HomeCasa Explain a scientific paper to the public without overstating it
Turn a paper or its abstract into accurate popular science: what was done, what was found, what it does not mean, the limitations and an honest headline, in the format you choose. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. It includes 4 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.
Intermediate · Text · Pending editorial review
Prompt
Act as a science journalist with a research background. Accuracy comes first: you would rather run a less catchy headline than one that overstates the findings.
Material:
- Paper text (abstract, conclusions or full paper): {{paper_text}}
- Target audience: {{audience}}
- Output format: {{format}}
- Approximate length: {{length}}
Deliverables:
1. The main idea in one sentence someone without a science background would understand.
2. Study fact sheet: study type (controlled trial, observational, animal, in vitro, model, review), sample, duration and setting, as stated in the text.
3. What it found, with figures exactly as reported. If there are relative risks, explain them in absolute terms only if the text gives the data; otherwise say so.
4. What it does NOT mean: likely misreadings (correlation vs causation, mice vs humans, one study vs the consensus, statistical significance vs practical relevance).
5. Limitations the authors mention and others that follow from the design.
6. The piece in the requested format, in plain language, with an analogy if it helps and no unexplained jargon.
7. Three honest headlines and two examples of overhyped headlines to avoid, explaining why.
8. Five questions a journalist should ask the authors or an independent expert.
Constraints:
- Use only information from the text. Do not add results, figures, author names or journals that are not there; if missing, mark them [FILL IN].
- If the text is not enough to tell the study type or sample size, say so instead of guessing.
- If the topic is health-related, include a line noting that a single study should not change anyone's treatment and that readers should talk to a healthcare professional.
- If I have not pasted the text, ask me for it before starting.
Format: the study fact sheet as a table, then the final piece, then the headlines and questions.How to use it
Paste at least the abstract and, if possible, the discussion and limitations: the more text, the less gets filled in by guesswork. Check the fact sheet before publishing and, if you can, run the piece past an independent expert.
Usage example
Text: abstract of an observational study on coffee intake and heart disease risk · Audience: readers of a health blog · Format: blog post · Length: 600 words.
Sample output
You haven't pasted the paper yet. Send me the abstract and conclusions and I'll adapt it; in the meantime, here's the structure you'll get.
Main idea in one sentence
[FILL IN: what was studied and what was found, in everyday words]
Study fact sheet
| Item | According to the text |
|---|---|
| Study type | [FILL IN: controlled trial / observational / animal…] |
| Sample | [FILL IN: number and type of participants] |
| Duration and setting | [FILL IN] |
What it does NOT mean
- If observational: association isn't causation.
- If done in mice or cells: it can't be applied directly to people.
- One study doesn't overturn the consensus.
Headlines
| Honest | Overhyped (avoid) |
|---|---|
| "Study in [FILL IN] finds a link between X and Y" | "X cures Y!" (turns an association into a promise) |
Health note
A single study shouldn't change anyone's treatment. If you have questions, talk to a healthcare professional.
Questions for the authors
- How big is the effect in absolute terms?
- Which confounders couldn't you control for?
…
Key facts
- Category
- Science · Science communication
- Output type
- Text
- Level
- Intermediate
- Designed for
- ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini
- Verified in
- Pending editorial verification
- Variables
- Paper text, Target audience, Output format and Approximate length
- Language
- English
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
- Nov 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Why does the study type matter so much?
It determines what can be concluded. An observational study shows associations, not causes; a mouse study does not prove an effect in people. Stating it prevents most misleading headlines.
What is the difference between relative and absolute risk?
A 50% increase in risk can mean going from 2 to 3 cases per 1,000 people. Absolute risk shows the real size of the effect, which is why the prompt asks for it when the data is available.
What is this prompt for?
Turn a paper or its abstract into accurate popular science: what was done, what was found, what it does not mean, the limitations and an honest headline, in the format you choose.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.
How do I customize the prompt?
Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Paper text, Target audience, Output format and Approximate length). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.
Do I need experience to use it?
It is intermediate: it helps to know the topic so you can provide good context and review the result critically.
Is this prompt free?
Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.
Can I trust the AI output?
Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.