STEMskiller: Skill Set Map for Mentors of Early Career Researchers
ENGAGEMENT, INVOLVEMENT, COLLABORATION, TRANSDISCIPLINARITY, AND INQUISITIVNESS:
Impact and public engagement
Lay abstracts with impact
Definition:
The UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) defines a lay abstract as:
…a brief summary of a research project or a research proposal that has been written for members of the public, rather than researchers or professionals. It should be written in plain English, avoid the use of jargon and explain any technical terms that have to be included. [1]
[1] NIHR INVOLVE. (2020). Jargon Buster. https://www.invo.org.uk/resource-centre/jargon-buster/?letter=L
Useful resources on Lay abstracts with impact:
Duke, M. (2020). How to Write a Lay Summary. DCC How-to Guides. Edinburgh: Digital Curation Centre. https://www.dcc.ac.uk/guidance/how-guides/write-lay-summary
Online and PDF versions include: Why lay summaries are useful, concepts, how lay summaries are used, guidelines for writing lay summaries, roles and responsibilities, examples, training and support examples, current issues and challenges, further information and bibliography.
Salita, J.T. (2015). Writing for lay audiences: A challenge for scientists. Medical Writing, 24(4). https://journal.emwa.org/media/2188/2047480615z2e000000000320.pdf
Notes that writing for “lay audiences is increasingly important for scientists” (p. 183) and describes how to deal with specialized knowledge language, expressing statistics and uncertainty as well as discussing the risks of generalization, heterogeneous audiences, and recognizing cultural exclusivity. Provides writing tips, ideal roles for scientific and funding institutions in helping scientists, and an example of lay summary compared to its scientific original.
Tags: IPS WC; PSR CE; CompQ
Peer Review: None
Table of contents:
- 4.2.6. Engaging with schools
4.2.7. Effective online engagement (including research blogging, social media posting, podcasting, & hosting virtual events)
4.2.8. Evaluating public engagement
Author: Stephanie Krueger
Peer Reviewer(s): None
Last Updated: October 28, 2021