Research Day FAQ

You will be judged in the following four areas:

The presenter discussion (maximum points 10) 
Is the project and its presentation comprehensible to a broad audience, not just a narrow specialist?

• Research objective clearly stated
• Main points clearly presented
• Significance of the work well explained

Presenter involvement in project (maximum points 10) 
How much of the work was actually performed by the presenter?

• Is it clear that the presenter was highly involved in the work?
• Is it clear that the presenter has good knowledge about the work he or she is presenting?

The project itself (maximum points 10) 
Content and significance.

• Are the results of the project meaningful?
• Is the project's methodology appropriate for the stated research objectives?
• Does the project explain non-significant results or address conflicting theories?
• Is the work a contribution to the field?
• Has something significant been accomplished?

The visual presentation (maximum points 10) 
Is the poster's message clear and can it be understood in a few minutes?

• Neat, well-organized appearance. Text and graphics well integrated. Sufficient white space.
• Not too much text. The poster does not give an overwhelming impression of text only.
• Not too little text. Text is sufficient to explain what the graphics are related to.
• Text large enough to view comfortably from a distance of 1-1.5 meters.
• Good organization and flow: easy to figure out how to move through poster, because of good use of clear headings.

The maximum space we will have available for each poster is 40"x48" -- with either a landscape or a portrait orientation.

The Drexel Writing Center will be holding a workshop, "Strategies for Creating Effective Research Posters," on March 28th, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, in the Hagerty Library. Poster presentations are visual arguments. We will analyze the content and layout of sample posters before turning to a hands-on workshop designed to maximize your poster’s rhetorical and visual impact. Please sign up at the Writing Center website: www.drexel.edu/writingcenter

Presenters are responsible for printing their own posters. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Graphics Lab in MacAlister Hall room 4012. Please review the details below.

1. Each poster takes 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour to print. There are often long queues of posters waiting to be printed. Therefore, it may take two or three days to print a poster. Printing is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. All poster requests must be received by March 29, 2011. 
2. The Graphics lab can print files of the following formats: JPEG, PDF, Powerpoint, and TIFF. The format that poses the fewest problems is a PDF.
3. Files may be submitted via email to: groesbpa@drexel.edu or brought to the Graphics lab in MacAlister hall room 4012 from 9AM-5PM, weekdays. Telephone number is 215-895-2926.
4. Students are responsible for proof-reading their posters in advance of printing. Students may open their files and view them in the Graphics lab before printing. A reprint fee will be charged if the student’s error necessitates a second print.
5. Form of payment is cash, check or department charge number. If paying with a department charge number, the student should provide the number at the time of the request.
6. When making a request, the student should specify glossy or matte finish, and specify the size (in inches) that the poster should be printed. The charge is $3 per square foot, whether glossy or matte, color or back and white.

• Research Day is open to the public from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Registration begins at 9:00 am
• All posters must be hung by 10:45 am
• The first round of judging starts at 11:00 am
• All posters must remain hung until 3:00 pm
• The reception and award ceremony will be held around 3:30 pm
• All posters must be removed by 4:00 pm

During the submission process, presenters will choose a preferred judging time for their poster. Once your judging time has been assigned, you MUST be present during that time or your poster will not be judged. In addition, you (or a friend) must be present during the registration time (9:00 am - 10:45 am) to pick up your registration materials and hang your poster.

There will be a reception with refreshments at 3:00 pm.

Please consider your class schedule when submitting your abstract and selecting a preferred judging time. If you notice a conflict between your assigned judging time and your class schedule, please contact Dr. Lloyd Ackert (lta24@drexel.edu) prior to the day of the event. If you need to leave your poster for any other reason during your judging time, please leave a note on your poster.

Yes, they are two separate events. You can, if you like, enter both with the same project and poster, but you need to complete a separate application for each. You’ll find CoAS Research Day to be a friendly precursor to the University Research Day.

* Due to unavoidable scheduling considerations, you will note that CoAS Research Day (April 5) occurs during the same week as the University Research Day (April 8). As is customary, the University’s event was originally scheduled to occur approximately two weeks following the CoAS Research Day but it had to be moved to accommodate other events. We recognize that this may pose a challenge for both presenters and judges, but nevertheless, we encourage students to submit their work to both events.

No. If you are a non-CoAS student who worked on a project with a CoAS faculty member, you are eligible to participate in the CoAS Research Day.

Bring your poster. The poster can consist of a pre-printed large sheet, or separate pieces of paper that you put up on a display board. We will provide the display board and thumbtacks.

Please e-mail Dr. Lloyd Ackert (lta24@drexel.edu) with your name and poster title and the edits you need made.

Each recipient will receive a certificate of participation. Winners in each category will also receive Visa gift cards: $100 for 1st place, $75 for 2nd place, and $50 for 3rd.