How can you use data to evaluate your research communication success?

Not sure this is feasible- data helps to understand the who of your audience and their response but in communication the missing piece is action and comprehension- just because someone opened up the email or downloads the document does not mean they understand it or it’s helpful to them, data is helpful to build a picture from the answers they provide you but it can’t tell you if anyone actually got the message you were sending in the way you wanted them to…

Set specific goals and measurable indicators in the beginning of your research communication. For example, goals could be to increase visibility in academic circles or to increase public participation,?and indicators could be media attention, or citation counts.

Data Types: Depending on your objectives, you may choose to use qualitative data from surveys or interviews or quantitative data from sources like web analytics. Select between directly obtained primary data and pre-existing secondary data. Methods of Collection: Use suitable techniques, including media analysis, web analytics, interviews, and surveys. Make sure they align with your goals and moral principles. Validity and Reliability: Make sure your study aims are viable, valid, and supported by data sources and methodologies that you can rely on. When acquiring and utilizing data, take ethical considerations into account as well.

Collect information using the strategies you have chosen. This can include maintaining tabs on social media activity, tracking website views, or examining citation counts. Assess this information in order to find any connections, trends, or patterns that indicate how well your communication efforts are working.

Try to find stories instead of putting a lot of data in a presentation. People relate to stories far better than facts. This is an universal truth. Tell why this is important before anything else. The people in front of you need to feel why you think this is so important. That is what they will remember when you leave the room - not the graphs.

Use the three forms of language people understand- visual audio feel and tell stories to make the information memorable and alive not dull like facts and data tend to be- repetition is vital too - tell them what you are going to tell them…. Tell them…. Tell them what you told them then they might remember it

Provide your results in an understandable and concise manner. Effectively explain patterns with the use of visual aids such as graphs and charts. For example, you could highlight an increase in website traffic following a social media campaign or a boost in citation counts following publication.