Let me clarify by example.
I did an NSF REU (National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates) during the summer of 2002. At the end of the summer, I wrote a paper that I submitted to summer program advisors, and I presented my research to the other REU participants orally using an overhead projector.
6 months later, I attended a national conference and I presented a poster of my research.
The national conference schedule was filled with oral/powerpoint presentations usually from PhDs in the field or those about to receive a PhD. PhDs in the field, grad students, and a handful of undergrads had posters displaying their work. The idea was that in between oral presentations conference attendees could go look at the posters. I remember standing by my poster all day 1 day (of the 4 day conference) and answering questions.
A few months later, my advisor published reasearch in a national journal and included my research in his paper. (so I was officially published).
I presented that same poster at my Univeristy's Honors Day.
I did a presentation of my research to a group of incoming Freshman, and to the entire graduate departmant as part of a conference series.
I was honored to hang my poster on a wall of my department for a year.
I hope this helps clarify all the major ways research is presented.
