# Academic Dopers: Interactive Paper = Poster Session? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 30, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190 "2007-01-30T23:24:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/1 "2007-01-30T23:24:11Z")
If a conference is soliciting “interactive papers” is that a synonym for a poster session? If not, what does it mean? Many thanks ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/2 "2007-01-31T00:51:50Z")
I’ve never heard the term interactive paper. Did they give more details on it? I can imagine them being the same, since poster session has a bad reputation in some places - like the conference I’m involved with. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/3 "2007-01-31T01:08:37Z")
Never heard of it. Got a link to conference materials? Posters get a bad rap but I’d much rather read a poster and perhaps talk with the author than sit through a mind-numbing 50-minute paper session that is read aloud in a drone and didn’t have an accurate title and doesn’t demonstrate what it claims to demonstrate. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/4 "2007-01-31T01:25:27Z")
M’kay. [http://meetings.aomonline.org/2004/interactive\_papers.htm](http://meetings.aomonline.org/2004/interactive_papers.htm) > [@](#): > > Guidelines for Preparing an Interactive Paper for Presentation > The Interactive Paper Sessions (IPS) are designed to promote the sharing and exchange of ideas around several papers in a more intimate format than that of more traditional sessions such as symposia. The following provides some additional information regarding the structure of these sessions. > > As a unique component of the 2004 Academy of Management Meeting Online Program, optional and voluntary inclusion of authors uploading their paper to the system provides added visibility to in an online format. Note: Papers included will automatically be removed from the website on November 1, 2004. > > General Format: > Each session will be conducted in a roundtable setting. Participants will provide a 5-7 minute overview of their work and have the use of a display board to mount visual aids. Each presentation will be followed by audience questions. A general discussion led by a session facilitator will follow. The papers have been grouped by theme rather than strictly by division so many of the sessions involve participants from multiple divisions. We hope that this format will promote cross-divisional, in-depth discussion among the presenters and the audience. Looks like a roundtable with nominal AV aids to me. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/5 "2007-01-31T02:22:55Z")
That sounds right. This conference is also management-related, so the similarity would make sense. Many thanks! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/6 "2007-01-31T02:26:41Z")
It sounds like a fun way to talk with colleagues. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-interactive-paper-poster-session/390190/7 "2007-01-31T07:23:46Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Never heard of it. Got a link to conference materials? Posters get a bad rap but I’d much rather read a poster and perhaps talk with the author than sit through a mind-numbing 50-minute paper session that is read aloud in a drone and didn’t have an accurate title and doesn’t demonstrate what it claims to demonstrate. [/QUOTE] Actually, poster sessions get a bad rap with the submitters, because it is sometimes considerered a booby prize - a paper not quite good enough to actually present. The interactive session almost sounds like everyone going will present something, and then talk to each other. Visible from six feet is not very far for a normal session. Sounds fairly low stress to me.