How to Explain Complex Research Findings in Simple Terms

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How to Explain Complex Research Findings in Simple Terms

Explaining complex research findings in simple terms is essential for making your dissertation accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are presenting to a committee or writing for a general audience, clarity is key. Here’s how to communicate complex findings effectively:

1. Break Down Complex Concepts

  • Simplify Terminology: Avoid jargon and technical terms whenever possible. If you must use specialized terms, define them in simple language. For example, instead of saying “regression analysis,” you could say “a statistical method used to examine the relationship between variables.”

  • Use Analogies or Metaphors: Analogies can help simplify complex concepts by comparing them to something familiar. For example, if you’re explaining how a computer algorithm works, you could compare it to a recipe where different ingredients (data) come together to create a dish (outcome).

  • Chunk Information: Break your findings into smaller, manageable parts. This will help your audience follow your logic step by step, rather than overwhelming them with too much information at once.

2. Use Visual Aids

  • Graphs and Charts: Use clear and simple visuals like bar charts, pie charts, or line graphs to represent your data. Visuals often make complex data easier to understand. Keep graphs simple—avoid unnecessary details and ensure that labels are easy to read.

  • Tables: Organize your results in tables with concise headings. Focus on the most important figures and avoid overcrowding the table with data.

  • Infographics: If appropriate, you can use infographics to visually explain relationships between variables, trends, or key points.

3. Provide Context and Relevance

  • Relate Findings to Real-World Scenarios: If your research findings are abstract, explain their real-world implications. For example, if your dissertation examines educational interventions, explain how the findings could affect classroom teaching.

  • Focus on Key Takeaways: Instead of diving into every detail, emphasize the key findings and their significance. Be clear about why these findings matter and how they contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

4. Use Plain Language

  • Write in Active Voice: The active voice makes sentences clearer and more direct. For example, instead of saying “The study was conducted by researchers,” say “Researchers conducted the study.”

  • Avoid Long, Complex Sentences: Long, complex sentences can confuse the reader. Break them down into shorter, simpler sentences to make your explanation more digestible.

5. Provide Summaries

  • Summarize Findings: After explaining each finding, provide a brief summary or recap to reinforce the main point. This allows the audience to absorb the information before moving on to the next point.

  • Use Bullet Points: For complex findings, bullet points can help break down the information into digestible pieces.

6. Anticipate Questions

  • Prepare for Clarification: When presenting complex findings, be prepared for questions that may arise. Be ready to explain any aspects that may not have been clear in your initial explanation.

Published by oriaku