Assistant professor Hillary Shulman's recent study found that when scientists communicate to the general public using jargon, readers are discouraged and disengaged. This also extends into political contexts.

"We have found that when you use more colloquial language when talking to people about issues like immigration policy, they report more interest in politics, more ability to understand political information and more confidence in their political opinions,” said Shulman.

The study was published in the Public Understanding of Science journal. For more information about the study, read Ohio State News.