What is the most cost-effective way to disseminate primary research findings?

1 Define your dissemination goals

Before you decide how to disseminate your primary research findings, you need to clarify your dissemination goals. What are the main messages you want to convey? Who are the intended users of your research? How do you want them to use your findings? How will you measure the impact of your dissemination? Your answers to these questions will help you narrow down your options and select the most appropriate dissemination method for your purpose.

2 Consider your dissemination options

Disseminating primary research findings can be done in a variety of ways, from traditional academic publications to more creative and interactive formats. Journal articles are the gold standard for academic dissemination, but they can be expensive and inaccessible to non-academic audiences. Reports are more comprehensive and detailed, yet also costly and lengthy. Policy briefs are concise and focused summaries of your research findings and recommendations, intended for policy makers and practitioners. Infographics are visual representations of key findings, easy to understand, share, and remember; however, they can oversimplify complex data and require design skills. Podcasts are audio recordings of your research story, engaging yet requiring technical equipment, editing skills, and hosting platforms. Webinars offer live or recorded online presentations of your research findings with slides, audio, and video; however, they depend on internet connection, software, and registration.

3 Compare the costs and benefits of each method

To determine the most cost-effective way to disseminate your primary research findings, you need to compare the costs and benefits of each method. The costs include not only the direct expenses of producing and distributing the dissemination product, but also the indirect costs of staff time, training, and quality assurance. The benefits include not only the reach and impact of the dissemination product, but also the feedback, engagement, and collaboration opportunities it generates. You can use a cost-benefit analysis tool to estimate and compare the costs and benefits of different dissemination methods, and rank them according to your preferences and priorities.

4 Adapt to your budget and resources

Once you have identified the most cost-effective dissemination method for your project, you need to adapt it to your budget and resources. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you may have more or less funds and staff available for dissemination. You may also have access to different platforms, networks, and partners that can support your dissemination efforts. You can use a dissemination plan template to outline your dissemination objectives, activities, timeline, budget, and evaluation indicators, and adjust them as needed.

5 Optimize your dissemination product

To maximize the cost-effectiveness of your dissemination method, you need to optimize your dissemination product. This means making sure that your dissemination product is clear, relevant, attractive, and user-friendly. To do this, you should use plain language, avoid jargon, and explain technical terms. Additionally, you should highlight the main findings, implications, and recommendations of your research. Visual aids such as graphs, charts, tables, images, and icons can also help to illustrate your data and messages. Colors, fonts, and layouts should be consistent, appealing, and accessible. Interactive features like hyperlinks, quizzes, polls, and comments can engage your audience and encourage feedback. Lastly, metadata, keywords, and hashtags can improve the visibility and discoverability of your dissemination product.

6 Evaluate your dissemination outcomes

Measuring the cost-effectiveness of your dissemination method requires evaluating your dissemination outcomes. This involves collecting and analyzing data on the outputs, outcomes, and impacts of your dissemination activities. To do this, you can use indicators such as the number, type, and quality of your dissemination products, the number and characteristics of your dissemination channels and events, the number and diversity of your dissemination users, the level and type of their awareness, interest, and satisfaction, as well as the number and significance of their actions, decisions, and collaborations influenced by your dissemination findings.

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?