Visual Techniques for Presenting Scientific Research

Figures help communicate your research findings better. But they must be designed with clarity and integrity to avoid misinterpretation. Here are some key principles: ✅ 1. Figures aren't just for duplicating what's in tables or text—they're a powerful tool for highlighting visually compelling insights. In any manuscript, results can be presented in four places: the main text, tables, figures, or online supplemental materials. 👁️🗨️ 2. Figures Should Stand Alone With many journals now displaying figures independently online, it's important that a reader can understand the figure without having to consult the full manuscript. Include a descriptive title with key elements: person, place, and time. Add clear footnotes to define terms, measures, or abbreviations used. 📏 3. Use Scales Appropriately For percentages, your Y-axis should run from 0 to 100. If the data points are small and you need to truncate the axis, indicate this with two slashes (//) to show that the full range is not depicted. 🎨 4. Design for Black and White Assume your figure may be printed in grayscale. Use color AND patterns (e.g., hatching, stripes, dots) to differentiate data points clearly—ensuring your visualization is effective in both color and monochrome formats. 📉 5. Less Is More Avoid squeezing too much into one figure. If you need to show results for multiple demographic breakdowns, it’s better suited for a table, not a figure. Use figures, for example, when you’re presenting: Overall estimates for multiple outcomes , or Stratified estimates for one or two outcomes by a key demographic (e.g., education). 🧾 6. Always Include a Legend If your figure includes multiple outcomes or variables, include a legend. If it shows just one single outcome, make sure that outcome is clearly stated in the title. 🧭 7. Label Your Axes Clearly Both X and Y axes must be labeled with units, where applicable. This helps orient your audience. 📌 Pro tip: When presenting a figure live, begin by walking your audience through the axes: “This figure shows X. The horizontal axis represents [variable], and the vertical axis represents [variable]...” Give them a moment to get oriented before diving into the interpretation. 🧹 8. Minimize Clutter Avoid gridlines—they make your figure look messy. Only label bars or data points when essential, especially if space is tight. 🖼️ 9. Submit High-Resolution Figures Minimum resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch). If using Excel: paste your chart into PowerPoint, save the slide as a PDF, then convert that PDF to an image at 300 DPI using tools like IrfanView (https://www.irfanview.com/). ✍️ 10. Use Consistent Footnote Symbols Use a recurring set of symbols in this order: *, †, ‡, § Then repeat with double marks: **, ††, etc. Alternatively, use superscript letters (a–z) or numbers. Keep it clean and consistent. By following these principles, you ensure your results are clear, credible, and impactful—getting the attention they deserve.

Clicking through text on one screen and then seeing visuals on the next is the educational equivalent of trying to clap with one hand. Let's fix that with the Temporal Contiguity Principle. 🧠 Here's how to create learning that sticks: 1️⃣ Sync Your Content ↳ Match narration with visuals in real-time ↳ No more text-then-image sequences ↳ Let learners process both channels together ☑️ Working memory thanks you 2️⃣ Design for Integration ↳ Present related elements simultaneously ↳ Keep text and images on the same screen ↳ Avoid split-screen learning experiences ☑️ Reduce cognitive load instantly 3️⃣ Master the Timing ↳ Coordinate step-by-step explanations ↳ Sync each visual with its narration ↳ No more "here's all the steps, now watch" ☑️ Learning flows naturally 4️⃣ Build Better Modules ↳ One click starts both audio and visuals ↳ No separate navigation needed ↳ Everything plays in perfect harmony ☑️ Smoother learning experience 5️⃣ Structure Your Flow ↳ Break content into meaningful chunks ↳ Keep related elements together ↳ Guide attention purposefully ☑️ Learning that actually transfers The science is clear: → Better retention → Deeper understanding → Stronger results It's not just theory. It's how our brains work. What’s one small change you’ll make this week to better sync your visuals and narration?

Good research deserves good poster design. Here’s how to structure every section of your academic research poster They’ll teach you how to collect data. But no one teaches you how to present it. Here’s what academic research poster should include ——————————————— 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 → 1–2 lines only. → Make it specific, bold, and readable from 3 feet away. → Add your name(s), affiliations, and contact info (email or QR code to full paper). ——————————————— 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 → 2–3 sentences on why this study matters → Use bullet points for major facts (e.g. disease burden, knowledge gap) → Optional: add one icon or small visual (e.g. world map if global) ——————————————— 𝗢𝗕𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 → Numbered list of research questions or hypotheses → Keep them short, clear, and preferably bolded ——————————————— 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 → Study design (e.g. RCT, cohort, case-control) → Setting (country, site, year) → Sample population (eligibility, key demographics) → Variables (exposures, outcomes, confounders) → Data sources/tools (e.g. surveys, registries, labs) → Analysis plan (stats methods, software used) → Optional: one flowchart or timeline visual ——————————————— 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 → Table: Key characteristics (age, sex, baseline traits) → Graph 1: Your main outcome → bar, line, or forest plot → Text Summary: 3–4 numbered findings with clear metrics (p-values, CIs, effect sizes) → Visuals: Maps for geographical data; survival curves if time-to-event is critical → Label everything: axes, legends, and font readable from 3 feet away ——————————————— 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 → 2–3 bullet points interpreting the results → 1 bullet: main limitation → 1 bullet: key implication or recommendation ——————————————— 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 → One sentence only → No new data; just your biggest takeaway or impact summary ——————————————— 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 & 𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 → 2–3 most relevant citations → Funding sources and disclosure (if required) → Keep font tiny but readable up close ——————————————— If they have to squint, it’s not a poster; it’s a paragraph. Design it for clarity, not complexity. ♻️ Repost this to help a student, colleague, or conference team build better science communication. #AcademicPoster #ResearchDesign

Some charts are memorable, while others fade away. Why? The answer lies in how our brains process visual information. Effective data visualizations aren’t just pretty pictures. They align with human cognition instead of fight against it. Here's what you need to know: 1. Contrast Captures Focus Even before your audience consciously considers your chart, their brain is already picking up on contrast. Elements that are large, bold, or vibrant grab attention first. Use contrast purposefully — not for decoration — to direct the viewer’s eye to the main takeaway. 2. Cognitive Overload Hampers Recall Your audience's working memory has limits — governed by the complex workings of our brains' prefrontal cortexes. Charts cluttered with excessive details, confusing legends, and hard-to-read fonts make the brain exert unnecessary effort on the brain, causing disengagement or misinterpretation. The most effective charts present insights clearly and effortlessly. 3. Images Come First, But Don’t Forget Your Text According to Paivio’s Dual-Coding Theory , while striking visuals attract attention, text solidifies comprehension. Strong titles clarify "What am I looking at?" Clear headlines convey "What is this chart telling me?" Direct labels remove the need for assumptions and guesses. If your audience is left to figure out your chart’s meaning, they'll come up with their own interpretation — and it probably won’t be the one you intended. The aim isn’t just to display data — it’s to ensure that people notice it, grasp it, and retain it. Understanding the science behind human visual processing will help you better understand why some charts work, while others don’t, and prepare you to design with purpose. Art+Science Analytics Institute | University of Notre Dame | University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Chicago | D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University | ELVTR | Grow with Google - Data Analytics #Analytics #DataStorytelling

Do you want your data to make a difference? Transform your numbers into narratives that drive action—follow these five key steps: 📌 STEP 1: understand the context Before creating any visual, ask: - Who is your audience? - What do they need to know? - How will they use this information? Getting the context right ensures your message resonates. 📊 STEP 2: choose an appropriate graph Different visuals serve different purposes: - Want to compare values? Try a bar chart. - Showing trends? Use a line graph. - Need part-to-whole context? A stacked bar may work. Pick the right tool for the job! 🧹 STEP 3: declutter your graphs & slides More isn’t better. Remove unnecessary elements (gridlines, redundant labels, clutter) to let your data breathe. Less distraction = clearer communication. 🎯 STEP 4: focus attention Not all elements on your graphs and slides are equal. Use: ✔️ Color ✔️ Annotations ✔️ Positioning …to guide your audience’s eyes to what matters most. Help them know where to look and what to see. 📖 STEP 5: tell a story Numbers alone don’t inspire action—stories do. Structure your communication like a narrative: 1️⃣ Set the scene 2️⃣ Introduce the conflict (tension) 3️⃣ Lead to resolution (insight or action) Make it memorable! THAT'S the *storytelling with data* process! ✨ Following these five steps will help you create clear, compelling data stories. What's your favorite tip or strategy for great graphs and powerful presentations? Let us know in the comments!