Journals and other scientific organizations produce a diverse variety of plain-language summaries.

A growing number of research journals, scientific societies, medical charities and other organizations are publishing summaries of research papers and proposals that explain their content in plain language.

After summarizing over 2,400 articles in plain language, the eLife Features team shares what it has learnt about writing and editing for a broad audience.

Biomedical science benefits when plain language allows patients to engage with all stages of the research process.

More could be done to make research papers readily understandable by the public.