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CONFERENCE PROPOSALSAND PRESENTATIONS INTHE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Prepared by Anne Blackstock-Bernstein UCLA Graduate Writing Center 2017

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Workshop Outline

• What is a conference presentation?

• Preparing a conference proposal

• Structuring a presentation

• Designing a presentation

• Delivering a presentation

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WHAT IS A CONFERENCE PRESENTATION?

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Conference presentation basics

• Purpose: Present results (possibly preliminary)

• Audience: Sub-discipline experts

• Mode of delivery: Oral and visual

• Appearance: High visual-to-text ratio

• Length: Short (10-20 minutes)

ASH

AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Association for the Study of Higher Education

---AMERICAN PSYCHOl OGIICAL ASSOCIATION

s CD

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Audience

• Target your audience • Broad

• Sub-discipline

• Specific topic

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Format

• Consider the presentation format

• Paper session

• Symposium

• Roundtable

• Poster session

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PREPARING A CONFERENCE PROPOSAL

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Submission requirements

• Chosen division/topic

• Title

• Authors

• Abstract

• 200-500 words

• Key words/phrases

• Submission type

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Example of Rating System

• Objectives, Purposes/Aims or Goals • Insignificant Critically Significant

• Theoretical and Prior Research Framework • Not articulated Well articulated

• Methods or modes of inquiry • Not well executed Well executed

• Data sources, evidence, objects or materials • Inappropriate Appropriate

• Results, conclusions and/or expected results • Ungrounded Well grounded

• Scholarly Significance of the Work • Routine Highly original

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STRUCTURING A PRESENTATION

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Outlining your presentation

• Determine the focus of your presentation • Theory vs. methods vs. data

• In order of importance, write down all the points you want your viewer to understand • Focus your presentation on the first three points • Include sections similar to a typical journal article • SUMMARIZE!

• Aim for approximately 1 minute per slide • Usually 10-15 slides total

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Outlining your presentation • Include sections similar to a typical journal article • Title

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Conclusions

• References

• Acknowledgements

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Title

• Title of presentation • Should match your submission title

• Author names

• Author institutional affiliations

• Optional: Name and date of conference

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Introduction • Pique your viewers’ interest in the topic/problem

• Use minimal background information/definitions

• Give quick, basic context of existing literature

• Propose your research questions (and hypotheses)

• Include photographs or illustrations, if appropriate

• Optional: Theoretical framework/positionality

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Methods • Description of sample

• Optional: table or pie chart

• Summary of measures and materials

• Optional: photograph or illustration

• Explanation of procedures

• Optional: flow chart or diagram

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Multiracial

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African American

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Results • Most important section

• Share relevant descriptive findings

• Answer your RQs

• Include figures

• Easy to understand

• Clearly labeled

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Conclusions • Summary of major result

• Did you support your hypothesis, if applicable?

• Implications and recommendations

• Policy

• Practice

• Scholarly significance and future research/next steps

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References • Follow standard citation format (e.g., APA) • No more than 5-10 citations

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Acknowledgements • Thank individuals for specific contributions • Participants/parents

• Research assistants/transcribers/coders

• Faculty advisor

• Mention your source of funding, if relevant

• Disclose any conflicts of interest

• Include contact information • Email address, website, etc.

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Sample breakdown of slides

Title

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

0 1 2 3 4 5

+ Title,Acknowledgements, and References slides

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DESIGNING A PRESENTATION

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Design Process

• Choose a software

• Pick a template

• Add text

• Design visuals and animations

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Prezi

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Software Options

PowerPoint • Easy to use • Basic templates • Compatible and

ubiquitous

Prezi Keynote • Easy to use • Better

animations/graphics • Less compatibility

• Difficult to use • Custom

animations • Less

compatibility

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Design Process

• Choose a software

• Pick a template

• Add text

• Design visuals and animations

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Choosing a template

A good template should…

• Be readable • Be simple • Be professional • Provide sufficient space

CHOOSING A TEMPLATE

A good template should…

Be readable Be simple Be professional Provide sufficient space

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Choosing a template 28

A good template should…

Be readable Be simple Be professional Provide sufficient space

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Choosing a template

A good template should…

• Be readable

• Be simple

• Be professional

• Provide sufficient space

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Slide Title

Subject Line

• Bullet Point One Sub Point

• Bullet Point Two Sub Point

• Bullet Point Three

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http://brand.ucla.edu/brand/print/templates/

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Choosing a template A good template should…

• Be readable • Be simple • Be professional • Provide sufficient space

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Choosing a template A good template should…

• Be readable • Be simple • Be professional • Provide sufficient space

Choosing a template

∗ Be simple

A good template should…

∗ Be readable

∗ Be professional ∗ Provide sufficient space

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Choosing a templ ate

A good tem plate should…

• Be readable

• Be sim ple

• Be pr ofessional

• Provide sufficient space

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Design Process • Choose a software • Pick a template • Add text • Design visuals and animations

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Adding text – Headings

• Clear, concise headings

• Section – Sub-section • Background – Emotion Regulation

• Methods – Sample

• Results – Reaction Times

• Main point • Impact of Emotion Regulation

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Adding text – Font choice

• Easy to read • Consistent (two fonts at most) • Some recommendations • Helvetica • Calibri

Sans-serif • Gill Sans • Verdana • Georgia

Serif • Rockwell • Garamond

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Adding text – Font size

•Large! • This is 12 point font

• This is 14 point font

• This is 18 point font

• This is 20 point font

• This is 22 point font

• This is 24 point font Stick to 22 or above • This is 28 point font

• This is 30 point font

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Adding text – Slide layout

• Sparse text

• 5-8 lines of text is ideal

• Never more than 10 lines of text

• Use bullets • Aim for one line of text per bullet

• No need for complete sentences (or periods)

• Text should be redundant to spoken presentation

• Use boldface to emphasize points

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Adding text – Sample background slide

• There is an impact of language on math performance (Abedi & Gándara, 2006; Reardon & Galindo, 2009; Wright & Li,

2008)

• We do not know the impact of math on language performance in the classroom

• Math procedures vary in complexity (Siegler & Jenkins,

1989)

• Some math procedures may be easier to articulate (Ginsburg et al, 1983)

• Some involve more working memory (Ashcraft & Krause, 2007;

Ayres, 2001)

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Adding text – Sample RQ slide

RQ1.To what extent does numbering your research questions help the viewer recall the questions when you later present your results?

RQ2. If you have two similar research questions, in what ways does bolding a key word help the viewer pay attention to what you are saying?

RQ3. If you have two similar research questions, in what ways does bolding a key word help the viewer remember what you are saying?

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Adding text – Sample results slide

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enta

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f Sat

isfie

dV

iew

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100

75

50

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0 0 1 2 3 4

Number of visuals in presentation

It is better to present results using visuals

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Adding text – Back-up slides

• Save any extra slides you create • If a slide does not fit your main narrative but…

…is still interesting …or addresses potential questions

Place the slide at the end of your presentation as a “just-in-case” slide

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Design Process

• Choose a software

• Pick a template

• Add text

• Design visuals and animations

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Designing Visuals

• Self-explanatory and simple • No additional/unnecessary information

• Title should convey the main point of the figure

• Types of figures • Use diagrams and flowcharts for theory and methods

• Use bar graphs, scatterplots, regression plots, and other graphs for findings

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Designing Visuals • Be mindful of color sensitivities • Avoid using red and green together

• Use symbols and line patterns to differentiate data groups

• Label data directly, and avoid complex legends

• Display data in 2-D, without shadows or other effects

• Use high contrast and thick, clear lines

Temp I

Jan Feb Mar .Apr May Ju11 Juli Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec "C

Mean dailly

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Mean dailly

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Mean dailly

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Avoid tables

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- 10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Data from Polat h Meteoro loji listasyonu

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Use simple, customized charts

Temperature Varies Substantially by Month

Temp I

Jan Feb Mar .Apr May Ju11 Juli Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec "C

Mean dailly

-0.2 11.3 5.4 10 .6 15,.4 19.1 23 .,2 22 ,.7 18.4 12 .7 6.4 1..9 temp ("C)

_J I Mean dailly

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Mean dailly

--3.5 -2.7 0. 3 4 .9 8 .B 12. 1 115.1 115.0 11. 3 7 .1 2.2 -1,.2 low ec>

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Highlight important information

Forma t

New Slide Duplicat e Slide Slides From

Section Comm ent

Text Box WordArt

Arrange

Header and Foot er ... Date and Time ... Slide Numb er

SmartArt Graph ic.. ..

Photo � Audio � Movie � Clip Art � Symbol... Shape .. .

Obj ect .. . Hyperli nk ... :ll:K

Edit View Insert Format Arrange Tools SI

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Stacked Column

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Building charts in PowerPoint

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Building charts in PowerPoint

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Series 2 …which populates a chart in your slide

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Series 3

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Displaying qualitative findings

• Include quotes

• Create word clouds

• Create a graphic to represent overarching themes Theme 1

• Include photographs

• Include (short!) videos Theme 3 Theme 2

• Include descriptive graphics and charts, if relevant

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Using photographs

• Ensure the resolution is sufficient • Check that they will be visible on presenting computer

• Add a thin gray or black border around images • Use original photographs or those in public domain • Provide the source for any public domain images

• Otherwise, secure permission from the copyright owner and include a credit

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Using video

• Secure permission from people featured in the video

• Upload the source video to the presenting computer

• Check with conference organizers to ensure that speakers will be available during your presentation

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New Slide Duplicate Slide Slides From

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Table .. . Chart .. . SmartArt Graphic ...

Photo Audio Movie Clip Art Symbol ... Shape ...

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Secondary visuals – Symbols and shapes

• Tools to provide emphasis • Arrows

• Boxes

• Font colors

• Images, clip art, and logos

Preview Ent ranee Effects Exit Eff ects Mor o n An imat ion 0 ans

w §T Sta rt :

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Durat ion : ...

Play Appear Bl inds F,il l Color !Fon Color Pat s Effect Options T

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Secondary visuals – Animations

• Animate bullet points to help guide yourself and your audience • Avoid distracting or overly dramatic animations

• Avoid slow, drawn-out animations

• Use animations for dramatic effect • Emphasize material with underline or boldface

• Minimize material with dimming

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Animate data separately 5

4.5

4

3.5

3 Time 1 Time 2 Time 3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0 Group A Group B

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DELIVERING A PRESENTATION

A PRESENTATION

These are my notes to help me keep track of what I want to say while I present this slide.

Elapsed

0:00:00

Click to add meeting notes

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Presenter view

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Presenting – Looking good

• Speak to audience—do not read from slides

• Text should be redundant to spoken presentation

• Make eye contact

• Use gestures

• Wear business/business casual attire

• Maintain good posture and minimize fidgeting

PRACTICE!

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Presenting – Sounding good

• Volume • Keep a steady pace • Slow down!

• Take pauses • Inflection • Clarity • Brevity – short sentences • Word choice – avoid jargon

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Taking Questions • Listen carefully

• Repeat and summarize question

• Answer thoroughly, but briefly

• Anticipate questions ahead of time

• Deflect back as a possible direction for future research

• If you don’t know the answer, admit it!

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Want More Advice? • UCLA Graduate Writing Center (GWC) • http://gsrc.ucla.edu/gwc/ • Located in the Graduate Student Resource Center • Room B11, Student Activities Center

• GWC Writing and Research Workshops • http://gsrc.ucla.edu/gwc/workshops/