Research participants call for clearer, more accessible communication
A new publication from Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) reveals a critical gap in how research findings are shared. A common thread among reported findings was that most people who participate in research studies never receive the results despite having contributed time and personal experiences. The summary of findings published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, titled “Bridging the Gap: Community Insights on Effectively Sharing Research Findings with the Public,” explores different ways researchers should consider communicating results.
Researchers conducted six focus groups across Pennsylvania, which included 45 participants from rural, suburban, and urban communities. Those who had identified as having previously participated in research said they had never received the results of the studies they contributed to.
“Participants want to know what came from the research they helped make possible,” said the research team. “Sharing results is not just best practice, it’s essential to building trust and keeping communities engaged.”
Clear, Simple, and Local: What Communities Want
Participants described research as overly technical, hard to understand, and disconnected from real life. Some even expressed skepticism about researchers’ intentions, citing a lack of transparency and follow-through.
The study found that participants and communities overwhelmingly prefer:
Short, plain-language summaries that clearly explain what was found and why the research matters
Visual results like infographics that are easy to scan and understand
In-person engagement, such as “Data Walks,” where researchers present findings at community events
Trusted messengers, including local leaders or community organizations, to help share the results information
When findings are shared in clear and accessible ways, community members are better equipped to understand health information, make informed decisions, and stay engaged in research that affects them.
“Research doesn’t end when results are published in a journal,” the team noted. “It ends when the people it’s meant to benefit can understand and use the findings.”
Sharing research results isn’t just a courtesy; it’s an ethical responsibility. Participants give their time, data, and lived experiences. Failure to return results can weaken trust and reduce willingness to participate in future studies, particularly in rural communities where access to research is already limited.
About the Study
The project was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Grant U54 TR002014-05A1. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.