Team 2

Content Genre Researching: Publication summaries (webpages that summarize research publications)

Genre Analysis Research Form

Phase 1 - Collect samples of the genre

(1) https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3083.html

(2) https://www.oclc.org/research/publications/2017/oclcresearch-demystifying-it-shared-understanding.html

(3) http://www.nyisri.org/2020/10/research-summary-leafiness-latitude/

(4) https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/06/24/young-people-exposed-to-an-epidemic-have-less-trust-in-poli
tical-institutions-for-the-rest-of-their-lives/

(5) https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2F1365-2435.13710
&file=fec13710-sup-0001-Summary.pdf
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2435.13710#support-information-section

Phase 2 - Find out where, when, why, and by whom the genre is used

1. Where is the genre published or posted?

Examination of the samples selected for this analysis lead to the conclusion that this genre is published
primarily on the webpages of research organizations, typically under the “publication” or “research”
subsections of the website. One notable exception was the example from The London School of
Economics and Political Science, which took the form of a blog post. Of the five samples surveyed for
this analysis, two were published by university research groups (Cornell University and The London
School of Economics and Political Science), two by non-profit research organizations (Rand
Corporation and OCLC Research), and the fifth was published on The British Ecological Society
website.

2. Why is the genre published or posted (i.e., what is its rhetorical purpose?)

The main rhetorical purpose of this genre is to share key research findings from scientific journals and
publications in an abbreviated fashion to make them easily accessible to the research community,
practitioners in the associated field(s), and the general public. The publications summaries also provide
links to the complete publications so that researchers or stakeholders can reach the full study quickly.
Additional rhetorical purposes include contributing to the betterment of the community, highlighting the
value of the organization’s research for current and/or prospective funders, and enhancing the
organization's credibility/professional image.

3. By whom is the genre written and used/read? Are there any other stakeholders?
 This genre is written primarily by scientists/researchers, but in some cases is created by writers not
connected to the original research or publication. One sample examined was written by a writer/editor
who authored most of the publications summaries listed on that particular research group website,
while another sample was written by researchers in conjunction with an unnamed “blog team.”

Most readers or users of this genre are probably scientists or other members of the research
community. However, the shorter length and plain language commonly found in the sample summaries
suggests that this genre is also designed for consumption by a broader audience such as practitioners
in other disciplines, or interested members of the general public. Since topics of research vary so
widely, a large range of secondary stakeholders exist within this genre including (but not limited to)
university students and faculty, grantmakers and other funders, persons affected by the research
findings or decisions stemming from them, and possibly even non-human entities (i.e., animal or plant
life).

Phase 3 - Research the features of the genre according to 5 categories:

1. Kinds of content in the genre

Kinds of content

Sample 1 -Image (cover of report)

(RAND) -Link to download PDF of full report
-Document details (doi, copyright, pages, year published)
-Research questions (numbered list)
-Key findings (bulleted list)
-Recommendations (bulleted list)
-Outline of table of contents
-Link to citation

Sample 2 -Image (cover of report)

(OCLC) -Link to PDF of full report (when click image) and download links
-Highlights
-Key takeaways (bulleted list)
-Suggested citation

Sample 3 -Citation for publication

(NYISRI) -Overview summary paragraph
-Key takeaways (list)
-Management implications (list)

Sample 4 -Figure of world map (showing people affected by epidemics)

(LSE) -Figures/charts of findings
-Notes after figures
-Photos/short bios of the authors
-Sections detailing method, results, conclusion
-Links to main paper and other sources (within body of text)

Sample 5 -Image of impalas (with description)

(BES) -Summary paragraph detailing method and findings
2. Structure/order of content

Structure/order of content

Sample 1 -Full title of published report

(RAND) -List of editors and contributors
-Opening paragraphs explain the issue and what report is about
-Research questions (on right-hand side)
-Key findings
-Recommendations
-Outline of table of contents

Sample 2 -Full title of published report

(OCLC) -Authors of report
-Highlights (overview of what the report is about)
-Key takeaways
-Link to companion report
-Suggested citation

Sample 3 -Full title of published study

(NYISRI) -Author of the summary (not article)
-Citation of the article (with article authors, doi)
-Summary paragraph (including findings)
-Key takeaways (list)
-Management implications (list)

Sample 4 -Blog article title (which is different from title of publication)

(LSE) -Authors names and photos
-Summary of paper, organized into headings with figures
-Author bios

Sample 5 -Full title of published article

(BES) -List of authors
-One large summary paragraph (covering methods and results)

3. Rhetorical appeals

Rhetorical appeals

Sample 1 Pathos - opening paragraph describes mental health problem

(RAND) Logos - summarizes report findings

Sample 2 Logos - summarizes key takeaways from report

(OCLC)

Sample 3 Logos - explains method and provides quantitative data in summary

(NYISRI) paragraph

Sample 4 Logos - explains method and details findings

(LSE) Ethos - author bios detail professional and research experience

Sample 5 Logos - explains method and study findings

(BES)
 4. Form/design

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5

Elements of Identified as a Identified as a Identified as a No identification Identified as a

form/design “Report” and “Research “Research other than a “Plain Language
consists of a Report” and Summary” and blog post. Summary” with
single webpage. contents all fall has three Readers can a link to a
Buried on site. under “Highlights” sections under infer from the one-page PDF.
Search for heading. headings. content that this Link is located
keywords in the Contained on a Contained on a is a summary. on a webpage.
report title to single webpage. single webpage. Conclusion The purpose of
locate. Three Buried on site. One paragraph stated in the first the study is
introductory Search for under Summary, paragraph, in stated at the top
paragraphs, keywords in the and bulleted lists italics, including in a larger font.
followed by report title to under Key the names of Summary is one
bulleted lists for locate. Two Takeaways and the authors with paragraph with
Key Findings and introductory Management headshots of a single image
Recommendatio paragraphs, Implications. each of them. Authors are
ns. Table of followed by Links to social Main ideas listed between
Contents for bulleted list for media sites on make up the the purpose and
entire publication Key Takeaways. right side. headings for the summary.
is included at the One paragraph of Recent news each section. No bulleted lists.
end. No images supplemental widget in bottom Each section
used. information. right corner with has two - three
Image of links. Buried on paragraphs.
publication cover site. Search for Figures with
included. Also keywords in the captions
used hyperlinks report title to included.
to relevant locate. Moderate use of
publications. links in the text.
Buried on site.
Search for
keywords in the
post title to
locate. Entire
sentences are
lifted
word-for-word
from the body to
the conclusion.

5. Linguistic features

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5

Word count 544 257 400 1469 291

Average 23.5 words 28.1 words 24.6 words 20.9 words 30 words
sentence length

Sentences per 1.5 1.2 1.7 4.0 9.0

paragraph
 Voice: first, Third person Third person Third person First person First person
second, third plural plural
person

Level of jargon Low Very low Very low Low Very low
(technical or
non-technical,
etc.)

Active/passive Active voice Active voice Active voice Active voice Active voice
voice?

Specialized Task-shifting, Archivist, Phenology, Hypothesis, None

words used: motivational archival photosynthesis heterogeneity,
interviewing, median,
psychoeducation coefficient,
, heterogeneity conjecture,
cacophony

Phase 4 - Determine which features are most stable and essential to include in client deliverables

1. Kinds of Content
● At least one image/graphic
● Image caption
● Link to full paper/publication
● Chicago style citation for paper
● Key findings section
● Paragraph that explains research topic/background
● Paragraph that explains methods
● Paragraph that summarizes implications/discussion

2. Structure (order) of Content:

● Plain language title
● Full title of paper (linked to the paper)
● List all authors of publication
● Image (towards top right of page, with caption)
● Brief paragraph of overview/research topic
● Brief paragraph of methods of study
● Key findings (bulleted list of results)
● Brief paragraph of implications/conclusions of research
● Chicago style citation of paper

3. Rhetorical Appeals
Mainly logos, which is conveyed through presentation of study findings. A little bit of ethos by including
author titles (“Dr.”) and citation/link to papers, which prove that they’ve been peer-reviewed/published.

4. Form (design elements)

Each summary will be its own webpage.
● Plain language title (centered)
● Image (near top right, with caption below it)
 ● “Summary of ‘[full title of paper linked to actual paper]’” (left-justified)
● List authors of paper (left-justified)
● Text of summary (300-400 words total) (left-justified)
○ Paragraph of overview/research topic (50-100 words)
○ 1-2 paragraphs of methods of study (50-100 words)
○ Key Findings (bold heading with bulleted list, ~100 words)
○ Paragraph of implications of research/findings (50-100 words)
● Chicago citation of paper (excluding Pyrosome manuscript - not yet published)

5. Linguistic Features
● 300-400 words (not including title, authors, or citation)
● First person (We)
● Written in plain language (define any necessary jargon)
● Active Voice