Video Abstracts: What They Are and How to Create One
As researchers, we work for years to produce publishable material because research needs to be shared, discussed, and used in order to have relevance and impact. This is true across every discipline, from life-saving medical sciences to in-depth literary analysis. Luckily, as authors, we have more ability to control and support the promotion of our work than ever before, and the proliferation of digital content and social media platforms in recent years allows us to showcase our work to global audiences.
If you’re looking for a new, engaging way to promote your research and reach a wider audience, video abstracts are the innovation you need. Instead of relying solely on written abstracts to capture attention on online platforms, you can share your study through a video highlighting your key findings and methods. It is a more personal, attention-grabbing way to present your work. With researchers spending more time online than ever, this could give your paper the boost in visibility it needs! Additionally, a video abstract allows you to show, not just tell, which can make all the difference in engagement. Let’s dive into how creating one can help amplify your research.
THE ADVANTAGES
Here are some key benefits of creating a video abstract for your research article:
Broaden Your Audience: Reach a more diverse group of viewers, including those outside your specific academic field, who may not typically read lengthy journal articles.
Increased Visibility: Video abstracts boost your online presence, making your research more discoverable through social media platforms.
Highlight Key Findings: Quickly summarise your most important discoveries in a concise, 3-minute format that appeals to busy researchers or general audiences who may not have the time to read the full article.
Enhanced Accessibility: For those who may struggle with reading lengthy technical articles or who prefer visual learning, video abstracts provide an alternative.
Increased Citations: Making your work more visible and accessible increases the chance of being cited.
KNE CLUE: STEPS TO MAKE A VIDEO ABSTRACT
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN RECORDING A VIDEO ABSTRACT
While video abstracts can increase engagement from a broader audience due to their format, it is important to still think about the overall quality and impact of the video abstract. Your goal is to ensure that audiences will watch your video in its entirety, go on to read your paper and share your work with others in your field.
If slides and images are used, remember to get copyright permission for reproduction in a video. Even if you use these items in your article, your copyright might only cover the published article and not extend to video!
Make sure you have an adequate light source in front of you if you are recording yourself speaking. Backlighting will result in a dark silhouette.
If possible, avoid reading from a text. The audience will be more responsive if you look straight at the camera and engage directly with them. A nice tip is to have the text extra large, double spaced on the screen – so you can subtly scroll down while seeming to look directly at your computer’s camera.
Try to avoid simply repeating the abstract word-for-word. The video is supposed to be chattier, and more relaxed – a chance to present a different view of your research and attract a different audience – who might not respond to the formal outlines of the academic abstract
Aim for a more personal and informal approach. This is your chance to speak directly to your audience about your work and offer a personal explanation of your findings.