Academic journals are essential resources for anyone involved in research and higher education. However, their dense language, complex concepts, and sometimes overwhelming presentation can make them difficult to access for many students. Accessibility isn’t just about readability; it’s about ensuring that information is understandable and engaging for all. Here’s our 4 essential tips on how to make academic content accessible, and how student’s would benefit.
1. Include a Concise Summary
Academic Journals should include a concise summary at the beginning of each article – a brief, straightforward overview of the main points, findings, and conclusions of the paper. For students, this allows you to quickly grasp the essence of the research without getting lost in the details. This should be different to an abstract, while an abstract typically has jargon and technical language this should be simple and straight forward. It’s the elevator pitch of your research, designed to give readers a clear understanding of what the article is about in just a few sentences.
For students who get overwhelmed by large blocks of text, start with the summary or abstract. This will help you determine whether the article is relevant to your research and worth delving into further.
2. Use Clear Language
One of the biggest barriers to accessibility in academic journals is the use of overly complex language. While technical terms are sometimes necessary, they should be used sparingly and always be well-defined. Clear, straightforward language not only makes the text more accessible to non-experts but also ensures that the research can be understood by a broader audience. If you’re unsure of the language used in papers, be sure to research the meanings and include them in annotations to help with further reading. Researchers should aim to include simplified meanings of technical language in reports and articles.
3. Add Text to Images
Images, graphs, and charts are common in academic journals, but they can sometimes be inaccessible to readers with visual impairments or those who struggle with interpreting visual data. Adding descriptive text to these images (often called alt text) ensures that everyone can understand the information being conveyed. This text should describe what the image shows and explain its significance in the context of the article. When using images in your assignments or presentations, always include a caption or alt text. This makes you work accessible and helps to normal accessible practises.
4. Add Text to Images
The choice of font can significantly impact the readability of an academic journal. Fonts that are widely spaced and easy to read, such as Arial or Verdana, are often recommended for accessibility. These fonts reduce eye strain and make it easier for readers with dyslexia or other reading difficulties to process the text.
Making academic journals more accessible benefits everyone—students, researchers, and the broader academic community. By incorporating concise summaries, using clear language, adding descriptive text to images, and choosing appropriate fonts, we can ensure that the wealth of knowledge contained in these journals is available to all. Accessibility isn’t a tick box, but a continuous developing practise. Software such as Tailo can aid students by changing the font, readability, and spacing of text – as well as providing a clear summary where one isn’t given. We can fill in the gaps where accessibility is currently lacking in academic practises.
Tailo is currently available to university students in the UK who recieve the Disabled Students Allowance. Learn more here.