It’s an exciting time to work in life sciences. The industry is buzzing with exciting breakthroughs, business mergers, and groundbreaking experiments!
However, as the old proverb goes— If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Without scientific communication, the latest discoveries and scientific breakthroughs would go unnoticed and unheard of. Therefore, a strong life science communication strategy is the key to running a thriving life science business or start-up in 2023. It’s crucial to carefully shape your tone, content, and communication medium to maximise impact.
However, with so many communication methods now available, how do you know which is most effective?
This blog post explores the top 4 most effective science communication mediums, including research papers, blog posts, white pages, and social media posts. We also explore what science communication is and how to pick the right communication method for your business.
What Is Science Communication?
Scientific communication is about sharing knowledge and information with readers in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Good scientific writing makes the complex seem simple, and the simple seem eloquent.
The goal is to help people understand how science affects their lives and why it's important. Scientific writing is about building trust in science and scientists and encouraging everyone to become more scientifically literate.
Whether writing articles, crafting a social media post, or writing a new life sciences journal, science communication is all about making your research accessible, relevant, and often— fun!
How Do I Pick a Communication Method?
The medium of scientific communication will depend on your audience, the information you want to communicate, and your communication goals.
When considering your audience, ask yourself— who are you trying to reach with your communication? Is it other scientists, the general public, or a grant committee? Different audiences have different needs and preferences for the type of content and format they prefer. For example, you could try a blog post or social media post for an inexperienced or mass audience. However, a research paper or case study may be more appropriate for those knowledgeable about the topic.
Secondly, you need to ask yourself what information you want to communicate. Is it complex or simple? Niche or broad? A niche, complex subject matter will require more evidentiary support, such as that found in a white paper or journal. However, try a social media post for quick facts and bite-sized information.
Finally, consider your communication goals. Is it to educate, inform, convince, or storytell? Your communication goal will change the tone of your writing and your method of communication. For example, if your goal is to educate your readers, a research paper is more appropriate than a social media post, and an academic writing style is best.
Top 4 Types of Scientific Communication
Ready to learn about the top 4 science communication examples? Let’s dive in!
Research papers
Research papers are a fundamental component of scientific communication, and the primary way scientists share their research findings with their peers and the broader scientific community.
Research papers can be anywhere from 5-50 pages in length, depending on the complexity of the subject matter. The structure of research papers can vary depending on the discipline and the journal's requirements. However, most research papers will include
Abstract. This should be a brief summary of the research question, method, results, and conclusion., You should write this last as an overview of your research paper.
Introduction. This section should provide background to the research questions, including any prior research, a literature review, and the study’s objectives.
Methods. This section describes the study’s design, research sample, and data collection methods.
Results. This should include your findings and any data analysis, figures, tables, and graphs.
Discussion. Here you should interpret the results, including their significance, limitations, and implications for future research,
Conclusion. Here you should summarise the key findings, state whether your research questions were answered, and comment on the importance of any findings.
Research papers are typically published in academic journals and provide a detailed account of a particular research project or study. They are a key aspect of working in the life science industry and should be more formal in tone.
Scientific Blog posts
Blog posts are an increasingly popular method of scientific communication. They provide an informal and accessible way for scientists to share their research findings, insights, and perspectives with a broader audience.
Blog posts should be accessible to your audience and engaging. You should write in a clear and conversational style. Be sure to include anecdotes, examples, and high-quality images to increase readability.
Blogging helps scientists connect with the public, promote research, and engage in scientific discussions. In addition, well-written blog posts are a great way to improve the SEO of your blog or website.
You can seamlessly weave a high number of keywords into a blog post. This will improve your website’s google ranking and help drive organic website traffic!
Scientific Whitepages
White papers are a type of scientific communication used to illustrate a solution to a problem within a scientific industry. Individual scientists or groups of scientists typically use them to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise on a topic through facts and evidence.
White papers are typically longer and more detailed than other types of scientific communication, such as blog posts or research papers. They may include data, statistics, case studies to support their arguments, and relevant research and literature references. White papers may also include policy recommendations or proposals for further research.
Having a clear and well-defined argument or perspective is important when writing a white paper. The paper should be evidence-based, drawing on data and research to support its claims. The paper should also be well-structured and easy to navigate, with clear headings and subheadings.
Social media posts
Social media is an accessible tool to help you keep up with the latest news, engage in scientific discussions, and build professional networks. With popular social media apps like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at our fingertips, it's no wonder social media is becoming a popular method of science communication.
Social media for scientific communication should be professional, engaging, and current. Scientists should avoid sharing confidential information or making unsupported claims. Scientists should also ensure that their social media activity aligns with their brand image and professional values. Nowadays, your social media presence is an extension of you and your research, so creating a strong, authentic brand image is essential.
Need help figuring out where to start? Check out our blog about crafting the perfect life science social media post!
Conclusion
In this digital age, you can communicate science and scientific breakthroughs in many different ways. Your communication medium, tone, and method will depend on your desired audience, the knowledge you want to share, and the purpose of your writing. Whether it's sharing groundbreaking research with peers, engaging the public on a pressing scientific issue, or building professional networks, there's a scientific communication tool that's right for every purpose.
Keen to learn what great science communication can do for your life science business? Read our case studies to understand how Co-Labb can help!