Community Engaged Research Posters & Infographics: Home

Resources for designing posters and infographics to present Community-Based/Community- Engaged Research to non-academic audiences

Resources at the Library

Contact Us!

Exploring data and communicating findings through data visualization: Lorin Bruckner, Data Visualization Services Librarian

Using plain language and appropriate literacy/health literacy levels:Terri Ottosen, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian

Check Readability & Reading Levels in Word

MS Word allows you to check the reading level of a document, including readability scores, using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test and Flesch Reading Ease test.  Copy and paste sections of posters or infographics into Word, then

PC/Windows:

•File > Options > Proofing

•Under "When correcting spelling and grammar in Word"

•Select "Check grammar with spelling" 

•Select "Show readability statistics"

•Open a document and check the spelling using F7 or going to Review > Spelling & Grammar

After Word checks spelling and grammar, it displays information about the document’s reading level

•Important: You must correct or Ignore all errors found in the document for readability statistics to display.

MAC/iOS and further information

 

Guide Authors

This guide was created by

Grace Pelak, BS, Graduate Research Assistant, Health Sciences Library and MPH Candidate 2021, Gillings School of Global Public Health

Barbara Rochen Renner, PhD, Allied Health Sciences Liaison Librarian

With special thanks to:

Lorin Bruckner, Data Visualization Services Librarian (exploring data and communicating findings through data visualization)

Terri Ottosen, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian (Using plain language and appropriate literacy/health literacy levels) 

Communicate Research to the Community

Designing Posters for Community Audiences

Recent Presentations

Tips for Poster Design

Consult the resources below these tips for more information.

Know Your Audience

  • Who?  community leaders, community advocacy members, parents, other stakeholders
  • What?  are their interests and concerns? do they want to know? is most relevant to them?
    • Adapt to fit their needs
  • Respect cultural norms and customs 

Use Plain Language

  • Avoid acronyms and academic "buzz words"
  • Avoid scientific or academic specific language
  • Consider reading (grade) level 

Clear Communication

  • Present the most important points first
  • Break complex information into chunks
  • Use active voice

Academic vs. Community Poster Presentations

PEMAT Assessment Tool

The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool  (PEMAT) and User’s Guide

This tool can also be used with posters or infographics.

  • Checklist with online score sheet and instructions
  • Separate tools for print and audiovisual materials
  • Designed as a guide using a systematic method to determine whether patients will be able to understand and act on information.

 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Logo

Engaging with the audience during your presentation

Presenting to Community Stakeholders

  • Speak clearly and make eye contact
  • Communicate why your issue/topic is important within the first few sentences
  • Do not just read your poster
  • Do not overwhelm your audience with information
  • As with your poster, avoid use of acronyms or scientific jargon when you speak
  • Be culturally appropriate, use relevant examples. 

Resources

Using Images and Graphics

Tips for using images and graphics:

  • Make graphics relevant but appropriate to audience!
  • It is ok to be fun & creative when using graphics to communicate your message
  • Infographics or visualizations may best communicate results/findings

Resources:

  • Last Updated: Oct 8, 2021 8:36 AM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/CER-posters
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