The role of graphical abstracts in scientific publishing

The word of science moves fast, and no one understands this better than researchers. And for them keeping up with the latest developments can at times feel overwhelming. With an ever-growing influx of published papers, sifting through them can be challenging. That’s where graphical abstracts come in – they distill a study’s core findings into an easy-to-understand format, making complex research more accessible while saving valuable time. 

What was once considered a niche addition, graphical abstracts have gained popularity over the years. In a review article, The Current State of Graphical Abstracts and How to Create Good Graphical Abstracts, published in Science Editing, authors Jieun Lee and Jeong-Ju Yoo explore this trend in research publishing. They highlight the value of graphical abstracts in enhancing research communication and share practical tips for creating effective ones. Here are the key takeaways from their article. 

The influence of graphical abstracts 

A good graphical abstract offers an impactful and engaging visual summary that encapsulates the essence of a study using images, diagrams, and simple text. Lee and Yoo’s review article underscores that visual abstracts help simplify complex research, improve research dissemination, and attract a wider audience, considering people generally tend to process images faster than text. 

GAs were adopted by journals in 2011, starting with chemistry journals. By 2016, they entered medical journals, with Annals of Surgery being the first to publish them. Graphical abstracts have since become more common in research publishing. The authors point to a 2017 study by Yoon et al., which found that from 2011 to 2015, the number of journals adopting graphical abstracts jumped by 350%. This trend is also growing in Korea. In Korea, the Journal of Korean Medical Science led the way, and now over 10 medical journals from Korea have embraced them in a span of just two years. 

Graphical abstracts enhance research visibility, with studies showing they boost online engagement and may contribute to higher citations. A 2017 study found that tweets with graphical abstracts increased study dissemination by 7.7 times, while 2022 research showed that top gastroenterology journals saw higher citation rates and impact factors after adopting them. Although they may not directly drive citations, their role in increasing engagement is clear. Authors Lee and Yoo highlight that for researchers looking to make their research stand out, mastering the art of the graphical abstract is an essential skill. 

The art of creating graphical abstracts 

The review article also offers tips and insights for creating effective graphical abstracts, which is especially valuable for those new to the concept. 

Target audience: Understanding the target audience is essential when designing a graphical abstract. For the general public, they should be simple, visually appealing, and free of jargon, while aimed at fellow researchers, they can include more technical details. The authors make an interesting note that even though the use of graphical abstracts can be linked to rise of social media, which is primarily used by the general public, a study showed that graphical abstracts primarily engage professionals rather than the general public. 

Different formats: The article explores different formats for graphical abstracts, emphasizing that the choice should be based on the study design and intended audience. Conceptual diagrams help explain complex findings, flowcharts illustrate processes, and infographics blend visuals and text for clarity. Iconographic abstracts use simple icons to reach broader audiences, while photograph-based formats suit fields like medicine and biology. The review also highlights common formats in medical journals, such as Elsevier’s three-column layout for cohort studies and the New England Journal of Medicine’s two-stage flowchart for randomized controlled trials. For review and experimental papers, a more flexible approach is often preferred. It is recommended for researchers to explore graphical abstracts published in papers within their field to select the most effective format. 

Preparing graphical abstracts: The article emphasizes that the graphic abstract should concentrate on highlighting the core findings of your research, avoiding an overload of information that could confuse the viewer. It is essential to select an appropriate visual format that aligns with your research's nature, which can include diagrams, flowcharts, or detailed illustrations, while also exploring existing examples for inspiration. Simplicity and clarity are key, enabling the graphical abstract to provide a quick visual overview without excessive text, ensuring that it is easily understood at a glance. Finally, the article stresses the need for iterative improvement through feedback from peers, which can help refine the graphical abstract and better reflect the research's intent and findings. 

The article also highlights some handy tools that make creating graphical abstracts more accessible, even for researchers without graphic design experience. Platforms like Microsoft PowerPoint, Mind the Graph, BioRender, and Canva offer user-friendly options for designing visuals with ease. And for those who prefer a more refined touch, collaborating with a graphic designer can help transform ideas into a polished scientific illustration. 

Beyond challenges: Looking to the future of graphical abstracts 

The authors acknowledge that while graphical abstracts are becoming popular, they have limitations. Ongoing debates question their effectiveness in improving journal impact and citations. Critics point out that graphical abstracts can sometimes be unclear or overly complex, failing to convey key study findings. Additionally, not all studies can be visually represented, making graphical abstracts unnecessary in some cases. There is also no universal standard for graphical abstracts, resulting in inconsistent formats and content. Furthermore, creating high-quality graphical abstracts can be time-consuming and costly, requiring design expertise and specialized tools. 

However, as more journals adopt graphical abstracts, authors are optimistic about their potential. They note trends like interactive and animated versions that could enhance research accessibility. Additionally, AI tools may simplify creating graphical abstracts, making them more available to researchers. These innovations could boost engagement by providing a more dynamic way to present findings, helping researchers communicate effectively in a visually oriented academic environment.