https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/our-research/our-research-infrastructure/nihr-great-ormond-street-hospital-brc/nihr-gosh-brc-and-crf-joint-support-research-strategies/patient-and-public-involvement-engagement-ppie-hub/plain-english-summary-guidance/
Plain English Summary Guidance
The importance of a Plain English summaries in funding applications
Plain English summaries are important for the following reasons:
- to effectively engage the general public in the outputs of an organisation
- to publicise the research funded by the organisation
- as a foundation to build and adapt research as it develops
For most of our funding calls, we ask applicants to submit a plain English summary of their research project. If an application for funding is successful, the summary may also be used on NIHR and other websites. Therefore, the summary needs to be fit for purpose to use on its own, without the rest of the application.
Internal and external funding reviewers will also use a plain English summary to inform their review of a funding application. Reviewers will often include clinicians and researchers who do not have specialist knowledge of the field of research project submitted as well as public reviewers.
Support for researchers in crafting effective Plain English summaries
GOSH BRC also supports researchers to improve the Plain English summaries for their projects.
Watch the GOSH BRC Junior Faculty Education Bitesize Seminar ‘What makes a good Plain English Summary’
Remember, writing a good plain English summary now will save time later, as it can be used for informing patient information sheets and other related materials.
Understanding a Plain English Summary
A plain English summary of a research proposal is sometimes referred to as a ‘lay summary’ and:
- Is aimed at an audience that is not expert in the ideas, methodologies, scientific or technical content described in the research proposal.
- Should:
- provide a concise and informative way to share research proposals or findings with a wider, non-specialist audience
- be written clearly and simply, without jargon, acronyms (abbreviations) and with an explanation of any technical terms
- is not the same as a scientific abstract.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) states that a plain English summary is:
A clear, easy to read summary that is as jargon free as possible. It provides an overview of the whole of your research study that readers can understand the first time they read it.
“If the plain English summary is well written, somehow the whole application seems easier to assess – I have an idea of what it is about.” Public reviewer
Guidance for writing in plain English
Plain English is a style of writing that the intended audience can understand after a single read. Well-written, Plain English should engage and inform an audience. It is about clarity of language and any other text that is not easy to understand. If technical terms are needed, they should be properly explained. When writing in Plain English, the writer should not change the meaning of what they want to say, but they may need to change the way they say it.
Remember: writing simple sentences does not always mean information is conveyed effectively. Simplify complex terminology using plain English explanations or everyday analogies.
Information that should be included in a plain English summary (where appropriate)
Aims of the research:
- What is the researcher aiming to find out?
- How will patients, parent carers, members of the public and services benefit from the research – either directly or in the longer term?
Background to the research:
- Why does this research need to be done now?
- What is the scale of the issue? For example:
- How many patients or members of the public are affected?
- What are the costs to services?
Design and methods used:
- What design and methods has the researcher chosen and why?
- Who are their participants? (If appropriate)
Patient and public involvement:
- How have patients or the public been involved in developing this research to date or what plans are there to involve them?
- How will patients or the public be involved in the conduct/management of the research?
Dissemination:
Who will the findings be communicated to and how?
Tips for researchers when writing a plain English Summary
Some questions you can use when writing a plain English summary includes:
- Is it written in an understandable way, and could it be easily read and understood as a stand-alone piece by a lay audience?
- Does it aim to engage the reader whenever possible?
- Does it focus on the main concepts that are relevant to the lay audience?
- Is it balanced?
- Is it interesting?
- Does it avoid jargon?
- Are sentences kept short or have bullet points been used where appropriate?
- Does it use active not passive phrases, for example does it say ‘we will do it’ rather than ‘it will be done by us’?
- Have patients, parent carers, colleagues read a draft to check if anything is unclear?
The research:
- Does the context define the who, what, why, when, where and how of the research?
- Does it describe the research accurately?
- How have patients or the public been involved in developing this research to date?
- How will patients or the public be involved in the conduct or management of the research?
- Does it reflect the merits and caveats (specific conditions or limitations) of the research in an honest and objective way?
- Does it consider different ways to describe the science without the need for a complete summary of terms and definitions?
- When using scientific terms, does it define them and any other technical concepts used, avoiding further terminology when doing so?
- How will the findings be communicated and to whom?
Consider the following:
- On words: many words in general usage can have a particular meaning when used in a scientific context (for example, control, error and mutant)- will the audience understand the intended meaning and are the choice of words considered carefully?
- On using analogies or metaphors: the intended audience might have an easier time grasping the science if they can relate it to a common scenario or experience. However, analogies or metaphors shouldn’t take over and confuse, rather than clarify.
Remember: it is often good to return to a first draft after a few hours. With fresh eyes it is easier to spot opportunities for improvement – such as words that can be removed – that were missed the first time.