PREP - Module 3.9

Creating presentations

If you are fortunate enough to get your presentation accepted for publication, you’ll begin work on the presentation itself. Most of the time, you will be making a poster presentation. Posters (usually pretty large in size--- 3x4 ft) are used to summarize your project on a single printout. Then at the conference, you will hang up your poster in an assigned spot at an assigned time. You will stand next to your poster and wait for other curious researchers to stop by to inquire about your research. It may sound a bit intimidating, but it can actually be quite fun, especially if you are well practiced at your presentation. Besides posters, some students may have an opportunity to give an oral presentation, sometimes called a “talk” for short. These talks, typically considered more rigorous than poster presentations, are usually somewhere between 10-30 minutes long, so you will have to prepare your presentation, typically in PowerPoint, carefully. As with the abstract, you will work closely with your research professor from your lab to create these presentations. Your professor will mentor you throughout the process.

Working on Research Manuscripts

For some really advanced undergraduate RAs, you will have the opportunity to work with your professor on writing a manuscript (research paper submitted for publication) that summarizes your research. This experience may be the most challenging, yet rewarding, on the journey because you will be working toward a peer-reviewed publication, which officially enshrines your role as a creator of new knowledge. Although it may be intimidating, the process is fairly structured and is not entirely different than the APA research papers you wrote during your research methods courses. You will certainly be guided by your professors during this process. You will likely meet with them on several occasions and exchange a number of drafts of your manuscript before it reaches a state where it is strong enough to be submitted to a journal.

Establishing Professional Working Relationships

One person that you will want to build a strong working relationship with is your professor, who will likely have a significant impact on your research journey. While the majority of professors are compassionate and caring and want the best for you, you might occasionally encounter one who might not fit that description. It’s okay to ask what your peers and other professors are doing in their labs and what the professional relationship between other professors and their RAs is. Work to cultivate a healthy working relationship with your research advisor and be open to the possibility that a person you initially work with might not be the best fit for you. Ultimately, make sure the experience is mutually beneficial and healthy.