Title: Communicating Scholarly Information to the Adolescent Audience
Name: Jami Miller
Primary Presenters: Jami Miller and Connor Claus
College of Health Sciences
Clinical Doctorate
Faculty Sponsor(s): Tamara Miller, PT, PhD
Title: Communicating Scholarly Information to the Adolescent Audience
Background: Adolescents tend to be very comfortable utilizing electronic devices and platforms, therefore online journals offer an ideal way to inform adolescents about scholarly information and engage them in the publication process. However authors may not be aware of this audience and researchers may not feel prepared to describe their work in an adolescent-friendly format.
Aim: This project describes the process of developing a scholarly manuscript for an online journal geared to adolescent readers and reviewed by adolescent reviewers.
Methods: The writing process involves: (1) Identify journals for adolescents and corresponding author guidelines; (2) Acquire and summarize current literature pertaining to the effects of organized sports participation on adolescents; (3) Research and utilize tenets of writing for adolescents; (4) Acquire and incorporate information from motivation literature.
Results: The final product is a manuscript that summarizes scholarly research pertaining to physical and social-emotional benefits for adolescents participating in organized sports. The manuscript is entitled, “Being in organized sports now can make your future self stronger and more confident!”. The manuscript incorporates adolescent-friendly writing techniques: dividing the manuscript into section to promote compartmentalization of the information; piquing interest by using novel words and repeating these words to promote learning; writing in a lively way to engage the adolescent reader. A developmentally appropriate external locus of causality was utilized when the manuscript suggests the reader take action.
Conclusion: Online journals are an accessible form of communication to inform adolescents about important scientific findings. To achieve this purpose the author must adapt their writing style, and incorporate developmentally appropriate practices. Communicating effectively to younger audiences will promote healthy habits in adolescence and extend into adulthood. Additionally, techniques utilized in writing can also be applied during verbal instruction and education in the clinic.
Word Count: 288
I am curious if maybe even adults would have better retention after reading something that is written using the tenets you used for adolescents? I can see myself using this approach with a variety of audiences, not just for the adolescent audience.
Connor and Jami, I am a science mentor and have supervised the review of about a half dozen manuscripts. I work with a slightly younger group (9-11 year olds). It is exciting to watch them review a paper – they are tough! They love the idea that authors have to respond to their comments and in every case the young reviewers’ comments made the manuscript much better. The biggest problem I have seen is that scientists write papers using techniques appropriate for a scientific audience of their peers rather than the tenets you described. I hope you enjoyed the process!
This was very nicely done Connor and Jami! As Connor was in my peer group, it was fun to see the final project. I think this is super interesting information and you guys did a great job presenting it. I also think your poster was really effective and easy to follow!