Shifting Paradigms to Make Your Point

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a 3D model worth? Seemingly, quite a bit more given the release and hype around NIH's new 3D print exchange. The NIH is offering an array of 3D models to the public and to other researchers who wish to use them to advance their health goals. Learn more about the exchange (find the article under Other Collaboration Tools). The NIH sees these 3D models as an opportunity for researchers to collaborate, but also to better communicate with each other and the public about the importance of their research.

These 3D models have a collaborative and explanatory power that goes far beyond that of the written word. So, as researchers who are constantly trying to show the importance of our research and illustrate the impact of that research, can we use a paradigm shift in our communication to get the point across?

Certainly, when it comes to convincing grant reviewers of the importance of your work, we are still far away from seeing an agency that will accept a 3D model as a grant attachment, but nevertheless, knowing how to use different forms to more effectively explain your work not only brings people into your sphere of understanding and influence, but it shows you new ways to think about and explain your work. Below I outline some paradigm shifting approaches to conveying the importance of your work more effectively.

Props
I once heard a researcher tell how he made a point to carry a small piece of a telescope that he had invented around in his pocket. This part had a profound impact on what the telescope in question was able to do. This researcher would pull out the part any time he needed to explain what he did to people, and this resulted eventually in a large amount of funding when he pulled out the piece to describe his research to potential investors. The idea of using a prop is easily dismissed by many researchers, because they haven't invented a small piece of something that they can use to draw folks in. But, might you have a small model that you could use to show someone what you're doing? Or even on the more gimmicky side, do you have something small and tangible that can remind people of what you're doing, for instance a prescription pill bottle with a price tag on it if you're researching the economic viability of health programs and prescription drugs? You may need to put up with a couple of smirks when you pull out your prop, but you can rest assured that those smirkers will later remember who you are and what you're researching.

Visuals
Most folks would rather see a visual of something than read a paragraph on it, but so often we see visuals used to distract from an explanation rather than enhance it. Just think about those blinking icons we see in PowerPoints or those diagrams within grant proposals that are just small enough that you can't read the key and are thus left guessing about what it's showing you. I believe I've shared this already, but it's worth noting that recently we heard from one long-time grant reviewer that he had never seen a successful grant that did not have a conceptual diagram of the project in the introductory overview. In cases like this, you really can't afford not to include an intuitive, professional, and readable visual in your grant!

Mind maps/Logic models
Using a mind map or a logic model to clearly layout your project and goals is an effective way to illustrate your projects and its connections to goals and project impacts. You can learn more about mind maps at our past blog: Using Mind Mapping. Logic models are the table form of mind maps, and they also make connections between, inputs, activities, and outcomes. Learn more about logic models.

Metaphors
Often when explaining complicated research, you see your audience's eyes glaze over with your first big, technical jargon word, but what you're talking about is exciting! Using a metaphor to convey a process or significance can often be a better starting place, especially for a lay audience, but don't underestimate your fellow expert's appreciation of a good metaphor either! For example, if you research bilingual education policy, you begin your spiel with, imagine you get a new job and on your first day in the office, you realize that everyone seems to have a code that you don't have. You can't get into your office without the code, you can't find the bathroom, and what's worse, your new colleagues and boss will not engage with you until you use this code first. Now imagine the parallels for a student who is trying acquire a second language in a new educational environment... You might also consider short personal interest stories or concrete statistics that show the need for your research at the beginning of your talk or grant overview.

These tools may feel uncomfortable to use, but as always, as you consider your audience and what's in it for them and what's more engaging for them, sometimes a paradigm shift can be well worth the effort and initial discomfort.

Resources:
NIH 3D Print Exchange for Researchers (find the article under Other Collaboration Tools)
Using Mind Mapping - ORDE blog
Logic Models - University of Wisconsin - Extension