Presenting Research Findings in Simple Language

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Presenting Research Findings in Simple Language

When presenting research findings, especially in your dissertation, the ability to convey complex ideas in simple language is crucial for clarity and impact. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Write for Your Audience

  • Know Your Audience’s Level of Expertise: Tailor your language and explanation to the audience’s level of understanding. If your committee is highly knowledgeable in your field, you may use more technical language, but if you are presenting to a general audience, focus on simplifying your language.

2. Use Everyday Language

  • Avoid Unnecessary Jargon: While some technical terms are unavoidable, try to explain them in plain language. If a specific term is crucial, define it the first time you use it, and keep the definitions simple.

  • Be Direct and Concise: Focus on being direct. Use short, simple sentences to make your ideas easy to follow. Avoid long-winded explanations or overly complex sentences.

3. Make Complex Concepts Relatable

  • Use Analogies or Metaphors: Analogies are a powerful tool for simplifying complex ideas. For example, if explaining a complex scientific concept, you could compare it to something more familiar, like comparing the brain to a computer.

  • Simplify Explanations Without Dumbing Down: You want to avoid oversimplifying the data, but breaking down the most complex ideas into bite-sized pieces can make them much more understandable.

4. Tell a Story

  • Present Results in a Narrative: Organize your findings into a coherent narrative that flows logically. This allows the reader to follow the story of your research, making the results easier to grasp.

  • Relate to Real-World Contexts: When appropriate, explain how your findings apply to real-world issues or everyday life. This can make your findings more relatable and impactful.

5. Summarize Findings for Clarity

  • Summarize Key Findings at the End of Each Section: After explaining the results in detail, briefly summarize the key points to ensure clarity. For example, at the end of a complex section, you could say, “In summary, this finding suggests that X is significantly correlated with Y.”

6. Use Visual Aids

  • Charts and Diagrams: Use charts, graphs, and diagrams to present your findings visually. Visual aids help break down complex data and make your results more accessible.

  • Annotations and Labels: Label your visuals clearly so that your audience can easily understand what they’re looking at.

Published by Henry