research presentation in research methodology

Princeton Correspondents on Undergraduate Research

How to Make a Successful Research Presentation

Turning a research paper into a visual presentation is difficult; there are pitfalls, and navigating the path to a brief, informative presentation takes time and practice. As a TA for GEO/WRI 201: Methods in Data Analysis & Scientific Writing this past fall, I saw how this process works from an instructor’s standpoint. I’ve presented my own research before, but helping others present theirs taught me a bit more about the process. Here are some tips I learned that may help you with your next research presentation:

More is more

In general, your presentation will always benefit from more practice, more feedback, and more revision. By practicing in front of friends, you can get comfortable with presenting your work while receiving feedback. It is hard to know how to revise your presentation if you never practice. If you are presenting to a general audience, getting feedback from someone outside of your discipline is crucial. Terms and ideas that seem intuitive to you may be completely foreign to someone else, and your well-crafted presentation could fall flat.

Less is more

Limit the scope of your presentation, the number of slides, and the text on each slide. In my experience, text works well for organizing slides, orienting the audience to key terms, and annotating important figures–not for explaining complex ideas. Having fewer slides is usually better as well. In general, about one slide per minute of presentation is an appropriate budget. Too many slides is usually a sign that your topic is too broad.

research presentation in research methodology

Limit the scope of your presentation

Don’t present your paper. Presentations are usually around 10 min long. You will not have time to explain all of the research you did in a semester (or a year!) in such a short span of time. Instead, focus on the highlight(s). Identify a single compelling research question which your work addressed, and craft a succinct but complete narrative around it.

You will not have time to explain all of the research you did. Instead, focus on the highlights. Identify a single compelling research question which your work addressed, and craft a succinct but complete narrative around it.

Craft a compelling research narrative

After identifying the focused research question, walk your audience through your research as if it were a story. Presentations with strong narrative arcs are clear, captivating, and compelling.

Introduction (exposition — rising action)

Orient the audience and draw them in by demonstrating the relevance and importance of your research story with strong global motive. Provide them with the necessary vocabulary and background knowledge to understand the plot of your story. Introduce the key studies (characters) relevant in your story and build tension and conflict with scholarly and data motive. By the end of your introduction, your audience should clearly understand your research question and be dying to know how you resolve the tension built through motive.

Methods (rising action)

The methods section should transition smoothly and logically from the introduction. Beware of presenting your methods in a boring, arc-killing, ‘this is what I did.’ Focus on the details that set your story apart from the stories other people have already told. Keep the audience interested by clearly motivating your decisions based on your original research question or the tension built in your introduction.

Results (climax)

Less is usually more here. Only present results which are clearly related to the focused research question you are presenting. Make sure you explain the results clearly so that your audience understands what your research found. This is the peak of tension in your narrative arc, so don’t undercut it by quickly clicking through to your discussion.

Discussion (falling action)

By now your audience should be dying for a satisfying resolution. Here is where you contextualize your results and begin resolving the tension between past research. Be thorough. If you have too many conflicts left unresolved, or you don’t have enough time to present all of the resolutions, you probably need to further narrow the scope of your presentation.

Conclusion (denouement)

Return back to your initial research question and motive, resolving any final conflicts and tying up loose ends. Leave the audience with a clear resolution of your focus research question, and use unresolved tension to set up potential sequels (i.e. further research).

Use your medium to enhance the narrative

Visual presentations should be dominated by clear, intentional graphics. Subtle animation in key moments (usually during the results or discussion) can add drama to the narrative arc and make conflict resolutions more satisfying. You are narrating a story written in images, videos, cartoons, and graphs. While your paper is mostly text, with graphics to highlight crucial points, your slides should be the opposite. Adapting to the new medium may require you to create or acquire far more graphics than you included in your paper, but it is necessary to create an engaging presentation.

The most important thing you can do for your presentation is to practice and revise. Bother your friends, your roommates, TAs–anybody who will sit down and listen to your work. Beyond that, think about presentations you have found compelling and try to incorporate some of those elements into your own. Remember you want your work to be comprehensible; you aren’t creating experts in 10 minutes. Above all, try to stay passionate about what you did and why. You put the time in, so show your audience that it’s worth it.

For more insight into research presentations, check out these past PCUR posts written by Emma and Ellie .

— Alec Getraer, Natural Sciences Correspondent

Research Posters and Presentations

Research Presentations

Plan your presentation

Know your audience

Presentation Guidelines and Outline

Presentation Slides

More Tips on Presentation Slides:

Finalize your slides

Use ihp presentation template.

Research Posters
Resources for Research Presentations and Posters

You will probably engage with research studies throughout your professional journey as a faculty member or student. After extensive work on the study, one of the main goals is to showcase what you did and what are the results of your study in order to either be an inspiration for others to do the investigations in that topic area or you want to inform people about the results that are important in the clinical practice and future research studies.

For this purpose, turning your research paper into a visual presentation is essential. You can prepare a visual presentation with different free or paid programs like Microsoft PowerPoint. But before everything let’s organize what we have to do from the start to the end.

Research Presentation Steps

Determine the purpose of your presentation
Identify your objectives
Double-check your research presentation guidelines
Make an outline for your presentation
Prepare the content for each section of the outline
Choose the presentation program
Create presentation slides
Practice your delivery

In this LibGuide, we will explore some of these steps to learn about practical actions in order to prepare a perfect research presentation.

Who is your audience?

Understand who will be attending your presentation and their primary backgrounds. Some audiences may share similar traits, while others may have diverse perspectives.

How familiar are they with your topic?

Assess the audience’s exposure to your subject. Is this topic common knowledge for them, or is it likely to be new information?

What questions might they have?

Anticipate the questions your audience may ask about your subject. Preparing answers in advance helps you maintain their engagement and avoid getting sidetracked by unexpected issues.

Double-check your research presentation guidelines and make an outline

Before starting your presentation, ensure you have checked any specific guidelines provided. If there are no specific guidelines, the following outline can serve as a helpful guide (chartier. 2023). This outline assumes a presentation length of 10-15 minutes, but you can adjust it if you have more time.

Title Slide (1 slide) - This is a placeholder to give some visual interest and display the topic until your presentation begins.
Short Introduction (2-3 slides) - This is where you pique the interest of your audience and establish the key questions your presentation covers. Give context to your study with a brief review of the literature (focus on key points, not a full review). If your study relates to any particularly relevant issues, mention it here to increase the audience's interest in the topic.
Hypothesis and/or research questions (1 slide) - Clearly state your hypothesis or research questions.
Description of Methods (2-3 slides) - Clearly, but briefly, summarize your study design including a clear description of the study population, the sample size and any instruments or manipulations to gather the data.
Results and Data Interpretation (2-4 slides) - Illustrate your results through simple tables, graphs, and images. Remind the audience of your hypothesis or research questions and discuss your interpretation of the data/results.
Discussion/Conclusion (2-3 slides) - Further interpret your results. If you had any sources of error or difficulties with your methods, discuss them here and address how they could be (or were) improved. Discuss your findings as part of the bigger picture and connect them to potential further outcomes or areas of study.
Closing (1 slide) - If anyone supported your research with guidance, awards, or funding, be sure to recognize their contribution. If your presentation includes a Q&A session, open the floor to questions.

From: Chartier, M. (2023). How to Present Your Research (Guidelines and Tips) . Fourwaves. https://fourwaves.com/blog/how-to-present-research/

Additionally, the American College of Physicians (ACP) offers comprehensive guidelines for research presentations that are beneficial to review.

- Research Presentation – Generic Outline

- Preparing the Research Presentation Checklist

Organize content for each slide and b ased on the time and the type of the presentation, make engaging slides.

This is ten simple rules for effective presentation slides by Naegle (2021):

Include only one idea per slide
Spend only one minute per slide
Make use of your heading
Include only essential points
Give credit where credit is due
Use graphics effectively
Design to avoid cognitive overload
Design the slide so that a distracted person gets the main takeaway
Iteratively improve slide design through practice
Design to mitigate the impact of technical disasters

You can refer here for a complete description of each rule.

Naegle, K. M. (2021). Ten simple rules for effective presentation slides. PLoS Computational Biology , 17 (12), e1009554. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009554

How to Create and Deliver a Research Presentation

Every research endeavor ends up with the communication of its findings. Graduate-level research culminates in a thesis defense , while many academic and scientific disciplines are published in peer-reviewed journals. In a business context, PowerPoint research presentation is the default format for reporting the findings to stakeholders.

Condensing months of work into a few slides can prove to be challenging. It requires particular skills to create and deliver a research presentation that promotes informed decisions and drives long-term projects forward.

Table of Contents

What is a Research Presentation

Key slides for creating a research presentation, tips when delivering a research presentation, how to present sources in a research presentation, recommended templates to create a research presentation.

A research presentation is the communication of research findings, typically delivered to an audience of peers, colleagues, students, or professionals. In the academe, it is meant to showcase the importance of the research paper , state the findings and the analysis of those findings, and seek feedback that could further the research.

The presentation of research becomes even more critical in the business world as the insights derived from it are the basis of strategic decisions of organizations. Information from this type of report can aid companies in maximizing the sales and profit of their business. Major projects such as research and development (R&D) in a new field, the launch of a new product or service, or even corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives will require the presentation of research findings to prove their feasibility.

Market research and technical research are examples of business-type research presentations you will commonly encounter.

In this article, we’ve compiled all the essential tips, including some examples and templates, to get you started with creating and delivering a stellar research presentation tailored specifically for the business context.

Various research suggests that the average attention span of adults during presentations is around 20 minutes, with a notable drop in an engagement at the 10-minute mark . Beyond that, you might see your audience doing other things.

How can you avoid such a mistake? The answer lies in the adage “keep it simple, stupid” or KISS. We don’t mean dumbing down your content but rather presenting it in a way that is easily digestible and accessible to your audience. One way you can do this is by organizing your research presentation using a clear structure.

Here are the slides you should prioritize when creating your research presentation PowerPoint.

1. Title Page

The title page is the first thing your audience will see during your presentation, so put extra effort into it to make an impression. Of course, writing presentation titles and title pages will vary depending on the type of presentation you are to deliver. In the case of a research presentation, you want a formal and academic-sounding one. It should include:

The full title of the report
The date of the report
The name of the researchers or department in charge of the report
The name of the organization for which the presentation is intended

When writing the title of your research presentation, it should reflect the topic and objective of the report. Focus only on the subject and avoid adding redundant phrases like “A research on” or “A study on.” However, you may use phrases like “Market Analysis” or “Feasibility Study” because they help identify the purpose of the presentation. Doing so also serves a long-term purpose for the filing and later retrieving of the document.

Here’s a sample title page for a hypothetical market research presentation from Gillette .

2. Executive Summary Slide

The executive summary marks the beginning of the body of the presentation, briefly summarizing the key discussion points of the research. Specifically, the summary may state the following:

The purpose of the investigation and its significance within the organization’s goals
The methods used for the investigation
The major findings of the investigation
The conclusions and recommendations after the investigation

Although the executive summary encompasses the entry of the research presentation, it should not dive into all the details of the work on which the findings, conclusions, and recommendations were based. Creating the executive summary requires a focus on clarity and brevity, especially when translating it to a PowerPoint document where space is limited.

Each point should be presented in a clear and visually engaging manner to capture the audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of the presentation. Use visuals, bullet points, and minimal text to convey information efficiently.

Executive Summary slide in a Research Presentation

3. Introduction/ Project Description Slides

In this section, your goal is to provide your audience with the information that will help them understand the details of the presentation. Provide a detailed description of the project, including its goals, objectives, scope, and methods for gathering and analyzing data.

You want to answer these fundamental questions:

What specific questions are you trying to answer, problems you aim to solve, or opportunities you seek to explore?
Why is this project important, and what prompted it?
What are the boundaries of your research or initiative?
How were the data gathered?

Important: The introduction should exclude specific findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Action Evaluation Matrix in a Research Presentation

4. Data Presentation and Analyses Slides

This is the longest section of a research presentation, as you’ll present the data you’ve gathered and provide a thorough analysis of that data to draw meaningful conclusions. The format and components of this section can vary widely, tailored to the specific nature of your research.

For example, if you are doing market research, you may include the market potential estimate, competitor analysis, and pricing analysis. These elements will help your organization determine the actual viability of a market opportunity.

Visual aids like charts, graphs, tables, and diagrams are potent tools to convey your key findings effectively. These materials may be numbered and sequenced (Figure 1, Figure 2, and so forth), accompanied by text to make sense of the insights.

Data and Analysis slide in a Research Presentation

5. Conclusions

The conclusion of a research presentation is where you pull together the ideas derived from your data presentation and analyses in light of the purpose of the research. For example, if the objective is to assess the market of a new product, the conclusion should determine the requirements of the market in question and tell whether there is a product-market fit.

Designing your conclusion slide should be straightforward and focused on conveying the key takeaways from your research. Keep the text concise and to the point. Present it in bullet points or numbered lists to make the content easily scannable.

Conclusion Slide in a Research Presentation

6. Recommendations

The findings of your research might reveal elements that may not align with your initial vision or expectations. These deviations are addressed in the recommendations section of your presentation, which outlines the best course of action based on the result of the research.

What emerging markets should we target next? Do we need to rethink our pricing strategies? Which professionals should we hire for this special project? — these are some of the questions that may arise when coming up with this part of the research.

Recommendations may be combined with the conclusion, but presenting them separately to reinforce their urgency. In the end, the decision-makers in the organization or your clients will make the final call on whether to accept or decline the recommendations.

Recommendations slide in Research Presentation

7. Questions Slide

Members of your audience are not involved in carrying out your research activity, which means there’s a lot they don’t know about its details. By offering an opportunity for questions, you can invite them to bridge that gap, seek clarification, and engage in a dialogue that enhances their understanding.

If your research is more business-oriented, facilitating a question and answer after your presentation becomes imperative as it’s your final appeal to encourage buy-in for your recommendations.

A simple “Ask us anything” slide can indicate that you are ready to accept questions.

If you need a quick method to create a research presentation, check out our AI presentation maker . A tool in which you add the topic, curate the outline, select a design, and let AI do the work for you. Alternatively, check our tutorial on how to convert a research paper to presentation using AI .

1. Focus on the Most Important Findings

The truth about presenting research findings is that your audience doesn’t need to know everything. Instead, they should receive a distilled, clear, and meaningful overview that focuses on the most critical aspects.

You will likely have to squeeze in the oral presentation of your research into a 10 to 20-minute presentation, so you have to make the most out of the time given to you. In the presentation, don’t soak in the less important elements like historical backgrounds. Decision-makers might even ask you to skip these portions and focus on sharing the findings.

2. Do Not Read Word-per-word

Reading word-for-word from your presentation slides intensifies the danger of losing your audience’s interest. Its effect can be detrimental, especially if the purpose of your research presentation is to gain approval from the audience. So, how can you avoid this mistake?

Make a conscious design decision to keep the text on your slides minimal. Your slides should serve as visual cues to guide your presentation.
Structure your presentation as a narrative or story. Stories are more engaging and memorable than dry, factual information.
Prepare speaker notes with the key points of your research. Glance at it when needed.
Engage with the audience by maintaining eye contact and asking rhetorical questions.

3. Don’t Go Without Handouts

Handouts are paper copies of your presentation slides that you distribute to your audience. They typically contain the summary of your key points, but they may also provide supplementary information supporting data presented through tables and graphs.

The purpose of distributing presentation handouts is to easily retain the key points you presented as they become good references in the future. Distributing handouts in advance allows your audience to review the material and come prepared with questions or points for discussion during the presentation. Also, check our article about how to create handouts for a presentation .

4. Actively Listen

An equally important skill that a presenter must possess aside from speaking is the ability to listen. We are not just talking about listening to what the audience is saying but also considering their reactions and nonverbal cues. If you sense disinterest or confusion, you can adapt your approach on the fly to re-engage them.

For example, if some members of your audience are exchanging glances, they may be skeptical of the research findings you are presenting. This is the best time to reassure them of the validity of your data and provide a concise overview of how it came to be. You may also encourage them to seek clarification.

5. Be Confident

Anxiety can strike before a presentation – it’s a common reaction whenever someone has to speak in front of others. If you can’t eliminate your stress, try to manage it.

People hate public speaking not because they simply hate it. Most of the time, it arises from one’s belief in themselves. You don’t have to take our word for it. Take Maslow’s theory that says a threat to one’s self-esteem is a source of distress among an individual.

Now, how can you master this feeling? You’ve spent a lot of time on your research, so there is no question about your topic knowledge. Perhaps you just need to rehearse your research presentation. If you know what you will say and how to say it, you will gain confidence in presenting your work.

All sources you use in creating your research presentation should be given proper credit. The APA Style is the most widely used citation style in formal research.

In-text citation

Add references within the text of your presentation slide by giving the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number (if applicable) in parentheses after direct quotations or paraphrased materials. As in:

The alarming rate at which global temperatures rise directly impacts biodiversity (Smith, 2020, p. 27).

If the author’s name and year of publication are mentioned in the text, add only the page number in parentheses after the quotations or paraphrased materials. As in:

According to Smith (2020), the alarming rate at which global temperatures rise directly impacts biodiversity (p. 27).

Image citation

All images from the web, including photos, graphs, and tables, used in your slides should be credited using the format below.

Creator’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Image.” Website Name, Day Mo. Year, URL. Accessed Day Mo. Year.

Work cited page

A work cited page or reference list should follow after the last slide of your presentation. The list should be alphabetized by the author’s last name and initials followed by the year of publication, the title of the book or article, the place of publication, and the publisher. As in:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Climate Change and Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Study. New York, NY: ABC Publications.

When citing a document from a website, add the source URL after the title of the book or article instead of the place of publication and the publisher. As in:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Climate Change and Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Study. Retrieved from https://www.smith.com/climate-change-and-biodiversity.

1. Research Project Presentation PowerPoint Template

A slide deck containing 18 different slides intended to take off the weight of how to make a research presentation. With tons of visual aids, presenters can reference existing research on similar projects to this one – or link another research presentation example – provide an accurate data analysis, disclose the methodology used, and much more.

Use This Template

2. Research Presentation Scientific Method Diagram PowerPoint Template

Whenever you intend to raise questions, expose the methodology you used for your research, or even suggest a scientific method approach for future analysis, this circular wheel diagram is a perfect fit for any presentation study.

Customize all of its elements to suit the demands of your presentation in just minutes.

3. Thesis Research Presentation PowerPoint Template

If your research presentation project belongs to academia, then this is the slide deck to pair that presentation. With a formal aesthetic and minimalistic style, this research presentation template focuses only on exposing your information as clearly as possible.

Use its included bar charts and graphs to introduce data, change the background of each slide to suit the topic of your presentation, and customize each of its elements to meet the requirements of your project with ease.

4. Animated Research Cards PowerPoint Template

Visualize ideas and their connection points with the help of this research card template for PowerPoint. This slide deck, for example, can help speakers talk about alternative concepts to what they are currently managing and its possible outcomes, among different other usages this versatile PPT template has. Zoom Animation effects make a smooth transition between cards (or ideas).

5. Research Presentation Slide Deck for PowerPoint

With a distinctive professional style, this research presentation PPT template helps business professionals and academics alike to introduce the findings of their work to team members or investors.

By accessing this template, you get the following slides:

Introduction
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Conceptual Research Framework (Concepts, Theories, Actors, & Constructs)
Study design and methods
Population & Sampling
Data Collection
Data Analysis

Check it out today and craft a powerful research presentation out of it!

A successful research presentation in business is not just about presenting data; it’s about persuasion to take meaningful action. It’s the bridge that connects your research efforts to the strategic initiatives of your organization. To embark on this journey successfully, planning your presentation thoroughly is paramount, from designing your PowerPoint to the delivery.

Take a look and get inspiration from the sample research presentation slides above, put our tips to heart, and transform your research findings into a compelling call to action.

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Research presentation: A comprehensive guide

Learn how to choose a topic, conduct research, create visuals, and deliver your presentation with confidence.

Raja Bothra

Building presentations

Hey there, fellow knowledge seekers!

Today, we're diving deep into the world of research presentations.

Whether you're a student gearing up for your undergraduate research showcase or a professional preparing for a crucial job interview, mastering the art of delivering an effective research presentation is a valuable skill.

What is a research presentation?

A research presentation is a means to communicate your findings, insights, and discoveries to an audience, be it in a classroom, at a conference, or in a boardroom. It's your opportunity to showcase your expertise and share the results of your hard work.

Purpose of a research presentation

Before we dive into the intricacies of creating a stellar research presentation, let's explore the underlying reasons that make these presentations indispensable. The purpose of a research presentation is not merely to present data but to serve as a powerful tool for communication and engagement.

Sharing knowledge

At its core, a research presentation is a conduit for sharing knowledge, disseminating your research findings, and illuminating the uncharted realms of your work. It's about taking the complex and making it comprehensible, even captivating.

Academic evaluation

In the realm of academia, research presentations play a pivotal role in the evaluation process. They are your platform to defend a dissertation or thesis with vigor and confidence. Moreover, they are your plea for research funding, where your passion and precision could tip the scales in your favor.

Professional communication

Beyond the academic sphere, research presentations find a home in the corporate world, such as job interview s. In these scenarios, your presentation serves as a bridge, connecting your ideas with potential employers. It's an opportunity to demonstrate not just your research skills but also your ability to communicate them effectively.

The bigger picture

Your research presentation is more than just slides and data; it's an embodiment of your dedication and expertise. It's a tool for persuading, inspiring, and inciting action. It's a gateway to engage, educate, and advocate, whether in academic circles, professional settings, or public platforms.

A universal canvas

Regardless of the context, the core objectives of a research presentation remain constant:

Dissemination of information : Sharing insights and discoveries for the collective advancement of knowledge.
Engagement : Creating a presentation that captivates and effectively conveys complex ideas.
Feedback and discussion : Welcoming questions, feedback, and discussions that refine and expand your research.
Peer review : Serving as part of the peer-review process in academia, where experts evaluate the quality and validity of your work.
Educational : Actively contributing to education by disseminating valuable information about a particular topic or research area.
Persuasion : In cases like grant applications, presentations aim to persuade the audience to support or fund the research project.
Networking : An opportunity to connect with peers, professionals, and stakeholders interested in your field.
Professional development : A chance to enhance your communication skills and professional development.
Public awareness : Raising public awareness about significant issues or findings that have a direct impact on society.

Your research presentation is not merely a sequence of slides but a powerful tool for communication and connection. Whether you're in the academic realm, the corporate world, or the public sphere, your ability to convey your research clearly and engagingly is pivotal to your success. Remember, you're not just presenting data; you're sharing knowledge, engaging your audience, and advocating for a cause.

Different types of research presentation

Research presentations are as diverse as the research itself, and the choice of presentation format is crucial. It depends on factors like the audience, the research's nature, and the specific goals of the presentation. Let's explore the myriad forms research presentations can take:

1. Oral presentations

Conference presentations : These formal presentations are typically held at academic conferences, where researchers present their findings to a specialized audience. It's a platform for in-depth discussions and peer feedback.
Seminar presentations : Often conducted at universities or research institutions, these presentations delve deep into research topics, encouraging detailed discussions and expert insights.
Lecture series : A series of lectures focused on a particular research topic, usually organized by universities. These sessions offer a comprehensive exploration of a subject.

2. Poster presentations

Conference posters : Visual presentations of research findings displayed on large posters, commonly used at academic conferences. They provide a snapshot of research, making complex data more accessible.
Academic fairs : Frequently used to showcase research projects at the undergraduate or high school level. These exhibitions make research engaging for students.

3. Online/webinar presentations

Webinars : Online presentations where researchers share their work with a remote audience. These presentations often include interactive elements, like Q&A sessions.
Online workshops : Hands-on, interactive presentations that teach research methodologies or specific skills. Ideal for engaging the audience in a virtual setting.

4. Thesis or dissertation defense: Researchers defend their doctoral or master's theses or dissertations before a committee. It involves explaining their research in-depth and responding to questions.

5. Ignite or pecha kucha presentations : These are fast-paced presentations where presenters use a fixed number of slides and limited time per slide to convey their research succinctly. It's a dynamic format that encourages clarity and conciseness.

6. Panel discussions: Researchers participate in a discussion alongside other experts, sharing their perspectives on a specific topic

or research area. These discussions provide a well-rounded view of the subject.

7. TED talks or public lectures: Researchers present their work to a general audience in an engaging and accessible manner. The focus is on making complex ideas understandable and captivating.

8. Corporate research presentations: Researchers may present their findings to colleagues, executives, or stakeholders in a business or industry setting. These presentations often have practical applications and implications for the company.

9. Pitch presentations: Researchers may need to pitch their research project to potential funders , collaborators, or sponsors. This format requires the ability to convey the research's value and potential impact effectively.

10. Media interviews: Researchers can present their work through interviews with journalists, on television, radio, podcasts, or in written articles. The challenge here is to convey complex ideas to a broad audience.

11. Educational workshops: These presentations occur in an educational context, where researchers teach others about a particular subject or research method. It's a way to transfer knowledge and skills effectively.

12. Research reports: These formal written reports communicate research findings and are presented in a document format. They are often used for thorough documentation and publication.

13. Interactive exhibits: Researchers create interactive exhibits at science centers or museums to engage the public with their research. It's about making research accessible and engaging to a wide audience.

14. Government or policy briefings: Researchers may present their work to policymakers, helping to inform decision-making. These presentations have a direct impact on policy and require clarity and relevance.

15. Peer review: In the academic realm, researchers present their work to a group of peers for constructive feedback before formal publication. It's an essential step in ensuring the quality and validity of research.

In the world of research presentations, adaptability is key. Researchers often need to tailor their content and style to suit the context and meet the expectations of their audience. Remember, the choice of presentation type should align with your goals and the nature of your research. Each format has its unique strengths and is a valuable tool for sharing knowledge, engaging your audience, and achieving your research objectives.

What should a research presentation include?

A research presentation is not just a random assortment of slides; it's a meticulously crafted narrative that informs, engages, and inspires. Regardless of the type of presentation you opt for, there are some indispensable components to consider:

Introduction: Your presentation journey begins with the introduction—a compelling opening act. This is where you introduce your topic, explain its significance, and clearly state your research question or hypothesis. Think of it as setting the stage for the story you're about to tell.

Background: The background section is your opportunity to equip your audience with the necessary context to grasp the intricacies of your research. This may encompass discussions on relevant theories, prior research, and fundamental concepts that lay the foundation for your work. It's about ensuring your audience starts on the same page.

Methodology: This section provides an insight into the "how" of your research. Share the methods you employed in conducting your research, such as data collection techniques, sampling procedures, and your chosen methods of analysis. It's a backstage pass to the mechanics of your study.

Results: With the methodology unveiled, it's time to present the star of the show—your findings. This section is where you shine a spotlight on your results, delivering them in a clear and concise manner. Visual aids, such as tables, graphs, and other visuals, can be invaluable allies in communicating your results effectively.

Discussion: As you transition from presenting results, you enter the realm of interpretation and discussion. Here, you dissect your findings, analyzing their implications and discussing their real-world significance. Don't forget to address the limitations of your study and suggest future research directions.

Conclusion: In the grand finale of your presentation, it's time to bring the pieces together. Summarize your main points, reiterate the importance of your research, and leave your audience with a lasting impression. A compelling conclusion can be the key to a memorable presentation.

Q&A session: Your presentation isn't just a monologue; it's a dialogue with your audience. Provide an opportunity for engagement and clarification through a Q&A session. Allow your audience to ask questions, offer feedback, and explore the nuances of your research.

Contact information: Consider including a slide with your contact information. This way, curious audience members can reach out to you with questions, feedback, or collaboration opportunities. It's a subtle but essential way to maintain the conversation beyond the presentation.

It's important to note that the specific content and length of your research presentation may vary based on your audience and time constraints. For instance, if your audience is general and diverse, dedicating more time to background and discussion can enhance comprehension. On the other hand, when presenting to experts in your field, you can streamline these sections and focus on the intricate details of your methodology and results.

How to structure an effective research presentation

Crafting an effective research presentation is akin to weaving a compelling narrative. It's about captivating your audience while imparting knowledge. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to structure a presentation that leaves a lasting impression:

Title slide : Your presentation begins with the title slide, your first impression. Include the title of your presentation, your name, affiliation, and the date. This slide sets the stage for your audience, providing essential information about what they are about to learn.

Introduction : The introduction is your opportunity to grab your audience's attention and set the stage for your presentation. Start with a hook, like a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or even a touch of humor if it fits naturally. Additionally, in the introduction, provide background and context for your research, clearly state your research question or objectives, and explain why your research is important or relevant.

Literature review : In this section, briefly summarize key research in your field related to your topic. Highlight gaps or areas where your research contributes. If relevant, mention theories or models that underpin your work, demonstrating your understanding of the existing body of knowledge.

Methodology : Explain the nuts and bolts of your research methods. Share the methods you used, whether they were surveys, experiments, case studies, or any other approach. Include details of data collection procedures, sample size, and data analysis techniques. If ethical considerations played a role, mention them here.

Data presentation : This is where you unveil your research findings using visuals like charts, graphs, and tables. Make sure to explain the significance of each visual and its relation to your research question, using clear and concise labels for data points. Highlight key results or trends that are critical to your narrative, making it easier for your audience to grasp the key takeaways.

Discussion : Interpret the data and discuss its implications. This section should explain how your findings relate to your research question or objectives. Address any limitations or potential sources of bias and offer insights into the broader implications and practical applications of your research. It's a critical part where you demonstrate your analytical skills and the value of your work.

Conclusion : In the grand finale of your presentation, summarize the main points and reiterate the significance of your research and its contribution to the field. Suggest potential areas for future research, inviting your audience to continue the journey and emphasizing the continuity of the research.

Q&A session : Now, it's time to engage your audience. Invite questions and be prepared to provide detailed answers and clarify any doubts. This interaction adds depth to your presentation and ensures your audience's comprehension.

References : Include a list of all the sources you cited during your presentation. This shows your commitment to sound research practices and allows your audience to delve deeper into the literature if they wish.

Acknowledgments (if necessary) : If your research received support from funding sources, collaborators, or institutions, acknowledge them at this point. Gratitude goes a long way in the academic community, and it's essential to recognize those who contributed to your work.

Additional Tips:

Keep your presentation concise and focused to avoid overwhelming your audience with an excess of information.
Use visual aids effectively, but remember, less is often more. Avoid overcrowding slides with excessive text or data.
Practice your presentation multiple times to ensure a smooth delivery and stay within the allotted time.
Engage with your audience throughout. Ask questions, encourage discussion, and make eye contact to maintain their interest.
Speak clearly and confidently, avoiding jargon or overly technical language whenever possible.
Adapt your style and level of detail to your audience's background and interests. The key to an effective research presentation lies in clear, organized, and engaging communication, ensuring your message not only informs but also captivates your audience.

Do’s and Don'ts of a Research Presentation

Delivering a successful research presentation is crucial for conveying your findings and insights effectively. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

Know your audience: Tailor your presentation to your audience's background and interests. Consider whether they are experts in the field or have limited prior knowledge.
Structure your presentation: Organize your presentation with a clear structure. Start with an introduction, outline your methodology, present your results, and conclude with key takeaways and implications.
Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure a smooth and confident delivery. Practice also helps you manage your time effectively.
Use visuals: Incorporate visuals like graphs, charts, and images to make complex data more accessible. Visual aids should be clear, concise, and relevant.
Engage your audience: Use stories, anecdotes, or questions to capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged. Encourage questions and discussions.
Speak clearly and slowly: Enunciate your words clearly and avoid speaking too fast. This makes it easier for your audience to follow your presentation.
Keep slides simple: Limit the amount of information on each slide. Use bullet points, not paragraphs. Avoid excessive animations and transitions.
Cite sources: Acknowledge and cite the work of others when presenting their ideas or research. This shows academic integrity.
Anticipate questions: Be prepared to answer questions about your research. It demonstrates your expertise and thorough understanding of the topic.
Time management: Stick to your allotted time. Respect your audience's time by not going over the time limit.

Don'ts:

Don't overload slides: Avoid cluttered or text-heavy slides. They can overwhelm your audience and distract from your key points.
Don't read directly from slides: Your slides should support your presentation, not replace it. Avoid reading verbatim from your slides.
Don't rush: Speaking too quickly can make it hard for the audience to follow your presentation. Speak at a measured pace.
Don't assume prior knowledge: Don't assume that your audience is familiar with your topic. Provide sufficient background information to ensure understanding.
Don't wing it: Winging a research presentation can lead to disorganization and confusion. Preparation is key to a successful presentation.
Don't get defensive: If someone challenges your research, remain composed and open to constructive criticism. Avoid becoming defensive or confrontational.
Don't neglect visual design: Poorly designed visuals can detract from your presentation. Pay attention to design principles for your slides.
Don't oversimplify or overcomplicate: Strike a balance between simplifying complex ideas and providing enough detail for your audience to grasp the topic.
Don't use jargon unnecessarily: Avoid overusing technical jargon or acronyms. If you must use them, explain them for the benefit of non-experts.
Don't monopolize the Q&A: Give all audience members an opportunity to ask questions. Don't allow one or two people to dominate the Q&A session.

Summarizing key takeaways

Purpose of research presentation : Research presentations are essential for sharing knowledge, academic evaluation, professional communication, and more.
Types of research presentations : They come in various formats, like oral, poster, webinars, and more, and should match your goals.
Content of a research presentation : Typically includes an introduction, background, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, Q&A, references, and acknowledgments (if needed).
Structuring an effective presentation : Organize your presentation logically, use visuals, practice, engage your audience, and speak clearly.
Do's : Do tailor to your audience, structure well, and use visuals.
Don'ts : Don't overload slides, rush, assume prior knowledge, or neglect design.

FAQ's about research Presentation

1. how can i create a research presentation that stands out.

When creating your research presentation, consider using prezent, powerpoint presentation or other presentation software to help you prepare a visually appealing presentation. Utilizing presentation templates can provide you with a professional and organized look. Try to include appropriate graphics that enhance your content and help you avoid using too much text. Remember that the purpose of your presentation is to present your research in a way that your audience can follow, so use different fonts, but make sure to keep font size and style consistent for headings and content.

2. How many slides should I have in my research presentation?

A rule of thumb for creating a research presentation is to aim for approximately one to five minutes per slide. For a 15-minute presentation, you might have around 15 to 75 slides. However, the number of slides can vary depending on your content. Avoid using too much detail, and keep it simple to maintain your audience's engagement.

3. Should I use a handout as part of my research presentation?

You don't need to provide a handout as part of your research presentation, but it can be a helpful addition. Including a handout can help your audience take notes and refer back to important things you've discussed. Be sure to include your name and contact details on the handout so that your audience knows how to reach you.

4. What should I do when giving an in-person research presentation?

When giving an in-person presentation, it's essential to use a projector and present your research paper slowly and clearly. Make sure the audience can see the content from a few feet away, and use sans-serif fonts, such as Arial, for better contrast and readability. Remember not to read word for word from your presentation slides; instead, use them as a guide. Also, be prepared to answer questions as you go and engage with your audience.

5. How can I make my research presentation suitable for a symposium in the social sciences, for example?

To make your research presentation suitable for a symposium in the social sciences or any specific field, first, decide whether your audience needs a more technical or general overview of your work. Adapt the content and the appropriate graphics accordingly. Use a table of contents to help guide your presentation, and present your research in a manner that aligns with the expectations of the audience in your field. Make sure your presentation design and content are tailored to your audience and the nature of the symposium.

Create your research presentation with prezent

Creating a compelling research presentation is an essential skill for academics and professionals alike. Prezent, a powerful communication success platform, offers an innovative solution for crafting engaging and brand-compliant research presentations. With Prezent, you can save valuable time and streamline your presentation creation process. The platform's AI presentation tool combines audience preferences, personalized fingerprints, and a presentation builder to help you deliver impactful research findings.

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Resource Library
Research Methods
VIVA Grant Recipients
Vgr-social-work-research

Education Standards

Radford university.

Learning Domain: Social Work

Standard: Basic Research Methodology

Lesson 10: Sampling in Qualitative Research

Lesson 11: qualitative measurement & rigor, lesson 12: qualitative design & data gathering, lesson 1: introduction to research, lesson 2: getting started with your research project, lesson 3: critical information literacy, lesson 4: paradigm, theory, and causality, lesson 5: research questions, lesson 6: ethics, lesson 7: measurement in quantitative research, lesson 8: sampling in quantitative research, lesson 9: quantitative research designs, powerpoint slides: sowk 621.01: research i: basic research methodology.

PowerPoint Slides: SOWK 621.01: Research I: Basic Research Methodology

The twelve lessons for SOWK 621.01: Research I: Basic Research Methodology as previously taught by Dr. Matthew DeCarlo at Radford University. Dr. DeCarlo and his team developed a complete package of materials that includes a textbook, ancillary materials, and a student workbook as part of a VIVA Open Course Grant.

The PowerPoint slides associated with the twelve lessons of the course, SOWK 621.01: Research I: Basic Research Methodology, as previously taught by Dr. Matthew DeCarlo at Radford University.

Version History

Guide to Research Methods

About the guide

This guide will

Introduce you to a range of research methods
Help you think about the value and limitations of different research methods
Identify when to use alternative research methods

You should use the guide

After or while you establish your research questions (See the Guide to Research Questions )
When you are completing your Research Design Framework
When you are thinking about who you want to talk to and why (See the Guide to Sampling )

You should print or read this guide

These slides are set up so that they can be printed back to back (two/four sided) to give:

A short hand overview about when to use each method
A summary of the method, what it’s good for and limitations (linking to other slides in this pack)

Choosing research methods

When you need to think about which method is best in theory and in practice

Choosing Research Methods

Providing a rationale for the methods you choose to use and how you employ them.

What are your research goals? If you are looking to influence experts or policy makers, quantitative approaches will add weight to your findings. If you are looking to understand problems, inform innovation or develop a prototype, look at qualitative methods or user research
What are your research questions? If they begin with ‘explore’ or ‘what’ look at qualitative methods (talking). If they begin with ‘identify’ or ‘why’ look at quantitative (see guide to research questions )
What research traditions exist? You may choose to follow or challenge them. Think about whether you want your research to be noted for its quality and robustness or creative approach and unique insights
What are your/your teams skills? You may not be an expert in the most appropriate method so consider asking for other team members or commissioning out research
Who are you research participants? Think about your relationship to participants (especially if you are doing qualitative research) and how they will respond to you and the method. Consider if they are often consulted or surveyed and whether if could be helpful or unhelpful to stick with their comfort zone or not.

Using online tools

When you need to decide which tools to use for research

What to think about when choosing a tool to conduct research

What’s the cost to the research quality ? Most tools are ‘freemium’, use a basic version for free. BUT these are designed to annoy you to pay to do good research. Consider privacy settings, data access, storage and value for money. Survey tools will have no option to filter participants (if yes/no answer this q), a 10Q limit, no branding. Mapping/visualisations are published online and open source tools aren’t always user friendly
Start with user needs, understand the context and think about everyone. Consider what technology they have, how they will access the tool and what they need to do this. Do they have internet, data, time?
Be creative: Online tools may not be designed for research, but Google Forms, Trello, Workflowy and Slack are all valuable collaboration tools. Twitter and Facebook polls may increase participation in research. However, think about what they are missing, what they can’t do and pilot your analysis approach first
See what’s out there: This online sheet of Applied Social Research Guides and Resources includes a list of online tools for research and evaluation to test. Those widely used for your research method or sector are likely to be the best starting point. Some tools allow you to do research (see Tags for Twitter data capture), analyse it or present it in new ways (see Raw Graph s for data visualisation)

Contents: Methods summary

Structured Interviews : When you want to gain a broad range of perspectives about specific questions
Semi-Structured Interviews : When you want to gain in-depth insights about broad questions
Unstructured Interviews : When you want to gain in-depth insights about a complex research topics
Telephone Interviews : A tool for when you want to interview people quickly and easily
Guerilla Interviews : When you want to carry out user research or explore general perspectives quickly
Contextual Interviews : When you want to understand actions and particular experiences indepth and in context
Focus Groups : When you want to understand shared experiences and different perspectives
Participant Observation : When you want to ‘learn by doing’ or observe social interactions and behaviour
Ethnography : When you want to experience social practices, interactions and behaviour with minimal influence
Surveys: When you want to generate numerical data about the scale of people’s opinions and feelings
Mixed Methods: When one method cannot fully answer your main research question
User Research : When you want to learn about the behaviours and motivations of your target audience
Service Design Research : When you want to design a service to meet people’s needs.
Content Analysis : When you want to understand public discourse through secondary or online data
Workshops : When you want to engage stakeholders in research, generate ideas or codesign solutions
Usability tests : When you want to test prototypes or learn about problems with an existing service

Find out more

How to do good…

Applied social research: A curated online sheet of Applied Social Research Guides and Resources
Surveys : Guide to creating questions here and here , build on existing data/questions , analysis guide
Interviews : A nice overview here which includes how to structure an interview
User research : The GDS for intro guides and DisAmbiguity blog
Service design: This is Service Design Doing has great tools and formats for workshops

Inspiration for emerging research methods and creative formats for research

Ethnography and mixed methods presented well: Ikea At Home Report
User mapping techniques as a social research method NPC Report
User Research to understand domestic abuse experiences and the potential for technology Tech Vs Abuse
Using Twitter data for social research Demos
Data visualisation as a tool for research communication - Nesta data visualisation and Women’s Aid Map
Data journalism and data storytelling - Guardian reading the riots
An online games to shift perspective on a social problem - Financial Times Uber Story
Content analysis to map trends - Nesta analysed creative skills in job adverts
Issue mapping online - networks of websites and people on Twitter - Warwick University Issue Mapping

Structured Interviews

When you want to gain a broad range of perspectives about specific questions

Also consider

Semi-structured interviews

A conversation with a set structure (a script of fixed questions) and specific purpose. Can be a method to undertake a survey or called a ‘directed’ interview.

Asking standardised questions across many participants makes data easier to analyse and compare
Giving participants a clear guide about what you want to learn from them
Topics that would be too complex to capture in a questionnaire tick box/short response
Respondents with limited time, who want to consider responses in advance or do not want to write
The quality of the interview is less dependent on the interviewer and their rapport with the interviewee

Limitations (and how to avoid or what to consider instead)

The structure prevents participants from bringing in other ideas (consider semi-structured interviews )
Whilst quicker to conduct and analyse than semi-structured interviews, they are still resource intensive and only possible to do with limited numbers of people (consider questionnaires online - see surveys )

Semi-Structured Interviews

When you want to gain in-depth insights about broad questions

Participant Observation

User research

Focus groups

Semi-Structured interviews

Conversation with a structure (set of open questions) and clear purpose. Also called directed interviews.

Exploring a range of perspectives on research questions, engaging experts and getting buy-in to research
Gaining in-depth insights about how people feel or interpret complex issues
Topics which are sensitive, difficult to express in writing or to articulate views about in a survey
Allowing participants to respond in their words, framing what they see as important

Limitations

Quality can depend on interviewer skills and put people on the spot (consider setting topics in advance)
The set-up affects the quality of engagement and discussion (consider location, relationship with the interviewee and whether you should do a face to face or Telephone/Online interview )
Time consuming to do, analyse and compare (consider Structured Interviews or Focus groups )
Can lack validity as evidence (consider Surveys )
Explore what people say, think and remember, not what they actually do (consider Participant Observation contextual interviews or User Research ) or shared perspectives (consider Focus groups )
Easy to provide too much structure and prevent open exploration of a topic (see unstructured interviews )

Unstructured Interviews

When you want to gain in-depth insights about a complex research topics

Contextual interviews

Unstructured interviews

A loosely structured open conversation guided by research topics (also called non-directed interviews)

Very exploratory research and broad research questions
Letting the participant guide the interview according to their priorities and views
In-depth and broad discussion about a person's expertise, experiences and opinions
Participant can feel like the they are not saying the ‘right’ thing (explain technique and rationale well)
Whilst useful for expert interviews, an unstructured approach can give the impression that the interviewer is unprepared, lacks knowledge or the research purpose is unclear (consider semi-structured interviews )
Interviews are longer, resource intensive and only smaller numbers are possible (consider focus groups )
Generates in-depth insights that are difficult to analyse and compare
A lack of structure can encourage participants to focus in-depth on one thing they are positive about or know very well in-depth (consider using desk research to inform the interview topics)

Guerilla Interviews

When you want to carry out user research or explore general perspectives quickly and easily

An ‘impromptu’ approach to interviewing, often talking to real people on the street or at a key site

Gaining immediate responses to a tool or design and insights into a problem
Informal method means participants can be more relaxed and open
Speaking to a lot of people, simply, quickly and cheaply about one key question
User research and user experience of interacting with digital products
Speaking to people for convenience (users are available in a single place and time) introduces sample bias (but you can add more targeting and profiling of participants, see the Guide to Sampling )
The lack of formal structure can mean that you miss important questions or insights
Findings are often unreliable and not generalisable because they rely on a single type of user
Difficult to understand complexity or gain contextual insights

Telephone / online interviews

A tool for when you want to interview people quickly and easily

Telephone or Online interviews

A tool to conduct an interview (it is not a method in itself) which is not in person/ face to face

Conducting interviews without the costs of travel and meeting time (often shorter)
Expert and stakeholder interviews, when you already know the participant well or they are short of time
Taking notes and looking up information whilst interviewing is less disruptive than in person, easy to record
Sending informed consent information and interview questions in advance
Can be difficult to undertake an engaging interview (hard to build rapport on the phone)
Often need to be shorter and put alongside other meetings

What method are you using?

Structured interviews : When you want to gain a broad range of perspectives about specific questions
Semi-structured interviews : When you want to gain in-depth insights about broad questions
Unstructured interviews : When you want to gain in-depth insights about a complex research topics

Further guides to Interviews : A nice overview here , including how to structure an interview

Contextual Interview

When you want to understand actions and particular experiences in-depth and in context

Ethnography

Interviews conducted with people in a situational context relevant to the research question; also known as contextual inquiry.

Understanding what happens, experiences and emotions whilst interacting with a tool, service or event.
Easier for research participants to show rather than explain, participants are active and engaged
Uncover what happens, what people do, how they behave in the moment, rather than how they remember this and give meaning to these responses later.
Open and flexible method giving depth of insights about a tool or specific interaction
Time and resource intensive for the researcher
Each context is unique - making it difficult to generalise from or to answer broader research questions about experiences (consider semi-structured interviews )
The researcher influences the interactions and events (consider ethnography or participant observation )

When you want to understand shared experiences and different perspectives

Focus Groups

An organised discussion with a group of participants, led by a facilitator around a few key topics

Gaining several perspectives about the same topic quickly
Research contexts and topics where familiarity between participants can generate discussion about similar experiences (or different ones) which may not arise in a one to one interview
When attitudes, feelings and beliefs are more likely to be revealed in social gathering and interactions
Including tasks and creative methods to elicit views (e.g. shared ranking of importance of statements)
Difficult to identify the individual view from the group view (consider semi-structured interviews )
Group dynamics will affect the conversation focus and participation levels of different members
The role of the moderator is very significant. Good levels of group leadership and interpersonal skill are required to moderate a group successfully.
The group set-up is an ‘artificial’ social setting and discussion (consider Participant Observation )

Participant observation

When you want to ‘learn by doing’ and observe social interactions and behaviour

Participant observation/ shadowing

The researcher immerses themselves in lives of participants as an ‘observer’ of their behaviours, practices and interactions. A type of ethnography. The people being observed know about the research.

Understanding everyday behaviours, interactions and practice in the context that they occur
Gaining an intuitive understanding of what happens in practice and what this means for those involved
Allowing research participants to show you what they do, when they can’t describe and remember this well
Establishing topics for further investigation through more structured or focused research methods
If explicit (shadowing for example) the research situation is still ‘artificial’
Your audience may not respect it and can be difficult to generalise from (consider mixed methods)
The quality of the data is dependent on the researchers’ skills and relationships with participants

When you want to experience social practices, interactions and behaviour with minimal influence on what happens

The systematic study of a group of people or cultures to understand behaviours and interactions. The researcher becomes an ‘insider’. It is a way of presenting research findings, as well as a method, which can include participant observation, document analysis and visual methods.

When you need to be an ‘insider’ to fully access the research context (such as organisational cultures)
Presenting how everyday behaviours, interactions and practice occur in context
Gaining an in-depth knowledge of your research context, participants and social relationships
When little is known about a research context or topic
If covert (at a conference or workplace for example) it has implications for informed consent
If explicit (shadowing for example) the researcher’s presence can affect the interactions and findings

Example use case : Ikea At Home research study to understand how people feel about their home

When you want to generate numerical data about the scale of people’s opinions and feelings

Mixed Methods

A process of systematically collecting information from a large number of different people. Responses are summarised as statistics (online surveys automate this analysis for you).

Targeting specific types of research participant and providing data about their views
If designed well, they can be quick, simple and non intrusive for research participants
Findings can have more credibility than other methods because of their breadth
Describing, measuring and understanding (a basic questionnaire)
Statistical analysis, modelling cause and effect (large scale survey designed to represent the population)
Can raise more questions about what happens and why, lack depth of insight (consider mixed methods )
Hard to design well and require a lot of time upfront and data skills to analyse the results
Low completion rates and people feel ‘over surveyed’ (consider incentives )
Assumes people will be honest and sufficiently aware of the research context to provide credible answers.

Further information: A great guide to creating questions here and here , build on existing data/questions here

When one research method cannot fully answer your main research question

Mixed methods

Combining different methods to answer your research questions, can be a mix of quantitative or qualitative methods or both. It may mean working with different types of data, research designs or being part of a research team (covering different research disciplines)

Overcoming the limitation of relying on a single research method or approach
Triangulating findings (i.e. using an additional method) can give them more validity
Accessing different types of research participants
A more holistic understanding about how, why and the extent to which something happens
Answering different types of research questions about frequency and perceptions
Giving findings more validity and influence because of the range of data and insights
Requires a broader range of skills and more time to deliver, analyse and report on
Research design must have strong sequencing (when each method is used and analysed , why) to make the most of a mixed methods approach - not always possible in a tight timescale or short research project

User Research

When you want to learn about people’s needs, behaviours and motivations for using a service

Service Design

S emi-Structured Interviews

Usability testing

A research approach employed to understand users and their needs, motivations and behaviours, primarily to inform service design.

User-centered design processes which look to ensure services meet the needs of their audience
Gaining specific insights into how a person interacts with a digital tool or service
Exploring general needs, behaviours and motivations for a specific target group using a range of services
Focus on a tool or service can prevent wider analysis, relevance and applicability
Research can lack credibility due to small numbers, set up, documentation (often highly specific focus)
Can overlook those who do not use a service for a whole range of reasons

What method?

User research involves any method which looks at who users are, the problems they face, what they are trying to do and how they use existing services. This can create user personas, user journeys and user experience maps. It largely includes qualitative research methods.

When you want to design a service to meet people’s needs, including planning, organising, infrastructure, communication and components)

A research approach employed in the activity of planning and organising of people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service, in order to improve quality and interaction.

Gaining a holistic picture of all components (infrastructure, people, organisations, culture) affecting how a person interacts with a service
Service design often begins with user research but participants in research include all those involved in delivering (not just using) a service, such as employees and stakeholders in an organisation as well as looking at the context and system which affect how a service works and its effectiveness

Content analysis

When you want to understand public discourse through secondary or online data

A systematic process of classifying and interpreting documents, text or images to analyse key discourses (their meaning) or to quantify patterns (such as word frequencies). This can be done manually or it can be automated.

Exploring the focus of messages, text or imagery and change over time
Secondary data sources, such as archives, online social media data (such as Tweets) and news articles
Gaining a qualitative or quantitative insights about key messages
Focuses on public and documented interpretations of events and experiences
Documents are not exhaustive and not all are accessible (or available online/freely)
Qualitative coding is time intensive to manually classify, reliant on researcher interpretation
Automated coding for key words can miss nuances and difficult to produce meaningful findings

When you want to engage stakeholders in research, generate ideas or codesign solutions

Also consider:

A tool to undertake research. It is an interactive session, often taking a full day, in which research participants sor stakeholders work intensively on an issue or question. The process can combine elements of qualitative research, brainstorming or problem solving.

Engaging stakeholders - building empathy with and understanding of research findings
Understanding problems or prototyping solutions, linked to user research and service design approaches
Participatory research, allowing participants to shape agendas and outcomes
Creative, collaborative and engaging activities to build rapport and understanding with participants
Participatory design, enabling participants to co-design solutions which work for them
Highly dependent on the right people attending and the facilitation skills
Can be a lot of time and effort to coordinate a workshop effectively and analyse findings
The immersive and collaborative environment makes it difficult to document effectively
Collaborative solutions may duplicate existing problems or solutions

When you want to test prototypes or learn about problems with an existing service

A user research method where you watch participants try to complete specific tasks using your service. Moderated testing involve interaction with the research participant, asking them to explain what they are doing, thinking and feeling. Unmoderated testing is completed alone by the participant.

Identify any usability issues with a digital service - for example, problems with the language or layout
Seeing if users understand what they need to do in order to complete designated tasks
Generating ideas to improve a prototype of existing digital service
Assessing user experience
Focus is not on ‘natural’ use (consider contextual interviews , participant observation , ethnography )
Data is about a specific design and interaction with a tool at that moment
Findings cannot be generalised or applicable more broadly to understand users and behaviours

Locations and Hours
UCLA Library
Research Guides
Research Tips and Tools

Advanced Research Methods

Presenting the Research Paper
What Is Research?
Library Research
Writing a Research Proposal
Writing the Research Paper

Writing an Abstract

Oral presentation, compiling a powerpoint.

Abstract : a short statement that describes a longer work.

Indicate the subject.
Describe the purpose of the investigation.
Briefly discuss the method used.
Make a statement about the result.

Oral presentations usually introduce a discussion of a topic or research paper. A good oral presentation is focused, concise, and interesting in order to trigger a discussion.

Be well prepared; write a detailed outline.
Introduce the subject.
Talk about the sources and the method.
Indicate if there are conflicting views about the subject (conflicting views trigger discussion).
Make a statement about your new results (if this is your research paper).
Use visual aids or handouts if appropriate.

An effective PowerPoint presentation is just an aid to the presentation, not the presentation itself .

Be brief and concise.
Focus on the subject.
Attract attention; indicate interesting details.
If possible, use relevant visual illustrations (pictures, maps, charts graphs, etc.).
Use bullet points or numbers to structure the text.
Make clear statements about the essence/results of the topic/research.
Don't write down the whole outline of your paper and nothing else.
Don't write long full sentences on the slides.
Don't use distracting colors, patterns, pictures, decorations on the slides.
Don't use too complicated charts, graphs; only those that are relatively easy to understand.
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Last Updated: Aug 22, 2024 3:43 PM
URL: https://guides.library.ucla.edu/research-methods

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Get Research Methodology With Analysis Presentation Slide
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Top 20 PowerPoint Templates for a Systematic Research Methodology
Research Methodology Types Research Ppt Powerpoint Presentation
Introduction to research methodology

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How to Make a Successful Research Presentation
Introduction (exposition — rising action) Orient the audience and draw them in by demonstrating the relevance and importance of your research story with strong global motive. Provide them with the necessary vocabulary and background knowledge to understand the plot of your story.
Research Presentations - Research Posters and Presentations ...
Hypothesis and/or research questions (1 slide) - Clearly state your hypothesis or research questions. Description of Methods (2-3 slides) - Clearly, but briefly, summarize your study design including a clear description of the study population, the sample size and any instruments or manipulations to gather the data.
How to Create and Deliver a Research Presentation - SlideModel
A research presentation is the communication of research findings, typically delivered to an audience of peers, colleagues, students, or professionals. In the academe, it is meant to showcase the importance of the research paper, state the findings and the analysis of those findings, and seek feedback that could further the research.
Research presentation: A comprehensive guide - Prezent
Master research presentations with this comprehensive guide. Learn how to choose a topic, conduct research, create visuals, and deliver your presentation with confidence.
PowerPoint Slides: SOWK 621.01: Research I: Basic Research ...
The PowerPoint slides associated with the twelve lessons of the course, SOWK 621.01: Research I: Basic Research Methodology, as previously taught by Dr. Matthew DeCarlo at Radford University.
Research Methods: Basic Concepts and Methods | PPT - SlideShare
This document outlines and describes the major types of research, including descriptive research, analytical research, applied research, basic research, quantitative research, qualitative research, conceptual research, and non-scientific methods.
Guide to Research Methods - Google Slides
Introduce you to a range of research methods. Help you think about the value and limitations of different research methods. Identify when to use alternative research methods. You should...
What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips - Scribbr
The methodology lets readers assess the reliability of your research. Describe what you did and show how your methods match your aims.
Presenting the Research Paper - Advanced Research Methods ...
Oral presentations usually introduce a discussion of a topic or research paper. A good oral presentation is focused, concise, and interesting in order to trigger a discussion. Be well prepared; write a detailed outline.
Creating an Effective Research Presentation
Creating an Effective Research Presentation - Specifics for the July 23 “Virtual” Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium and General Tips. Summer 2020. Michelle Richards-Babb, Ph.D. Professor & Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, West Virginia University. Abstracts for Booklet: Submit by 11:59 pm July 12! Preparation instructions.