Research Poster: Design and Present Your PICO Question
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we effectively design and communicate a scientific research study through a research poster, beginning with identifying a PICO question and synthesizing findings from credible academic sources?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is a PICO question, and how does it guide research in science?
- How can identifying a problem influence the creation of a research question?
- What are effective methods for searching academic articles and evaluating their relevance and credibility?
- How do researchers synthesize data from various sources to draw meaningful conclusions?
- In what ways can the design and presentation of a research poster enhance the communication of scientific findings?
- What is the significance of each section of a research poster (Abstract, Significance, implications, findings, purpose, and methods) in conveying the research study?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Develop a coherent PICO question to guide scientific research.
- Conduct effective research by identifying and evaluating credible academic sources.
- Synthesize information from various sources to draw meaningful conclusions and insights.
- Design an informative and visually appealing research poster that effectively communicates scientific findings.
- Understand the significance of different components of a research poster, such as abstract and methods, in conveying research study insights.
Common Core Standards for Science Literacy
Next Generation Science Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsVirtual Reality Scientific Expedition
Using VR headsets, students embark on a simulated scientific expedition where they encounter various environmental or health-related problems. This experience prompts them to formulate a PICO question that addresses the observed issues, collect virtual data, and create a research poster to present solutions.Interactive PICO Question Workshop
Begin with an engaging workshop where students brainstorm possible challenges in science through interactive activities. Each group will select a topic to develop a PICO question, guiding them in their research poster development focused on addressing their chosen scientific problem.Mystery Illness Simulation
Students walk into the classroom to find a crime scene-style setup where a 'mystery illness' has spread through a mock village. They are tasked with identifying the problem using a PICO question to guide their inquiry into the origins, effects, and solutions related to the illness, developing research posters to present their findings.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.PICO Question Crafting
Students learn to develop a PICO question that guides the research process by identifying a specific problem, determining relevant population, intervention, comparison, and outcome factors.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-structured PICO question that will direct further research.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with WHST.11-12.7 as students formulate a self-generated research question.Source Search and Evaluation
Students engage in finding and evaluating credible academic articles relevant to their PICO question, focusing on relevance and credibility.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of credible academic articles ready for data synthesis.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RST.11-12.1 by requiring textual evidence for scientific analysis.Data Synthesis Workshop
Students learn to synthesize data from multiple articles, reconciling different perspectives to form cohesive conclusions about their topic.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA summarized document presenting synthesized findings from multiple sources.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RST.11-12.9 as it requires information synthesis from various sources.Research Poster Design Lab
In this activity, students design their research poster, incorporating key sections like abstract, methods, findings, implications, and significance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete research poster communicating the study's purpose, methods, findings, and implications.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.HS-ETS1-3 by evaluating solutions to scientific problems and WHST.11-12.7 by displaying research findings.Presentation and Peer Review
Students present their research posters and receive constructive feedback from peers, focusing on both the content and visual design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn improved research poster adjusted based on peer feedback.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports development of communication skills and critical analysis through presentation and feedback processes, continuing the alignment with core standards by demonstrating understanding and evaluation.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioResearch Poster and PICO Question Rubric
PICO Question Development
Assesses the ability to develop a clear, focused PICO question that guides the research process.Clarity and Relevance of PICO Question
Evaluates the clarity, specificity, and relevance of the PICO question developed by the student.
Exemplary
4 PointsPICO question is exceptionally clear, highly specific, and directly relevant to a well-defined scientific problem, demonstrating sophisticated understanding and application of the PICO framework.
Proficient
3 PointsPICO question is clear, specific, and relevant to the scientific problem, demonstrating a thorough understanding and correct application of the PICO framework.
Developing
2 PointsPICO question is somewhat clear and relevant, but lacks specificity or full alignment with the scientific problem, showing an emerging understanding of the PICO framework.
Beginning
1 PointsPICO question lacks clarity, specificity, and relevance to the scientific problem, demonstrating minimal understanding and application of the PICO framework.
Identification of Problem
Assesses the identification process of a scientific problem that is significant and research-worthy.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe identified problem is precise, research-significant, and has been justified with a nuanced understanding of its context and implications.
Proficient
3 PointsThe identified problem is clear, research-worthy, and justified with a solid understanding of its context and implications.
Developing
2 PointsThe identified problem is somewhat vague or lacks full justification but shows an attempt to understand its context and implications.
Beginning
1 PointsThe identified problem is unclear, lacks justification, and does not adequately reflect an understanding of its context or implications.
Source Search and Evaluation
Evaluates the ability to find and critically evaluate academic sources relevant to the research topic.Source Relevance and Credibility
Measures the ability to identify and select relevant and credible sources for the research question.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelected sources are all highly relevant and credible, demonstrating a sophisticated evaluation strategy and understanding of academic research.
Proficient
3 PointsSelected sources are generally relevant and credible, demonstrating a thorough evaluation strategy and understanding of academic research.
Developing
2 PointsSome sources are relevant or credible, but there are gaps in evaluation strategy or understanding of academic research.
Beginning
1 PointsSources are mostly irrelevant or lacking in credibility, showing minimal evaluation strategy and understanding of academic research.
Data Synthesis
Assesses the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to create coherent findings.Integration and Synthesis of Information
Evaluates how well students integrate and synthesize information from different articles into coherent conclusions.
Exemplary
4 PointsData from sources is highly integrated and synthesized into clear, cohesive, and insightful conclusions, resolving conflicting information to present a sophisticated understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsData from sources is well integrated and synthesized into clear and coherent conclusions, resolving most conflicting information.
Developing
2 PointsThere is some attempt to integrate and synthesize data, but conclusions may lack coherence or fail to resolve conflicting information.
Beginning
1 PointsData is poorly integrated and synthesized, with unclear conclusions and unresolved conflicting information.
Poster Design and Presentation
Measures the effectiveness of poster design in conveying research findings and the ability to present this information clearly.Quality of Poster Design
Assesses the visual appeal and informative nature of the research poster design.
Exemplary
4 PointsResearch poster is exceptionally well-designed, visually engaging, and comprehensively conveys all scientific findings with clarity.
Proficient
3 PointsResearch poster is well-designed, visually engaging, and effectively conveys scientific findings with clarity.
Developing
2 PointsResearch poster has an understandable structure, but may lack visual engagement or comprehensive clarity in conveying findings.
Beginning
1 PointsResearch poster is poorly designed and conveys scientific findings with little or no clarity.
Presentation Skills
Assesses the ability to communicate research findings effectively during oral presentations.Clarity and Engagement in Presentation
Evaluates clarity, engagement, and depth of understanding displayed during presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and demonstrates deep understanding of the research topic, with effective use of feedback.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear, engaging, and demonstrates thorough understanding of the research topic.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is somewhat clear and engaging, with some understanding of the research topic demonstrated.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation lacks clarity and engagement, with insufficient demonstration of understanding of the research topic.