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.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Plain Language
My Story: Vignettes on Plain Language
Three participants from very different Western New York communities tell us about their views on Plain Language. Take note of the differences between each community and how history may impact on how they prefer to interact with researchers or others. From these personal stories, you may see how Plain Language is necessary. These vignettes were not part of the analysis and were co-written with the community members and offer some rationale for the need for Plain Language. With this in mind, enjoy stories and philosophies of Mona, Broderick, and Judy.
Understanding Plain Language
In reviewing the literature, common themes emerged:
- Jargon and difficult terminology are common deterrents from engaging in research.
- Breaking down barriers to understanding and accessing research will result in wider distribution of scientific knowledge to the public.
- Researchers must always consider their audience and craft focused messages for successful communication.
- Researchers need to focus communications on what is most important to the audience, not necessarily what is most important to the researcher.
- Research needs to be relevant for the audience to capture their attention and motivate them to be engaged. A personal connection must be established.
- Documents must be written in an active voice as opposed to passive voice.
Our Approach to Plain Language in Western New York
The goal of this project is to understand the nuances of communities in Western New York and help local researchers engage those communities. Research is only as relevant as it reflects the community being impacted. For these purposes, we reached broad representatives from the diverse Western New York communities and developed this primer to inform researchers to better engage communities. The goal of this project is to understand the perceptions and strategies of people who work regularly with communities. This will help researchers apply some of the same successful strategies in order to best reach communities.
In this Community Perspectives on Communicating in Plain Language Primer, we believe that Plain Language:
- Promotes community engagement
- Builds trust between the community and the researcher
- Sustains community collaborations and partnerships