3 Dissemination

Figure 4 Making research findings public: making sure people know

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This is a photo of a loudspeaker system with six loud hailers mounted on a tall tower. Behind this is a wooded landscape.

Figure 4 Making research findings public: making sure people know

Dissemination is an ethical obligation. Researchers have committed to making their findings public as part of their commitment to those involved in their research. However, there is a danger that research is seen as inevitably reported by submitting academic papers to journals or dissertation reports to universities. There might be a sponsor who has also requested a report or even to be kept updated during its progress. However, these reach only particular audiences and only meet certain obligations. As research progresses, if a researcher is serious about making a difference, it is important to keep the full range of potential beneficiaries of the study in mind.