Research Outputs

Innovative components

This was the first step on the initiative of using storylines to communicate scientific outputs in a way that is more accessible. The style and level of detail were not fixed at the outset of this initiatve. Via 20 interviews with representatives of research and practice, we identified important attributes for what a storyline needs to be (potentially) useful. Thereby, we presented a preliminary and exploratory example in a workshop with 14 participants that were interested and/or related with RiverCare research.

Implication for practice

Researchers and practitioners were positive about the idea of using storylines and suggested to combine them with facts. For the relevance and trustworthiness of the communication, it is important to make explicit both benefits and limitations. Participants to the workshop highlighted the importance of visuals such as images, interactive figures and timelines to illustrate the research context. A glossary of terms might be necessary to clarify specific terms.

Video of the first and exploratory example that was discussed with participants. (Source: Supplementary material Cortes et al. 2018)

Journal publication

Cortes Arevalo, V. J., Verbrugge, L. N. H., Haan, R.-J. den, Baart, F., van der Voort, M. C., & Hulscher, S. J. M. H. (2018). Users’ Perspectives About the Potential Usefulness of Online Storylines to Communicate River Research to a Multi-disciplinary Audience. Environmental Communication, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2018.1504098

Replication dataset

Data associated with this publication were provided as supplementary material. Other interview collected data and transcripts have restricted access in a research data repository to protect the privacy of participants.