Keeping it Short and Sweet: An Intro to Short Communications
Dr. Anjali Mediboina
Graduate, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences
Brief communications, sometimes referred to as brief reports, are concise scientific papers that effectively and succinctly present fresh findings, early research findings, or innovative techniques. They basically highlight one significant discovery or a proof of concept and offer vital insights without going into the detail of a full research piece. In order to convey powerful concepts in a timely and effective manner, these are typically constrained in terms of word count, figures, and references.
Effective and precise communication skills are just as crucial in the field of research as the actual findings. Gaining proficiency in brief communications gives you the ability to quickly share the most important findings from your work, connect with a larger audience, and establish your authority in your industry.
For fresh researchers, writing brief communications is ideal since it allows one to convey the key findings without the stress of writing a complete research paper. Furthermore, they are concise, time-efficient, and allow one to have a publication to their name!
Things to Keep in Mind While Writing Brief Communications:
- Understand the Structure: Familiarize yourself with the format—typically an introduction, methods, results, and discussion, each brief and to the point.
- Focus on the Novelty: Clearly highlight what is new or unique about your work. Avoid unnecessary details; instead, emphasize the value of your finding.
- Practice Conciseness: Limit the text to essential points. Use simple, direct language and avoid jargon.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
● Overloading with Data: Only the core findings should be highlighted.
● Complex Language: Simplicity is critical; using complex jargon can obscure the findings and reduce accessibility.
● Neglecting the Story: Even in short formats, it’s essential to have a clear narrative arc that takes readers through the significance of the findings.
So how can one go about it?
● Look for Gaps in Existing Literature: Is there a quick observation or insight that could fill a knowledge gap?
● Single, Key Insight: If you have one major finding that doesn’t warrant a full-length article, consider it for a short communication.
● Stay Updated with Journals: Knowing which journals in your field accept short communications and their specific criteria can help you spot and seize publication opportunities.
In order to get a clearer picture, here are some brief reports that I really enjoyed reading:
1. Odei BC, Herrera S, Huang C, Griffith KA, Bae J, Lastra AZ, Jagsi R. Portrayal of Women as Physicians in Movies, 1990-2020. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2023 Oct 1;183(10):1168-70. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2808651
2. Sun Y, Li Y, Bao Y, Meng S, Sun Y, Schumann G, Kosten T, Strang J, Lu L, Shi J. Brief report: increased addictive internet and substance use behavior during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China. The American journal on addictions. 2020 Jul;29(4):268-70. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajad.13066
3. Johnson SB, Parsons M, Dorff T, Moran MS, Ward JH, Cohen SA, Akerley W, Bauman J, Hubbard J, Spratt DE, Bylund CL. Cancer misinformation and harmful information on Facebook and other social media: a brief report. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2022 Jul 1;114(7):1036-9. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/114/7/1036/6323231
4. Shields A, Nock MR, Ly S, Manjaly P, Mostaghimi A, Barbieri JS. Evaluation of stigma toward individuals with acne. JAMA dermatology. 2024 Jan 1;160(1):93-8. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2812215
Embrace the challenge of crafting clear, powerful messages in limited words, and you’ll find yourself more confident and versatile in all forms of scientific communication. After all, a single impactful short communication can open doors, inspire new ideas, and make a lasting mark in the scientific community.
Image sources-
Image 1 – Illustration: Nick Lowndes
Image 2 – Illustration by Robert Neubecker
