Preparing & Presenting Your Research

Develop, Prepare & Present Your Research

Steps for Developing Undergraduate Research

Embarking on an undergraduate research project is an exciting opportunity to explore your interests, contribute to your field, and develop valuable skills. Whether you’re new to research or looking to refine your approach, understanding the basic steps can help you navigate the process with confidence. Here’s a guide to get you started on your research journey:

Choose Your Research Question: Start by identifying a specific question or problem you want to investigate.
Conduct a Literature Review: Look at existing research to understand what is already known and where there are gaps.
Plan Your Research Design: Decide how you will collect and analyze your data. This includes choosing your methods and tools.
Collect Data: Gather the information you need through experiments, surveys, or other methods.
Analyze Data: Examine the data you collected to draw conclusions.
Write and Present Your Findings: Document your research results and share them through papers, presentations, or posters.

Remember, working with a faculty mentor can provide valuable guidance and support throughout your research journey.

Are you ready to start your project, or do you need help with a specific step?

Prepare A Research Poster

Preparing a research poster is a multi-step process that involves planning, content development, design, and presentation. Here is a concise summary and a flow chart to guide you through the process:

Key Steps:

1. Plan and Gather Requirements

Check conference or event guidelines (size, format, required sections)
Consult your mentor or faculty advisor for advice and approval
Consult with all coauthors for advice and approval
Review poster samples and templates for ideas

2. Develop Content

Identify your core message or key findings
Organize content into standard sections:
- Title: Concise and descriptive
- Authors and University Affiliations
- Abstract (if required): Brief summary of objectives, methods, and findings
- Introduction/Background: Context and significance of your research
- Research Question/Hypothesis: Clearly state what you are investigating
- Methods: Summarize procedures, can use a flow chart for clarity
- Results: Present main findings with visuals (charts, graphs, images)
- Conclusions/Discussion: Highlight significance, implications, and future directions
- References and Acknowledgments: Cite sources and thank contributors/funding

3. Design the Poster

Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise text5
Prioritize visuals over dense text—use graphs, diagrams, and images to communicate data
Maintain a logical flow and organized layout (left-to-right or top-to-bottom)
Choose readable fonts and appropriate colors for clarity and emphasis
Use software like PowerPoint or Illustrator

4. Review and Revise

Get feedback from mentors or peers
Check for clarity, visual appeal, and adherence to guidelines
Proofread for errors.

5. Print and Prepare to Present

Print the poster in the correct size and format
Practice your presentation—be ready to give a guided tour and answer questions

Get the Funding Conversation Started

Ann Serra, Dir. OSPRA
serraam@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1469

Quick Links

CAYUSE SUPPORT
Michele Favoretto
favoremi@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1428

Forms

Required Forms/Templates

Helpful Links

Working with OSPRA from project concept through award has significantly increased my awareness and understanding of the processes and UDM policies.

OSPRA Workshops

OSPRA offers a series of workshops throughout the academic year. Browse the workshop schedule and register today.

NEW Faculty Members

OSPRA Workshops offer the perfect opportunity to lean more about the sponsored research activities at UDM and gain an understanding of the process and policies. Register today.