Plain Language Summary Tool

A plain language summary describes findings from a systematic review in everyday language that is understandable to a non-research audience. Both the Cochrane and Campbell Collaborations emphasize the need for systematic reviews to be usable by members of the public.

The Center on KTDRR, working in collaboration with the University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies (UWCTDS) has developed a web-based "Plain Language Summary Tool (PLST)" to guide authors through the process of writing a plain language summary of a systematic review.

The PLST is available for anyone who needs to write a plain language summary of a systematic review and is open to all users including researchers, research assistants, and others. Users can start and stop their summaries as needed, and share with anyone they choose.

The PLST guides users through the process of creating Cochrane-style plain language summaries of systematic reviews. An introductory video, a manual, and explanatory materials are available to help users create their plain language summaries.

Access Plain Language Summary Tool (PLST)

Plain Language Summary Resources

The Center on KTDRR has gathered a number of resources that explain the need for and use of plain language and offer assistance in learning how to use plain language.

Campbell Collaboration Plain Language Summaries
https://www.campbellcollaboration.org/better-evidence.html
Plain language summaries help make Campbell systematic reviews more easily accessible and usable for their audiences. The Campbell Collaboration promotes positive social and economic change through the production and use of systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis for evidence-based policy and practice.

Center for Plain Language
https://centerforplainlanguage.org/
The Center for Plain Language is a non-profit organization that helps government agencies and businesses write clearly. The website contains a plain language checklist, book recommendations, and before and after examples from various organizations.

Clear Communication - National Institutes of Health
https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/language-access-clear-communication
The NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) has established the NIH “Clear Communication” initiative.

Cochrane Plain Language Summaries
https://www.cochrane.org/evidence
Cochrane produces systematic reviews of primary research in human health care and policy. Plain Language Summaries (PLSs) help people to understand and interpret research findings and are included in all Cochrane Reviews. PLSs are created using standard content, structure and language to ease understanding and translation and are a key section of each Cochrane Review.

Going Public: Writing About Research in Everyday Language
https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=REL2014051
This brief describes approaches that writers can use to make impact research more accessible to policy audiences.
Dynarski, M., & Kisker, E. (2014). Going public: Writing about research in everyday language (REL 2014–051). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Analytic Technical Assistance and Development.

Plain Language - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/developmaterials/plainlanguage.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies plain language resources including promotional materials on highlighting main messages and eliminating jargon and unnecessary details.

Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN)
https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/
Originally the “Plain Language Network,” PLAIN is a volunteer nonprofit organization. Resources include plain language courses, trainings, introductions, books on plain language and more.

Plain Language Links - Center for Literacy
http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/node/188
This webpage on plain language provides guides to writing, thesauri, and links to several readability formulas. The Centre for Literacy is a Canadian organization that works to support best practices and informed policy development by bridging research policy and practice.

Plain Language Training at NIH
https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/plain-language/training
The National Institutes of Health’s webpage provides links to online trainings.

PlainLanguage.Gov
https://www.plainlanguage.gov/
PlainLanguage.Gov offers support to government agencies in resolving plain language issues and planning plain language trainings.  The website contains examples, tips and tools, and other resources.

The Plain Writing Act of 2010
https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/
The law requires that federal agencies use "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use" in order to improve communication from the federal government to the public.