It is no surprise with over 2 billion users online (stats for 2011), the global distribution of reports and data can be a digital story as opposed to just having printed publications, DVDs, and other formats. We have found that this really needs to be a consideration at the start of the project, where as the data is being collected, conversations take place on how it gets published with the audience and usability in mind. Aside from the benefits of not having a design and print costs that are associated with print publications, there are also benefits such as getting some of the data out early, engaging key audiences at different steps of the data collection and analysis process that is appealing with digital publications.

There are very exciting ways to get data out nowadays, and yes, they do have associated costs. As researchers and analysts, it is no longer possible to distance ourselves from the basic knowledge required for digital publications, which can start with simply attaching pdf documents, publishing simple graphs and amending updates. There are also cost-effective (without enduring the five figure sums), to get the data out in user-friendly formats. Part of the trick lies in using existing avenues and the other part in designing digital dissemination projects that are about reducing complexity without compromising quality and the key messages coming through. The tricks are there and we apply them as much as we can, as often as we can.

If it is about cost effective data dissemination or feedback, please do get in touch and we can talk you through some of the potential solutions.