• In general, your abstract should address the following:

  • Introduction: Why is this research important and what question are you trying to answer?

  • Methods: How did you go about solving or making progress on this problem/topic?

  • Results: What are your findings?

  • Conclusions: What are the implications of your findings?

• Presentation Title and Authors Sections are entered as separate fields during registration and should not be included in the abstract.

• The abstract should NOT contain formal citations to published works or literature.

• Footnotes should NOT be included, although a funding acknowledgement may be included at the end of the abstract.

  • If the project was created with the support of the Sigma Xi Research Immerse Program, please include the following sentence at the end of your abstract: "Project created through participation in the 2024 - 2025 Sigma Xi Research Immerse Program."

• While technical terms and scientific formulae are appropriate, avoid using abbreviations in the abstract unless the abbreviation is clearly explained.

• These Sample Abstracts from award winning presentations may provide useful examples.

• Submit to RISE 2025: https://undergraduate.northeastern.edu/research/rise-2025/overview/ (Deadline: 2/3/2025)

  • If you are accepted, your poster will be printed for FREE by Northeastern University URF! 

Vendors and Price Estimates*

PhD Poster - $42.99

Office Depot - $45.99 ($65.99)

Poster Nerd - $56.93

Staples - $66.00

*May not reflect actual prices

We are asking that all oral presentations be submitted in Microsoft PowerPoint format. Thank you!!

Title

• Your title should capture the major aim/conclusion of your research.

Introduction

• Clearly state the problem or project and the reasons why you are studying it. This information should be contained in the first few sentences.

• Provide concise and appropriate background discussion of the problem including the significance, scope and limits of your work. Outline what has been established by citing truly pertinent literature. Do not include an overview of marginally relevant literature.

• State how your work differs from, or is related to previously published work.

• How did other scientists' work lead to yours?

Materials and Methods

• Give enough detail so that others will know how you gathered the data. A list presentation of this information is appropriate for posters.

Results

• Summarize the data collected and the statistical analysis you used, as appropriate. Include only relevant data, but give enough detail to adequately justify your conclusions. Use equations, figures, and tables only where necessary. Aim for clarity and brevity.

Tables and Figures

• Use graphs rather than tables to present numerical data. Graphs allow the reader to see trends more easily. If data must be presented in table form, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

• Leave out any unnecessary details. Studies show that you have only 11 seconds to grab and retain your audience's attention. Display your important points and make them brief.

• Number tables and figures according to the order in which they appear in the text. Give each table a title. (For example: Figure 1. Species composition).

Discussion/Conclusions

• The purpose of this section is to relate your results back to the original problem you have tested.You should also explain the significance of your research findings in relation to the other research in this area. Base your conclusions on evidence presented in the results section.

Literature Cited

• You may choose to provide a listed of references cited in the text of the poster. An example is provided below. For more complicated citation formats, use the reference section of any of your primary journal sources. Notice the format that the journal employs and use that method.
  
  Journal article: Author(s). Publication year. Article title. Journal title volume: pages.
  
  Example
  Smith, D.C. and J. Van Buskirk. 1995. Phenotypic design, plasticity and ecological performance in two tadpole species. American Naturalist 145:211-233.

Acknowledgements (optional) 

In this section, you acknowledge and thank the individuals, departments, programs, and funding resources, which contributed to the research. Please also acknowledge any funding sources (including URF for PEAK support). If the project was created with the support of the Sigma Xi Research Immerse Program, please include the following sentence within your acknowledgements: "Project created through participation in the 2024-2025 Sigma Xi Research Immerse Program."

General Advice

• KEEP THE TEXT BRIEF. Avoid blocks of text. Present only enough data to support your conclusions, but make sure that there is sufficient information to explain the process.

• Leave some open space in the design. Your audience will appreciate this as it will make your presentation easier to read and understand.

• Don't be afraid to point out uncertainties in your work, you may be able to receive valuable feedback and helpful insight from others.

• TALK WITH YOUR ADVISOR as you go through this process. Make sure he/she approves of your layout and agrees that you have presented all of the important information in the best possible way.

• Please choose appropriate attire for your attendance and presentation at the conference. The attire expected should be similar to that of an interview. We recommend business casual attire. 

Please note: the following resources are NOT affiliated with or created by Sigma Xi, and the format will not be the same for the Symposium. However, these resources from the New England Science Symposium may be helpful in the development of your abstract and presentation.

• Guidance and Tips on Writing an Abstract

• How To Make Great Online Presentations In The Virtual Era

• Introduction on the Beginning Stages of Creating a Poster

• Getting Started on Creating a Poster (Format, Templates and Software)

• Transferring Your Abstract into a Poster (Step by Step Guide)

• How to Present Your Poster and Practice Your Presentation

• Poster Presentation Outline (Summary)

Q: Is Egan Center accessible by public transit?

A: Yes - Northeastern University's Boston Campus is accessible by the Orange Line (get off at the Ruggles stop) or the Green Line (get off at the Northeastern University stop). 

Q: Is there parking available?

A: Yes - the Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120 for $20 fee

Q: How do I get to Egan Center from Ruggles?

A: Exit Ruggles onto Forsyth street (NOT International Village/Columbus Ave.) and the Egan Center is the closest building in front and to the right. 

Q: How do I get to Egan Center from the Northeastern green line stop?

A: Exit the T and cross Huntington Ave in the opposite direction of Tatte and the Marino Center. Walk down Forsyth street and just before you reach the roundabout at the end of Forsyth street the Egan Center will be on your left. 

Q: Where do I go once I get to Egan Center?

A: If you enter near the street, the raytheon amphitheater will be to your right. If you enter near Snell Engineering, go up the stairs and walk all the way down the right hallway until you reach the end, and amphitheater will be there.

Q: What attire should presenters wear?

A: Business Casual (not a suit, just something professional)