What the study found
The study found that Three Minute Thesis (3MT) slides in this sample mostly used non-specialized or less-specialized images, such as popular imagery, photographs, and illustrations. It also found that the images and words on the slides generally worked with the spoken presentation to help a non-specialist audience understand the content.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this adds to knowledge about the visual features of the 3MT genre and about academic communication for non-specialists. They also note pedagogical implications for postgraduate students and instructors preparing academic presentations for non-specialist audiences.
What the researchers tested
The researchers analyzed a corpus of 50 slides taken from 3MT presentations delivered by PhD students in electrical and computer engineering. They focused on multimodality, examining the types of images used on the single static slide and how the slide text and images related to the accompanying speech.
What worked and what didn't
The findings indicate that presenters recontextualized specialized scientific knowledge visually through mostly non-specialized or less-specialized images. The study also found that the images and words on each slide either concurred with or complemented the speech across all rhetorical moves of the presentation.
What to keep in mind
The study is based on 50 slides from 3MT presentations by PhD students in electrical and computer engineering, so the scope is limited to this sample. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond this.
Key points
- The sample included 50 slides from 3MT talks by PhD students in electrical and computer engineering.
- Most slides used non-specialized or less-specialized images, including popular imagery, photographs, and illustrations.
- The slide words and images generally worked with the speech to support a non-specialist audience's comprehension.
- Images and words either concurred with or complemented the speech across all rhetorical moves.
- The authors say the study adds to knowledge of the 3MT genre and academic communication for non-specialists.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- 3MT slides use mostly non-specialized images and support speech
- Authors:
- Yanhua Liu, Ramona Tang, F. Lim
- Institutions:
- Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Technological University, University of Leeds
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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