Objectives:

The Plain Language Summary (PLS) is arguably the most visible part of a Cochrane Review. It is written in a style that the general public can understand and it is freely available globally. Due to both readability and accessibility it is often reproduced in the press, and in newsletters and websites. In response to the need for better PLS, the PLEACS (Plain Language Expectations for Authors of Cochrane Summaries) initiative, a sister group of the MECIR project, was established to improve the reporting standards for PLS. The PLEACS standards are designed to ensure that review findings are consistently and clearly presented in a standard format throughout The Cochrane Library.

Description:

Participants will have the opportunity to examine the PLS standards developed through the PLEACS initiative. The workshop will discuss a selection of core PLEACS recommendations and offer attendees the opportunity to provide feedback on implementation of the standards using examples from existing PLS. The session will provide clear guidance on producing standardized PLS.