Evaluation Insights
Data insights for evaluation is about taking the patterns that were identified in analysis and making sense of their meaning and potential impact to the work you do. In a nutshell, evaluation insights are what you can do with the findings, as well as what it all means for your organization, industry, or field.
Conference Presentations
What is it? Conference presentations regarding evaluation data are a common communication method to share strong techniques, sound methodologies, and lessons learned with evaluators, planners, and practitioners at professional conferences to improve their knowledge base, develop skills, and improve their practices. Depending on the type of conference and presentation, you are usually required to submit a paper (for review and acceptance) and the presentations are predominantly either given orally or by preparing a conference poster.
Hot topic items are usually those that will be asked to be presented orally via podium presentation, to ensure maximum exposure and visibility. To be accepted for an oral presentation, your topic must present higher scientific or significant value to the general conversation currently at play. Effective oral presentations consider:
- Structure and content (clear introduction, informative body, and strong conclusion)
- Expression in your delivery
- Use of appropriate visuals
- Responding to audience questions
Poster presentations usually include their paper in printed form, as well as a research poster that visually portrays their research (centering on 2-3 key findings). The researcher/presenter is expected to stand with their poster in order to engage the audience and answer questions and provide their elevator pitch. Effective oral presentations consider:
- Short but engaging title
- Enough content to convey main elements of evaluation
- Clarity of message and compelling story; effective posers should
- Use of appropriate data visualizations (tables, graphs, etc.) to tell the story
Other types of conference presentations include:
- Lightning Roundtables – Each presenter delivers their content to a table of approximately 10 participants (usually in <15 minutes), followed by a 10-minute interactive discussion; participants will then move to another table.
- Roundtables – A group discussion (<60 minutes) on a particular theme with <15 participants seated around a table. A short (5-10 minute) presentation by the organizer is given to introduce the topic, followed by discussion and feedback from participants.
- Panels – Multiple speakers focusing on one issue for <90 minutes.
- Expert lectures – Formal presentations by experts in the field who share on specific topics through a lecture followed by response to audience questions.
- Debates – Two or three individuals who hold differing points of view exchange topical insights important to the audience; the exchange is moderated by an individual who is prepared to ask insightful questions.
- Workshops – A group environment with hands on approach to the research topic, with an introduction, and feedback from participants.
Our consultants have assisted many others in preparing the appropriate materials for specific conferences — from statistical analyses, charts, and tables, to colorful visuals that “speak” your message with clarity.
How can we help you?
- Coach you through your research paper
- Provide technical write-ups for your research paper
- Identify the processes and findings that need to be reported
- Write portions of your presentation(s)
- Edit your presentation(s)
- Create your poster presentation
- Coach you through submission process
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How to Give an Effective Oral Presentation
Articles and White Papers About Evaluation Conference Presentations How to Give an Effective Oral Presentation Read More The Basics of Visual Storytelling: Best Practices for Creating Memorable Conference Presentations Introduction Have you ever sat through a presentation so dull you could not wait until it was over? Now picture this,...
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The Basics of Visual Storytelling: Best Practices for Creating Memorable Conference Presentations
Introduction Have you ever sat through a presentation so dull you could not wait until it was over? Now picture this, you’re at a conference, surrounded by fellow researchers and evaluators eager to learn from one another. Now, imagine your presentation is not just a series of text heavy slides,...
Read MoreFAQ About Conference Presentations
Impact assessment should be considered early in planning, and its timing should be carefully considered. It should not be conducted too early because there may not have been enough time to develop longer term impacts, while if conducted too late, the impacts may be declined. The assessment should be conducted when its intended use is clear and its findings used for necessary decisions.
Conferences will usually provide their own guidelines for presenting your work. More and more, conferences are moving away from highly text-heavy presentations and icon-graphics. They center more heavily on key findings in layperson terms, with supporting documentation related to your actual methods. Simplicity and an effective use of white space are key.
Starting with your methods section, and then working your way through your discussion, literature review, and introduction, and finally writing your abstract can be a helpful order to follow.
Conference presentations offer consulting firms visibility within their industry, enhance their reputation as thought leaders, attract potential clients and collaborators, gather feedback and insights from peers, and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Organizations can leverage conference presentations to showcase their expertise, highlight successful client collaborations, demonstrate thought leadership, engage with industry influencers and decision-makers, and foster networking opportunities that can lead to new business opportunities.
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Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas