Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language
Plain Language is communication that people can easily understand. Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language primer is designed to help researchers connect with individuals and communities using Plain Language.
Executive Summary
Hypothesis: Communication in Plain Language between researchers and community members/community-based organizations can improve comprehension, community engagement and build trust among diverse communities.
Aim: Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language is a primer that aims to serve as a resource for researchers when creating materials for the public by providing tips on how to use Plain Language in academic and scientific research. Plain Language, defined as clear and straightforward communication, is accessible language that enables readers of varied literacy levels to access and understand the information provided. This primer and related research study seek to overcome barriers to comprehension by promoting communication in Plain Language. The primer emphasizes that by presenting scientific information in Plain Language, research becomes more approachable and stronger connections can be fostered between researchers and the public. Stronger connections encourage broader participation in studies ultimately leading to more representation and inclusiveness in research.
Methods: A qualitative study was implemented between February 2023 through August 2024. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 50 community partners and their community engagement staff from the Western New York region including underrepresented groups such as rural communities and individuals with disabilities. The participants' general views on communication and how they communicate within their communities were explored. Additional questions aimed to understand participants' preferences and collected ideas for improving communication between their communities and research.
Results: Rapid analysis of the interview transcripts identified key barriers to research communication such as use of technical language, lack of relevance to communities, and inaccessible materials. The findings emphasized the need for clear and visually appealing communication. A primer was created for researchers to showcase community preferences and provide tips on design and graphics for creating materials such as recruitment flyers.
Conclusion: The primer highlights the benefits of communicating in Plain Language. Communication in Plain Language not only makes research more accessible but also cultivates trust and engagement with communities that have been historically mistreated and underrepresented in the research field.
Interested in receiving a copy of Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language? See excerpts below and contact us for your copy. Watch a CTSI Open Research Office session to learn more about the primer.
Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language is comprised of five chapters and appendices excerpted below.
When developing this primer, we found it essential to not only relay the opinions of the community on Plain Language, but also to provide applications of the findings. Within this appendix we have devised three sections that demonstrate usage of Plain Language to increase attention, readability, and participation with research outreach materials.
Starting with Appendix A, we provide a template directly derived from community members’ review of the Food-ittude Study from the Plain Language Resources section. Although we believe this template exemplifies community members’ sentiments on what makes an enticing and clear flyer, interpretation of this resource for your specific community is encouraged to best reach your target audience.
To ensure you do not forget any of the key points when developing materials with Plain Language in mind, see Appendix B. The Plain Language Checklist includes four key aspects in designing materials that coincide with usage of Plain Language: attention, words, graphics, and organization. Inspired by points previously discussed in the report, the checklist serves as something to consult when creating new materials.
Appendix C is a recruitment flyer that reflects participants’ suggestions and demonstrates the ability of Plain Language to be interpreted for any project. The original flyer was at a collegiate reading level. Take note of how simple changes to words and organization lower the reading level to an eighth grade reading level with a 97% ease of reading level. A double-sided flyer with quick attention-grabbing headlines on the front, and more of the project’s detailed information on the back, was created by participants to make it more readable.
Finally, Appendix D includes existing supplementary Plain Language resources. Overall, we contextually connected this project to useful materials to serve as the final step in developing a holistic understanding of Plain Language, how to use it effectively, and how it can improve connections between the research and the community.