What are the most effective ways to create easy-to-understand research summaries?

1 Know your audience

The first step to create easy-to-understand research summaries is to know your audience and tailor your content and language accordingly. Different audiences may have different levels of familiarity, interest, and expectations regarding your research topic. For example, policymakers may want to know how your research can inform their decisions, practitioners may want to know how your research can improve their practice, media may want to know how your research can attract attention and spark debate, and the general public may want to know how your research can affect their lives. Therefore, you should identify the main purpose, message, and tone of your research summary for each audience and use appropriate vocabulary, examples, and evidence.

2 Use plain language

The second step to create easy-to-understand research summaries is to use plain language that avoids jargon, acronyms, and technical terms. Plain language is designed to be clear, simple, and direct, helping your audience to understand your research without confusion or ambiguity. To achieve this, you should define any terms or concepts that are specific to your field or discipline. Additionally, use short and simple sentences and paragraphs with active voice and personal pronouns. Furthermore, use common words and synonyms when possible. Additionally, headings, subheadings, and bullet points can help organize your information. Finally, transitions and connectors should be used to link your ideas.

3 Use visuals

The third step to create easy-to-understand research summaries is to use visuals that complement and enhance your text. Visuals are powerful tools that can help your audience to quickly and easily understand complex data, processes, or relationships. Graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, maps, photos, and icons are all effective visuals that can be used. When using visuals, it is important to choose the most appropriate type of visual for your data or information and label it clearly and consistently. Additionally, use colors, shapes, and fonts that are consistent and readable. Make sure to align your visuals with your text and message and explain them in your text or captions.

4 Summarize your key points

The fourth step to create easy-to-understand research summaries is to summarize your key points and highlight their relevance and implications. Your key points should answer the questions: What did you do? What did you find? Why does it matter? To effectively summarize them, you should have a catchy and informative title that captures your main idea, an introduction that provides the background, context, and objectives of your research, a conclusion that summarizes your main findings, recommendations, and limitations, as well as use bullet points, numbers or bold fonts to emphasize your key points. Additionally, you should use call-to-actions, questions or suggestions to engage your audience and encourage further action or discussion.

5 Check your readability

To ensure that your research summary is easy to read and understand, you should check your readability. Online tools, such as Hemingway Editor, Grammarly, or Readable, can help you assess your word choice, sentence length, grammar, punctuation, and readability score. To improve your readability further, proofread and edit your text for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Additionally, use synonyms, antonyms, or paraphrases to avoid repetition and increase variety. Break up long sentences and paragraphs into shorter and simpler ones. Remove unnecessary words, phrases, or information that do not add value or clarity. Finally, ask for feedback from someone who belongs to your target audience or is familiar with your topic.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?