How can you present complex research findings to stakeholders?

1 Know your audience

Before you start creating your presentation, you need to understand who your audience is, what they already know, what they want to know, and how they will use your research. This will help you tailor your content, language, and style to suit their needs and expectations. For example, if your audience is technical, you can use more jargon and details, but if your audience is non-technical, you need to simplify and explain your terms and concepts. Similarly, if your audience is interested in the implications and recommendations of your research, you need to highlight them clearly, but if your audience is more concerned with the methods and validity of your research, you need to provide more evidence and justification.

2 Structure your presentation

A well-structured presentation can help you organize your thoughts, guide your audience, and emphasize your main points. When presenting research findings, it is common to structure the presentation in the following way: begin with an introduction that provides background and context for the research topic, states the research question and objectives, and summarizes the main findings and contributions. Then explain the methods used to conduct the research, such as data sources and tools, as well as assumptions and limitations. After that, present the data analysis and results using tables, charts, graphs, or other visual aids to illustrate the findings. Highlight any key patterns, trends, relationships, or differences that emerged from the data. Next interpret and evaluate the results in relation to the research question and objectives, comparing them to existing literature or theories. Address any unexpected or contradictory findings while acknowledging any limitations or gaps in the research. Finally, summarize your main findings and contributions while discussing the implications and recommendations of your research for practice, policy, or further research.

5 Practice and prepare

The most important step to presenting your complex research findings to your stakeholders is to practice and prepare for your presentation. To do this, you should write a script or an outline of your presentation and rehearse it aloud several times in front of a mirror, recorder, or friend. Additionally, you should time yourself and adjust the content and pace accordingly, aiming for a balance between brevity and completeness. It is important to review your slides and visual aids to make sure they are clear, consistent, and error-free. Furthermore, you should anticipate and prepare for possible questions or objections from your audience by having answers or counterarguments ready. Finally, you should check the venue, equipment, and logistics of your presentation as well as have a backup plan in case of any technical issues or emergencies.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?