Clinical Guides: Data Visualisation for Researchers: Data Visualisation for Research Findings

Data Visualisation for Research Findings

Find information and guidance on using tools for creating visual abstracts, research posters and presentations. If you have suggestions for additional guides or require research assistance, contact us at library@monashhealth.org.

Research Poster Templates

Canva: Create a free account on Canva. Log in to your account and create a new document with the dimensions 594mm x 420mm. Search "research poster" under the Templates tab on the left-hand column. Select an appropriate template.
Cochrane Poster Templates: See "New templates for 2019 - updated January 2022".
- Cochrane branded traditional academic conference templates
- Cochrane branded Better Poster templates: Cyan #betterposter template, Green #betterposter template, Magenta #betterposter template, Orange #betterposter template, Red #betterposter template, Teal #betterposter template
Better Poster Templates by Mike Morrison: Download templates in the left-hand column under the 'Special Versions' folder. Landscape and portrait versions available.
Twitter mini poster "flipbook" - Design tips, Create an animated GIF in PowerPoint

Research Poster Resources

View the Four Design Elements for Research Poster (6:25) video below by the Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library
Better Posters blog is a great resource of information about research posters in general. Read the Better Posters “Critique” series where the author critiques posters sent in by readers and Ten simple rules for conference posters.
How to create an award winning conference poster (London School of Economics Blog)

Visual Abstracts

Use of a Visual Abstract to Disseminate Scientific Research: See pages 20-25 for step-by-step instructions on how to use the templates.
For more examples and inspiration, browse #VisualAbstracts on Twitter (you do not need a Twitter account).

Image source: Ibrahim, A.M. (2018). Use of a visual abstract to disseminate scientific research. Pg.9. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5854aaa044024321a353bb0d/t/5a527aa89140b76bbfb2028a/1515354827682/VisualAbstract_Primer_v4_1.pdf

Basic Data Visualisation Principles

View the Six Tips for Data Visualization (7:58) video below by Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library
From Data to Viz: Explore the visualisation flowchart – which graph should you use?
How to choose the right data visualisation: Explanations of which graph to use.

Basic Design Principles

Principles of Design by the Getty Museum
The Principles of Design by Envato Tuts+

Canva is a online graphic design tool that can be used to make presentations, posters and more. Free and paid accounts are available and have similar functionality, with pro accounts being able to create brand kits, use premium graphics and pictures, remove image backgrounds and a larger Canva gallery storage space.

Canva functions:

Templates: Look for templates for inspiration before starting a new design.

Elements: Add graphics, pictures, videos or audio.

Uploads: Upload your own images into your Canva gallery.

Text: Add a heading, subheading or body text.

QR code: Quickly generate a QR code for your document.

Charts: Add a graph or chart.

Canva keyboard shortcuts:

Function	Keyboard Shortcut
Duplicate	Ctrl + D
Copy	Ctrl + C
Paste	Ctrl + V

Note: When you copy and paste an image to your Canva document, Canva automatically saves it in your gallery.

Canva handout:

Visual Design - Handout

Additional information:

Canva for library creators: Facebook group for Canva ethusiasts.
Canva Design School: Tutorials created by Canva on using Canva.
Coursera: Free online courses on using Canva.

Visual Design Tools

Other online tools for creating posters and infographics:
- Canva: Online visual design tool with free and paid access. Library training is available.
- Adobe Express: Online visual design tool with free and paid access.
- Visme: Online visual design tool with free and paid access.
- Vistacreate: Online visual design tool with free and paid access.
- Piktochart: Tools for creating infographics easily.
- Mind the Graph: Tools for creating infographics easily.
- BioRender: Large number of icons and graphics relating to health and life sciences available.

Colour Accessibility Tools

Use these tools to check for colour accessibility:
- Color Brewer
- Colour Contrast Checker

Images

! Beware of copyright and attribution requirements when using online images.

Medical images

Openi - Open Access Biomedical Image Search Engine
BioRender: Browse thousands of life sciences icons and templates
ClinicalkKey - Use MH login to access images and multimedia

General:

Unsplash: Online source of freely usable images
Openverse - Extensive library of free stock photos, images, and audio, available for free use
The Noun Project: Huge range of icons and photos

Monash Health Identity Hub

Monash Health logos, templates, brand kit and guidelines on how to use them are available to download.

Monash Health Image Library

Monash Health images are available to download.

Opportunities for the future

How to boost the impact of scientific conferences by M Morrison, K Merlo & Z Woessner.

monash health library logo Monash Health Library provides educational resources, group training, webinars and individual consultations on evidence based practice including guidance on literature searching, appraising and managing search results.

Library training on visual design and communicating research findings is available.

Visual Design for Beginners: Covers how to use the online tool Canva to create engaging and professional visual graphics.
Communicating Research Findings: Creating Visual Abstracts and Research Posters (more sessions coming soon): For researchers who have research findings to put into a visual format, e.g. visual abstract, research poster or presentation, and need guidance and inspiration on how to do so.