The scientific method’s final step is to draw a conclusion and disseminate your findings. You can share your findings with diverse communities either the scientific community or the general public.

As the name implies, the conclusion is where your study is wrapped up. It is also your last chance to emphasize the significance of your research and the contribution it has made. The fundamental rules to follow while drawing your conclusion are that there should be no new points, information, or arguments to be added, and the conclusion should be concise and clear. All you have to do is underline and summarize what has already been stated and discussed. There are a few key elements you should include in the conclusion. First, reintroduce the research question and study goal to remind people of the purpose of your research. Next, summarize the key findings that capture the essence of your work. Highlight the novelty of your research and explain how it fills knowledge gaps or expands existing understanding. You should also add the work’s broader relevance, potential impact, and implications. Finally, acknowledge any limitations and suggest areas for further investigation. Table 5.1 highlights the dos and don’ts of drawing conclusions.

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At this point, you have completed your thesis or report. You probably thought your task was finished. However, your research should not end with the submission of a thesis, dissertation, or report that is then archived forever. A scientific process is not complete until its findings are effectively disseminated to others (not just to your supervisor or examination panels). Why is it crucial to disseminate our findings to different audiences? The primary reason is that disseminating research findings is the only way for the progress of science, the growth of knowledge, and the betterment of society. When research findings are disseminated to the scientific community, they can inspire others, generate new ideas, and act as a basis for additional study and collaboration. Your findings may one day become secondary data or sources of reference for someone’s research only if you have shared them. On the other hand, when you communicate your findings with policymakers and the broader public, they can help inform decisions, shape policies, and contribute to societal improvement.

What are some effective ways of conveying research to a wide range of audiences, including the scientific community and the general public? One thing is certain: the approaches must be different. In general, researchers can interact with others in their field in two ways: by giving an oral or poster presentation at a conference and by publishing a journal article in a peer-reviewed academic journal. However, the language used in presentations and journal papers is highly technical, with a lot of scientific jargon. Therefore, the general public, which includes children, college students, stakeholders, policymakers, and so on will have difficulty understanding the significance of such presentations and journal articles. Therefore, you can convey your findings to non-experts using alternative channels such as press release and media coverage, public lecture, social media engagement, outreach program, and so on. Box 5.1 illustrates how we can share research findings to different audiences. 

Sharing Discovery with Scientific Community 

The two typical approaches we use to communicate our findings to the scientific world are conference presentation and journal publication. A conference is a broad term for an organized event where individuals with a common interest or field of expertise gather to exchange knowledge, present research findings, discuss current topics, and network with fellow professionals. In addition to conferences, you may have heard of other terms like congress, symposium, colloquium, seminar, and so on. These terms refer to various kinds of events that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas within specific fields (see Box 5.2).

Oral and poster presentations are two common formats for presenting research or findings at conferences. Both oral and poster presentations have their advantages and can be effective ways to share research at conferences. Oral presentations offer the opportunity to deliver a structured talk, highlight key points, and engage the audience through verbal communication. On the other hand, poster presentations allow for visual representation, direct interaction with attendees, and the flexibility to discuss research in a more casual and interactive setting. The choice between oral and poster presentations often depends on factors such as the conference guidelines, the nature of the research, personal preferences, and the desired level of engagement with the audience. Table 5.2 summarize an overview of each format.

In the context of academic and scientific research, a journal refers to a periodical publication that focuses on a specific field of study. Journals play a crucial role in facilitating the dissemination, evaluation, and advancement of scientific knowledge by providing a platform for researchers to publish their work and contribute to their respective fields. Disseminating research findings through journal publication usually will go through a process called peer review, wherein submitted research manuscripts are evaluated by experts in the field before publication. This process helps ensure the quality, validity, and significance of the research. Peer review involves critical assessment of the research methodology, data analysis, interpretation of results, and overall contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

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In recent years, there has been increasing interest in preprints, which are preliminary versions of research articles that are shared openly prior to formal peer review. Preprints allow researchers to disseminate their findings quickly and receive early feedback from the scientific community. Many journals are accepting manuscripts that have been previously shared as preprints, and some even actively encourage preprint sharing. However, you should always take precautious and review the policies of specific journals and communicate with editors to clarify any potential conflicts between preprints and journal publication.

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Journal publication is not a simple task. It is a challenging process and possess many obstacles that can hinder you from publishing your findings. Fear of rejection or criticism is the most common reason why researchers are hesitant to submit their work for publication. A piece of advise to overcome this is to take any rejection and criticism positively as an opportunity to improve the manuscript. Regardless of the decision, appreciate the editor and reviewer for their time and efforts, as these are typically volunteer positions for academic journals. If you ever felt lost of confidence due to the rejection or harsh comments from reviewers, always seek support from mentors and colleagues to boost your confidence.

The majority of journals are in English, with the exception of few local journals in their home country. As a result, if you are non-native English speakers, you may struggle to write and communicate effectively. Even worse, you may feel driven to publish in selective journals with high-impact factors to improve your academic reputation and career prospects. Most of the time, publication bias, where positive or statistically significant results are more likely to be published, can pose challenges if your studies yield negative or inconclusive findings. To overcome the language barrier, there are numerous language editing services and experienced editors available for a cost. You can also ask friends or colleagues who are fluent in English for assistance with proofreading and editing. You should also avoid selecting a journal based on its high impact factor or classification as a Q1 or Q2 journal. Choose a journal that corresponds to the scope and relevance of your research. You can also consider publishing negative or inconclusive findings in specialized journals or platforms that value rigorous methodology and complete reporting.

Lastly, the peer review process itself can present challenges. Reviewers may provide critical feedback that requires extensive revisions or additional experiments, which can prolong the publication timeline. Addressing reviewer comments can be time-consuming and you may often face time constraints due to other more pressing commitments and lost tract during the process. Prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities as appropriate. Participate in writing workshops or join a writing group to gain insights into the publication process and respond to feedback effectively.

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Sharing Discovery with the General Public

Sharing discovery with a broader audience may be more challenging than you realize. The term “general public” encompasses people of diverse ages, educational levels, and special interests. As a result, tailoring study findings to different audiences is essential for effective communication. So first things first. Who is your target audience? Are they children, college students, policymakers, or potential grant funders? After you have identified your target audience, consider a few aspects to make sure that the sharing is relevant, interesting, and beneficial to them. First, different audiences have varying levels of technical understanding and experience with the topic. As a result, you should adjust the findings to an acceptable level of detail and complexity dependent on the audience’s understanding. You should also translate technical jargon into common words or provide clear definitions for easier understanding. This allows your audience to engage with the information and understand the main results and implications. Furthermore, different audiences have unique agendas and areas of interest. By personalizing the information to their interests and concerns, you can effectively catch and engage their attention. For example, when engaging with the general public or policymakers, it may be important to emphasize the research’s practical implications and societal influence. There are numerous alternative channels to share discovery with the general public such as press release and media coverage, public lecture, social media engagement, outreach program and so on. Among other, social media have emerged as one of the popular alternative ^[1]. Select the platform which is most suit to your audience. Finally, while adjusting the findings and conveying through different platforms, make sure the facts are correct and clear to avoid misinterpretation or misunderstandings.

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