20.109(F22):Research talk

Overview

In addition to the Data Summary, you will complete a short Research talk that focuses on training in oral communication. Specifically, you will verbally describe your research project and results from Module 1 in an "elevator pitch" or a "flash talk" format.

The ability to present your research orally is important for networking and relaying your work in settings where you do not have access to visual aids. The term "elevator pitch" is used to describe a brief oral presentation of your work; it suggests that you have the time of an elevator ride to explain the importance and results of your research to someone unfamiliar with your project.

The target audience for this Research talk is a scientifically literate listener who is unfamiliar with your specific field. Thus, you can assume rapid comprehension - but not a priori knowledge.

Logistics

You will complete this assignment individually.

Please review the 20.109 statement on collaboration and integrity as you proceed.

As you prepare your assignment be sure to review the resources provided on the Communication tab.

Please submit your completed Research talk due by Saturday, October 1st at 10 pm to bioeng20.109@gmail.com, with filename Name_LabSection_RT.extension (for example, ImaStudent_TR_RT.mov).

Formatting and length guidelines

• Your Research talk should be 3 minutes long and include the following:
  • introduction of your project
  • key results from your research (including a statement as to the method(s) used to generate data)
  • take-home message
• Your submission should be a video of you talking about your research.
  • The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills in verbal communication without the use of visual aids. In this, you will not use slides or images to convey the results of your research. Instead focus on using clear and descriptive language to describe the data.
  • You may use any recording device to which you have access (iPhone, video recorder, etc) or use the record function in Zoom. If you do not have access to a recording device, alert the Instructors for alternate options.
  • The video you submit should not be edited together from multiple attempts. The goal is to describe your research as you would do with a live listener.

Content considerations

Introduction

The introduction of your Research talk should both introduce your research project and convey the importance of your work in the context of the field. You want the listener to understand why your project is important and give them the information they need to understand your data.

Results

Your results should be summarized such that the key finding is clear to your listener. When discussing your results, include details that support your claims. For example, instead of simply stating "We identified hits..." include the actual numerical values, "We identified X positive hits with Z-scores of Y, which indicates that ..."

In addition to stating your results, you should include your interpretations of the data you collected.

If it is necessary, you can include details used to obtain your data (e.g. "Using a His tag, we...").

Conclusions

The conclusion should put your project into the context of the larger field of research. How is it that your research advances the field?

Evaluation

Category	Elements of a strong presentation	Weight
Introduction	Introduce yourself and the research Summarize the background information necessary to understand the research State the research question	25%
Methods & Data	Provide ONLY the method information necessary to understand the results Give complete and concise explanations of the results Relate the results to the central question	25%
Summary & Conclusions	Highlight the key finding(s) relevant to the central question / hypothesis	25%
Organization	Give a logical, easy-to-follow narrative Include transition statements	15%
Delivery	Show confidence / enthusiasm and speak clearly Use appropriate language (technical or informal, as appropriate) Be mindful of the time limit (3 minutes +/- 15 seconds!)	10%

The Research talk will be graded by Dr. Noreen Lyell with input from Dr. Becky Meyer and Jamie Zhan.