Communicating Science Clearly

Overview This Session will teach you to: –Communicate the importance of research – Translate the language of clinical trials – Use statistics without confusing your audience – Avoid misunderstandings

Scientists often use technical jargon. Certain words, such as significance and trial, have different meanings in a scientific context. Fundamental concepts – randomization, efficacy, double-blind trial – are not commonly understood. Terms, such as hazard ratio, are not easily translated. Why is Science often Misunderstood?

Explaining the Need for Research Guideline 1: Emphasize the potential health impacts of your research. Guideline 2: Convey how your study fits into the bigger picture of public health needs. Guideline 3: Explain that all research asks a question. No one can predict results. Guideline 4: Clearly provide the reason why a particular community was chosen for the study.

Explaining the Need for Research Guideline 5: Provide background information about your field. Guideline 6: Outline the process of clinical research. Guideline 7: Frame research as serving the common good.

Translating the Language of Clinical Studies “The key to writing easy-to-read materials is to get outside of your own head and stop thinking about what you know and what you think is important, and try to think of it through somebody else’s eyes and what they will think is important to know – and then write your materials with this audience in mind. -Anna Forbes, former Deputy Director, Global Campaign for Microbicides

Translating the Language of Clinical Studies Be alert to double meanings or different meanings. Consider using images or props to explain a concept. Not all visual tools will be appropriate to all audiences. Translate scientific concepts into the national language and main local languages.

Demystifying Statistics Simplify numbers. 51.2% is “about half.” Be careful of fractions and proportions. –Reduced risk by one-third could imply to lay audiences that two-thirds of participants got infected. Use numbers and comparisons that people can relate to. Learn how to explain common terms.

Common Statistical Terms Statistical Significance Confidence Interval Incidence and Prevalence

Avoiding Misunderstandings Limit your use of acronyms. Use language that respect the humanizes and respects your trial participants. Use neutral, straightforward language. Terms like seroconversion are too technical for lay audiences. Use consistent language.

Summary Always attempt to communicate the big picture. Understand the cultural context of your audience and adapt your communication to suit that context. Simplicity prevents misunderstandings.

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