1-Apr-03

Environmental Science Seminar (ES2111)

Spring 2003

Communicating Scientific ResultsAisling D. O’Sullivan, Ph.D.

Visiting Post-Doctoral FellowThe University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

1-Apr-03

Objectives

• Tell a story • Inform audience • Stimulate discussion

1-Apr-03

Style

• Chronological order

• Logical progression

• Simple yet informative

1-Apr-03

Where to start?

Identify:

• What data you wish to show• Who your audience are• How much time you have

= ESSENTIAL PREPARATION

1-Apr-03

1. Audience;Tailor presentation to

audience

• Fellow environmental scientists• Other scientists• Other academics• General public• High schools• Elementary school

1-Apr-03

2. Location;Tailor presentation to

location

• In a lecture theatre• In a laboratory• In a small classroom• In a large conference hall• Outdoors• On the internet

1-Apr-03

3. Audio-visual aids;Tailor presentation to media

facilities available

• Overheads (transparencies)• Computer projection (Powerpoint)• Slides• Black/white board• Internet

1-Apr-03

4. Time allocated;Tailor presentation to time

• Short introduction• Part of a team-presentation• Class project• Conference publication• Technical report

1-Apr-03

5. What is the story?;Focus on certain aspects of

work• Choose a specific data set

• Don’t attempt to present everything

• Only include information relevant to the data you are presenting

• Be clear in the data

1-Apr-03

6. Disposition;Dress appropriately

• Dress respectably but not too flamboyant

• Wear comfortable clothing (& shoes)

• Don’t look at your watch

1-Apr-03

7. Outline presentation;

• Include the title, author names and affiliations, date and meeting on slide 1

• Introduce yourself and your position

• Outline presentation at start = structure

1-Apr-03

8. Summarize results;

• Write in bullet form

• Use key words

• Present only final data

• Don’t present all data on 1 slide

1-Apr-03

9. Logical order;1. Title, names, affiliations,

meeting2. Aims & Objectives3. Introduction4. (Materials and methods if

necessary)5. Results – bullet points, final

figures6. Interpret results7. Conclusions8. Acknowledgements

1-Apr-03

10. Guidelines for slides;

1. Keep text to a minimum

2. 20 words per slide rule

3. Use arial font or other simple ones

4. Use large font (>20)

1-Apr-03

10. Guidelines for slides contd.;5. Avoid too much noise

(color/patterns)

6. Stick to 1 form of media

7. Space lines well

8. Use basic and contrasting colors

1-Apr-03

11. Guidelines for talking;1. Open on a strong preliminary

statement –be assertive

2. Project voice well (to back of room)

3. Speak slowly (think quickly)

4. Make eye contact with various people

1-Apr-03

11. Guidelines for talking contd;5. Don’t read

6. Don’t fidget

7. Be interactive when appropriate

8. Start simple and clear – do not overestimate the background knowledge of your audience

1-Apr-03

12. Guidelines for main data;1. Keep details to a minimum

2. Present summary statistics –not large data sets

3. Use simple figures and explain each (axes, relationships etc)

4. Explain each point as it arises

1-Apr-03

12. Guidelines for main data contd;

5. Do not rush through the data

6. Recap on previous points when they arise in subsequent figures

7. Make sure your audience understands the main points of the data

1-Apr-03

13. Concluding remarks;

1. End on a clear take-home message

2. Provide a summary slide

3. End with, “in conclusion”…….

4. Indicate that you are ready to answer questions

1-Apr-03

Checklist • Correct structure• Spell/grammar check• Tables and Figures have;

–comprehensive legend (no. & title)–correct axes, units, n & error bars

• Condensed sentences• Reads clearly (can others understand?)• Explains the focus of the study well• Stimulates thought………...

1-Apr-03

More points for success;

1. Be simple, clear and assertive

2. Take your time

3. Be honest with what you do/do not know

4. Focus on a few aspects of the study

1-Apr-03

Remember to;

1. Revise content; re-check logic/clarity

2. Rehearse your delivery

3. Re-write (edit) in response to feedback for future presentations

1-Apr-03

QUESTIONS ?