Workshop to Enhance Research Visibility by IES Research. Speakers: Iris Hsu For National Institutes of Health, Malaysia

1. Research Outreach Training
on 15th April 2021
by

2. Speaker: Iris Hsu, Research Impact Consultant, ies Research
1. Plain Language Summary (PLS)
2. Writing a good PLS
3. Applications
WRITE
good
plain language summary of
your work
Session 2

3. Plain Language Summary (PLS)
What is PLS?
“A plain language summary is a brief outline of a research
project…They are helpful in making information about
research more open, transparent and accessible. Plain
language summaries are not an attempt to ‘dumb down’
scientific information. It is important to be able to speak or
write about research in a way that potential funders,
supporters, policy makers, consumers and the community
can understand.”
McKenzie A. Consumer and Community Participation Fact Sheet M11:
Plain Language Summaries (2011)

4. Big
Why
Why
What
How
introduction
methodology
discussion
PLAIN LANGUAGE
Research Paper
Abstract
Plain Language Summary (PLS)
Different Types of Research Communication

5. The Storyboard
Writing a Good PLS
Extraction from Research Paper to Storyboard
Big
Why
Why
What
How
introduction
methodology
discussion

6. The Storyboard
Writing a Good PLS
The Why: Thesis Statement
Example
Questions:
- What is the immediate problem this research is solving?
- How is the solution proposal relevant to my research

7. The immediate impact your research is to make
• To Whom, Where, Which group you bring change to
• What kind of change
The Storyboard
Source: Kristel Alla, “What does research impact actually do?”, SAGE Publishing 2018
Writing a Good PLS
The What: Novelty of the Solution

8. The Storyboard
The So what !
Connect audience with what they care
Writing a Good PLS
The Big Why: Addressing the Bigger Problem
• To Whom, Where, Which group you bring change to
• How you make those changes
• What kind of change

10. - What are the short-term and long-term contributions of my research?
(Contribution)
- What changes will my research bring about when implemented or shared?
(Change)
- What is the level of influence of my research (who/what am I helping)?
(Level)
- What supports or channels are needed to realise my work? (Avenue)
What
Writing a Good PLS
Questions to better position the WHAT of your research

11. - Why are my results newsworthy?
- Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) am I planning to address? How?
- What’s the next step of my research?
Big Why
Writing a Good PLS
Questions to better position the BIG WHY of your research

12. - What is the research question that I am resolving?
- How the need to explore this question came about?
- Why is it important/exciting for me to explore this question?
Why
Writing a Good PLS
Questions to better position the WHY of your research

13. Why
Big
Why
What
Examples
Solution for existing
problems
Creating Energy Efficient LEDs

14. Examples
A Closer Look at the Treehopper Helmet Structure
Why
Big
Why
What
Observation

15. LaBr3(Ce) Detector Performance Upgrade: Understanding the
Intrinsic Background Radiation
Why
Big
Why
What
Enhancement of current
process
Examples

16. Use of PLS in various platforms
Publication submission and posting at research community platfoms

17. Rule #4
Avoid technical expression
Rule #1
Identify the Big Why – Why - What
Rule #2
Focus on evidence & impact
Rule #3
Connect to the bigger theme
4
basic rules of writing
Scientific
Plain Language Summary
Summary

18. Thank You
Q&A Session
Speaker: Iris Hsu, Research Impact Consultant ies Research
Website: https://iesresearch.solutions
Email Address: iesresearch.solutions@gmail.com