How can you share community organizing research findings and recommendations effectively?

2 Choose your format

When sharing research findings and recommendations, you can choose from a variety of formats depending on your audience, purpose, and resources. Reports are comprehensive documents that present background, methods, findings, recommendations, and references in detail. However, they can be lengthy and technical, so you may need to supplement them with other formats. Briefs are concise and focused documents that summarize research in a few pages. Presentations are oral or visual presentations that showcase research in a dynamic and interactive way. Infographics are visual representations of research using icons, charts, maps, or other graphics to convey data simply and attractively. Stories are narratives that tell the human stories behind research findings and recommendations.

3 Craft your message

When crafting your message, it is essential to have a specific, realistic, and measurable goal. Identify your key messages that are clear, concise, and consistent. Provide evidence and examples that are accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Use language that is clear and simple while avoiding jargon or technical terms. Lastly, include a call to action that is clear and specific while making it easy for your audience to take action. By doing so, you can capture your audience's attention and interest, as well as persuade them to take action.

4 Test and refine your message

Prior to sharing your research findings and recommendations with your audience, it is important to test and refine your message for effectiveness and appropriateness. To do this, you may want to seek peer review from colleagues, partners, or experts, who can provide feedback on the clarity, accuracy, relevance, and persuasiveness of the message. Additionally, you can pilot test your message with a small sample of your intended audience and observe their reactions. You can also evaluate the impact and outcomes of your message after it has been shared by measuring indicators such as reach, engagement, awareness, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, or actions. Surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, analytics, testimonials and other tools can be used to collect data for evaluation.

5 Share and follow up

Finally, you need to share your research findings and recommendations with your audience and follow up with them to sustain their interest and involvement. When selecting a channel, consider the format, audience, purpose, resources, timing, frequency, and duration of your communication. You can also encourage interaction by asking questions, soliciting feedback, facilitating discussions, or creating opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, provide updates and resources on your research progress, impact, or outcomes. Furthermore, express appreciation for their support or contribution and offer incentives or rewards for their action or involvement. Lastly, build relationships and networks by connecting your audience with other individuals or organizations that share their interests.

6 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?