Back
Researchers August 18, 2020
Ways in Which Graphically Illustrating Your Research Actually Helps Scholarship
Source: Pixabay

Making an impact is the ultimate goal of the research, and how much of an impact their work makes is part of what determines a scholar’s reputation. In order to generate a long-term impact, the research outcome needs to be received by and affect a large audience. The problem with that goal is that a scholar’s submission to a publishing medium is required to be in the form of academic writing. Most general audiences turn away from reading anything in an academic language, so scholars need to learn how to adjust to balance these expectations.

One way many academics are meeting this need is to include visual aids in their final submissions. Infographics are popular, but they only tell a small snippet of the information in ways that showcase data. But graphic illustrations are becoming another trend as researchers make these visual storytelling mediums part of their regular submissions to encourage readers to take an interest in their work and learn more about the topic of their research, driving a longer-term, wider impact.

What are Graphic Illustrations?

Correlating science and art together has always been rare. Most people see these two subjects and polar opposites on the spectrum of academics. But when you combine your scientific outcomes with illustrations that support and explain them, you can impact an entirely new audience.

Graphic illustration in research uses visual compositions to communicate the scholar’s findings in ways that don’t require many, if any, words in order for the reader to interpret them. Graphic illustration, or design, begins and ends with the intent of getting a point or idea across to the target audience.

Why Do Graphic Illustrations Attract More Readers?

An important area of science to learn as a researcher looking to make an impact is the psychology of human behavior. Studies have shown that when something is visual, it engages the brain more, creating cues that aid the mind in retrieving and remembering ideas and information. Visual learning is based on the science that the brain is a processor of most sensory details in the form of images rather than words.

Since words are difficult for the brain to retain, being abstract, research journals and articles require more concentration and skill to be understood. This limits the audience to a specialized field of readers. But with graphic illustrations, the ideas become concrete visuals that are more clearly retained by the brain.

The Effect of Visuals on a Research Paper’s Impact

Graphic illustrations are not the only type of tool that a researcher can use to enhance their findings. Many other visual representations can be used, such as photos, symbols, concept maps, charts, tables, icons, sketches, logos, and more.

Companies understand the importance of this when they create their brand. Some of the most well-known products and businesses are recognized almost as much by their visual logo as the name themselves, like Nike, Starbucks, and Target.

Using graphic illustrations to boost your research’s audience has multiple effects, including:

●      Creating a concrete way to represent the people or ideas in your research and making these elements more impactful to your audience

●      Opening the world of academic science and research up to a wider range of people, allowing for more understanding outside of the specialized audience and giving access to these ideas to those who might otherwise not have been exposed to them

●      Using non-verbal mediums to engage readers by teaching concepts in innovative ways

●      Allowing the researcher the opportunity to be creative, which opens up a different part of the brain that is often minimized in the world of scientific experimentation based on evidence and logic

All of these advantages to graphic illustration with research are important, and each of them works together to contribute to a higher overall scholarship.

Impactio Combines Words and Visuals for Maximum Effect

It can take a lot of time to put together an academic profile when you have the wrong software. Impactio was designed for academic experts to be the one-stop tool for everything they need to compile and finalize their work, so it makes all the hard work easy! This frees you up to do the important things, like research your next project and design your visuals to make a maximum impact on your audience.

When you’re ready to put your findings together and combine visuals and text for your academic impact, use Impactio to help you get the job done.

Tags Graphic IllustrationsScholarly ReputationResearch Impact
About the author
Jason Collins- Writer
Jason is a writer for many niche brands with experience “bringing stories to life” for both startups and corporate partners.
Jason Collins
Writer
Jason is a writer for many niche brands with experience “bringing stories to life” for both startups and corporate partners.
Related Articles