Plain Language Summary (PLS) – study results Plain Language Summary (PLS) – study results
The results of a research study that are written to be easily understood.
Example of Plain Language Summary (PLS) – study results in a sentence
A Plain Language Summary may be provided after all the participants have completed the study and the results have been finalized.
More Info
There are different types of Plain Language Summaries (PLS) about research. Most often, the term “PLS” refers to the reporting of study results. Outside of the United States (US), PLS are known as “lay summaries.”
PLS of study results can help everyone better understand the findings of a research study. PLS are shorter than articles that are published in medical journals and use language that is less complex.
Certain countries and regions require PLS of study results. For example, countries in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area require them. In the EU, PLS of study results are published on a public-facing portal.
In the US, PLS of study results are a best practice, and some researchers offer them to participants after the study.
Sponsors sometimes make PLS available on their own company or research center website. Some sponsors may also place their PLS on a centralized website like www.trialsummaries.com.
Other types of PLS can describe the protocol in simpler language or the journal article where the study results are published.
Other info to think about when joining a study
If you are a participant in a study, or considering joining a study, you can ask the study team if they plan to share a Plain Language Summary of the results after the study is over, and how you can access it. This lets the study team know that you and other participants are interested in getting results.
Besides summary results, you can also ask if you and your regular doctors outside the study will be able to get any personal-level data and results that the researchers collect during the study.
