Recently, Cochrane launched ‘Choosing images for sharing evidence: a guide’. This resource aims to help anyone who needs to choose images for a dissemination product based on any Cochrane Review as well as anyone choosing images for other materials such as different types of research, news items, reports, surveys, or social media posts.

Careful image selection is important. Images can influence what people know, feel and do and they are an important part of dissemination products. A well-chosen image can serve many useful functions. If you use good, relatable images you can stimulate interest from your target audience, and they will know quickly if your information is relevant to them. The images we choose have the potential to reinforce the message that Cochrane is a trustworthy source of reliable information to support health decisions, but they can also undermine our credibility, misinform, and put people off.

These videos, originally part of the Cochrane Learning Live webinar series, give an overview of the new Cochrane guidance for choosing images. The webinar session aimed to provide an opportunity for people to reflect on the challenges of image selection and to give practical advice around image selection to help people improve their dissemination products. The session was intended for all interested people, but will be of particular interest to those involved in choosing images to share alongside Cochrane evidence, or choosing images for other products (for example, news items on Cochrane websites).

The webinar was delivered in February 2021 and below you will find the videos from the webinar, together with accompanying slides to download [PDF].

Part 1: About the guide and an introduction to choosing images
Part 2: More on choosing the right images

Presenter Bios

Sarah Chapman and Selena Ryan-Vig's work as Knowledge Brokers at Cochrane UK focuses on disseminating Cochrane evidence through social media, including Evidently Cochrane blogs and blogshots, with a particular interest in making evidence quick and easy for patients and others making health choices, and healthcare professionals, to understand and use.

Part 1: About the guide and an introduction to choosing images

Part 2: More on choosing the right images

Additional materials

Download the slides from the webinar [PDF]

Download the notes from the webinar [PDF]

Read more about choosing the right dissemination product for your audience and download the guide here.