Research summaries are a popular way of presenting research findings in a concise and engaging manner. However, summarizing a paper while ensuring that all key findings and recommendations are captured can be challenging. In this blog, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to craft a compelling research summary.
What is a research summary?
A research summary is a brief yet comprehensive document that aims to provide an overview of a research study’s purpose, results, and conclusions. Typically, a research summary is written in plain language, making it easily understandable to a broad audience. A research summary doesn’t replace the research article or report. Instead, it captures the essence of the research by drawing the reader in and calling them to action.
How is a research summary structured?
At the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH), we make sure that our research summaries are written in a way that is understandable to everyone.
Our summaries are designed for a broad audience that includes students, policymakers, frontline staff, advocates, and academics. We understand that brevity is important, so we aim to keep our summaries to about 1-2 pages (600 words) in length. Additionally, we always include a link to the original report or article at the end of our summaries, allowing readers to explore the subject matter in greater detail if they choose to.
The structural elements our research summaries typically follow include:
Title
The title should grab the reader’s attention and capture the key findings and recommendations as succinctly as possible. Consider formulating the title as a question your audience may have.
What is the research about? (Introduction)
In 2-3 sentences: Describe the research project, why it’s important, and the intended outcome. Why was the project created (what need/gap does it fill)?
What did the researchers do? (Methodology)
In 2-3 sentences: Describe the research process at a high level. Do not go into detail about methodology-related aspects – the reader can refer to the report for these details.
What did the researchers find? (Results)
In 2-3 sentences: Describe the results of the study. Depending on the nature of the research you’re summarizing, you may tailor it depending on whether it is purely data-driven or explores broader implications. Highlight the main findings that address the research questions or hypotheses. Emphasize significant data or statistical outcomes. Additionally, consider discussing how these results impact the broader topic and their implications for future research or policy.
How can you use this research? (Recommendations)
Arguably the most important element of the summary, this section should answer: How should your audience use the learnings from your research? Why should they care about this research? What impact could it have on their work? State them clearly, in a way that is easy to understand.
Further reading
It is useful to provide a link for interested readers to access more information (such as the full research paper or project website).
References
These should be kept to a minimum and included in endnotes.
Author Information
Contact details, date and copyright information. If applicable: acknowledgement of funders.
Tips for Writing an Engaging Research Summary
The focus of creating a summary of your research should be on communicating the findings and not elaborating on methodology-related aspects. Therefore, the summary should provide a brief and understandable overview of the research and how it could impact the reader’s daily work.
Prepare the first draft
Start by re-reading your research paper and making notes of answers to simple what, why, and how questions.
Use simple language
Write in plain language that everyone can understand. Define all acronyms. Avoid using complex sentences and technical terms. That is, break complex ideas into separate sentences, define any terms or concepts that readers might be unfamiliar with, and relate abstract or complicated concepts to everyday experiences to bridge the gap between what readers already know and what they’re trying to learn. For example, instead of “Economic inequality can lead to disparities in access to quality healthcare services” you could simplify it to “Economic inequality creates gaps in healthcare access.”
Include visuals
Adding charts, diagrams, or infographics creates an engaging way to summarize research. They can visualize a process, highlight past trends, or emphasize key findings in a more accessible way.
Edit and proofread
Like any other piece of writing, a research summary should be edited and proofread for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors.
Use bulleted and numbered lists
Break up long paragraphs using lists. These allow the reader to scan for key information.
Include Pullquotes
Highlight the voices of lived experience from research participants, where applicable.
Tailoring your research summary to an audience
Start by identifying your audience and what they need to know. Below, I offer some suggestions for tailoring a research summary to a specific audience.
Audience: Policymakers
A research summary intended for policymakers, also known as a policy brief, should be considered a starting point for engaging policymakers. Getting it into the hands of the right people at the right time could have a significant impact.
When writing a research summary for a policy audience, start by asking yourself: Why does this research matter for public policy? Take time to understand the policy landscape, identify key players, and analyze their position on the topic. This will allow you to make informed decisions about how you present your findings. Then, consider the specific areas or public policy issues for which your findings are significant. Perhaps they could contribute to an ongoing policy debate and offer solutions to policy challenges. Your research findings may even demonstrate ways to improve current policymaking.
Audience: Frontline Worker
Frontline staff are required to do regular, ongoing training ranging from general homelessness knowledge to life-saving skills.
When writing a research summary for a frontline audience, start by asking yourself: What are the practical implications of the research? How might it help frontline staff improve current processes and procedures? Are there any new tools or strategies that could be implemented to make their jobs easier or more effective?
Additionally, it’s important to offer concrete solutions to the challenges that frontline staff face on a daily basis. By doing so, you can help ensure that your research is not only informative, but also actionable and relevant to those who are providing critical services to those in need.
Examples of Research Summaries
Check out these samples below for inspiration:
- Responding to Youth Homelessness in the Midst of a Pandemic: Shifting to Collaborative, Prevention-Based Services in a Large Urban Setting
- The Impacts of COVID-19 on 2SLGBTQ+ Youth At-Risk Of, and Experiencing, Homelessness
- Upstream Canada: Preventing Youth Homelessness through School Engagement
Conclusion
Crafting a compelling research summary is a valuable skill that can help researchers communicate their findings to a wider audience. By following the structural elements outlined in this blog, using plain language, and tailoring the summary to the intended audience, researchers can create a concise and engaging summary that highlights their research’s key findings and implications. By doing so, you can ensure that your research is accessible and useful to a broad range of readers.