Research is most meaningful if it is ultimately improving health for all. One of the ways to make sure research is reaching its intended audience is to put it in plain language, which is designed to be understood quickly and easily by the reader.
Researchers must make sure the information they present matches their audience’s health literacy level -- their ability to understand and use information to make decisions about their health.
By improving the delivery of research studies and results in easy-to-consume language, researchers become better partners to the community and improve health and health literacy for all.
The CTSI can help investigators present their research to the community and colleagues in plain language. This way, scientists can foster trust and improve science, exploration, and the well-being of all communities.
Materials we can help to improve by using plain language include:
- Flyers, brochures, and recruitment materials
Purpose
To enhance the access and equity of research by improving the readability and accessibility of the language used in research.
Access
To learn more about the CTSI Plain Language Project, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our team at plainlanguage@buffalo.edu.
Resources
This quick-access tool supplies researchers with tips and strategies to increase the readability of research.
- Open Research Office Session on Plain Language: Slides and Video
The CTSI Open Research Office session on plain language provided a usable definition of plain language for researchers, explored various readability indexes, and offered writing tips for recruitment and presentation materials.
- Learn more about health literacy! Check out Harvard’s Health Literacy website.
Clinical and Translational Science Institute
