Community Engaged Research Posters & Infographics: Home
Resources at the Library
Contact Us!
Exploring data and communicating findings through data visualization: Lorin Bruckner, Data Visualization Services Librarian
Using plain language and appropriate literacy/health literacy levels:Terri Ottosen, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian
Check Readability & Reading Levels in Word
MS Word allows you to check the reading level of a document, including readability scores, using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test and Flesch Reading Ease test. Copy and paste sections of posters or infographics into Word, then
PC/Windows:
•File > Options > Proofing
•Under "When correcting spelling and grammar in Word"
•Select "Check grammar with spelling"
•Select "Show readability statistics"
•Open a document and check the spelling using F7 or going to Review > Spelling & Grammar
After Word checks spelling and grammar, it displays information about the document’s reading level
•Important: You must correct or Ignore all errors found in the document for readability statistics to display.
MAC/iOS and further information
Guide Authors
This guide was created by
Grace Pelak, BS, Graduate Research Assistant, Health Sciences Library and MPH Candidate 2021, Gillings School of Global Public Health
Barbara Rochen Renner, PhD, Allied Health Sciences Liaison Librarian
With special thanks to:
Lorin Bruckner, Data Visualization Services Librarian (exploring data and communicating findings through data visualization)
Terri Ottosen, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian (Using plain language and appropriate literacy/health literacy levels)
Allied Health Sciences Liaison
Barbara Rochen Renner, PhD
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3505-6341
brrenner@email.unc.edu
335 S. Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7585
(Google Maps for directions)
Communicate Research to the Community
Recent Presentations
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Helping to Bridge the Communication Gap through Community-Engaged Research PresentationsTriangle Research Libraries Network Annual Meeting. July 31, 2020.
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Community Engaged Research PostersPresented to PhD students in Occupational Therapy, Speech & Hearing Sciences, Special Education. March 30, 2020.
Tips for Poster Design
Consult the resources below these tips for more information.
Know Your Audience
- Who? community leaders, community advocacy members, parents, other stakeholders
- What? are their interests and concerns? do they want to know? is most relevant to them?
- Adapt to fit their needs
- Respect cultural norms and customs
Use Plain Language
- Avoid acronyms and academic "buzz words"
- Avoid scientific or academic specific language
- Consider reading (grade) level
Clear Communication
- Present the most important points first
- Break complex information into chunks
- Use active voice
Clear Communication & Plain Language Resources
Resources
Clear communication resources:
- AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Communication Fundamentals
- AAAS Engage with the public and policy makers
- NIH Clear Communication
- NIH National Cancer Institute's Making Data Talk: A Workbook
Plain Language resources:
- Plainlanguage.gov
- CDC Plain Language Materials & Resources
- NIH Catalyst: The Training Page - Plain Language Posters
PEMAT Assessment Tool
The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and User’s Guide
This tool can also be used with posters or infographics.
- Checklist with online score sheet and instructions
- Separate tools for print and audiovisual materials
- Designed as a guide using a systematic method to determine whether patients will be able to understand and act on information.
Presenting to Community Stakeholders
- Speak clearly and make eye contact
- Communicate why your issue/topic is important within the first few sentences
- Do not just read your poster
- Do not overwhelm your audience with information
- As with your poster, avoid use of acronyms or scientific jargon when you speak
- Be culturally appropriate, use relevant examples.
Resources
Using Images and Graphics
Tips for using images and graphics:
- Make graphics relevant but appropriate to audience!
- It is ok to be fun & creative when using graphics to communicate your message
- Infographics or visualizations may best communicate results/findings
Resources:
-
Additional Infographic Design ResourcesIncludes links to making infographics with free tools such as Canva and Piktochart.
Infographic Examples
- AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) website search
- UNC- Telling Your SSIP Story in an Infographic
- ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) website search
- WHO (World Health Organization) infographics:
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control) infographics
- APHA (American Public Health Association) Infographics:
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Infographics: