides
  • Speaking to the screen, not the audience
  • Monotone delivery or reading directly from slides
  • Poor time management
  • Neglecting to practice transitions
  • Apologizing unnecessarily

Tips for Meeting Assessment Criteria

Make Your Introduction Clear

  • Start with a compelling hook
  • Clearly state your research question
  • Explain why your topic matters

Present Background Effectively

  • Connect information to your research
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the field
  • Establish the knowledge gap

Articulate Aims & Hypotheses

  • Make hypotheses testable and specific
  • Connect aims to background information
  • Use visual cues to emphasize key points

Methodology Presentation

  • Use flowcharts for complex methods
  • Explain why methods are appropriate
  • Focus on critical aspects only

Tips for Meeting Assessment Criteria II

Predicted Results

  • Use clear visualizations
  • Show example data formats
  • Present multiple possible outcomes

Implications

  • Connect back to research question
  • Discuss significance of each potential outcome
  • Address limitations honestly

Presentation Skills

  • Practice vocal variety and eye contact
  • Develop smooth transitions between sections
  • Prepare for questions thoroughly
  • Time each section during rehearsals
  • Create backup slides for complex questions

Q&A Strategies

  • Anticipate likely questions
  • Listen carefully before responding
  • Be concise in your answers
  • “I don’t know” is a valid response
  • Connect questions to your main points
  • Follow up with questioners afterwards

Effective Scientific Posters

  • Clear, concise title
  • Logical flow (typically left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
  • Graphics dominate (60-70% visual)
  • Text is minimal and scannable
  • Contact information and QR codes for supplementary materials

Longer Scientific Talks

  • Plan for 75% content, 25% flexibility
  • Build in deliberate transitions between sections
  • Consider narrative structure to maintain engagement
  • Use signposting to help audience follow your logic
  • Plan visual breaks in longer presentations
  • Consider handouts for complex information

Resources for Continued Learning

Course Assessment: 15-Minute Oral Presentation

Requirements:

  • 8-10 minutes presentation + 5-7 minutes for questions (15 minutes total)
  • Worth 10% of final grade
  • Assessed by your supervisor and moderated

Purpose:

  • Formal presentation experience (valuable for job applications)
  • Help structure your research project
  • Receive constructive feedback before final write-up
  • Learn about peers’ research projects

This presentation is obligatory and will be formally assessed.

Assessment Criteria

  • Introduction: Clear topic introduction
  • Background: Relevance of information
  • Aims & Objectives: Clear hypotheses
  • Methodology: How research question is addressed
  • Predicted Results: Clear presentation
  • Explanation: Clear implications of results
  • Overview: Clear summary
  • Structure: Well-organized talk
  • Visual Aids: Effective use of materials
  • Examples: Illustrative examples
  • Level: Appropriately pitched
  • Presentation Skills: Voice, eye contact, etc.
  • Timing: Good pacing
  • Q&A: Response to questions

Presentation Timing Strategy

Section Time Allocation Focus Points
Introduction & Background 2-3 minutes Problem context, relevance, knowledge gap
Aims & Objectives 1-2 minutes Clear hypotheses, specific goals
Methodology 2-3 minutes Key approaches, techniques, design
Predicted Results & Implications 2-3 minutes Expected outcomes, significance
Summary & Conclusion 1 minute Key takeaways, future directions

Thank You!

Questions?

Research Methods Lecture 19