@article {Bj{\o}rn263, author = {E Bj{\o}rn and P Rossel and S Holm}, title = {Can the written information to research subjects be improved?--an empirical study.}, volume = {25}, number = {3}, pages = {263--267}, year = {1999}, doi = {10.1136/jme.25.3.263}, publisher = {Institute of Medical Ethics}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To study whether linguistic analysis and changes in information leaflets can improve readability and understanding. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled study. Two information leaflets concerned with trials of drugs for conditions/diseases which are commonly known were modified, and the original was tested against the revised version. SETTING: Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 235 persons in the relevant age groups. MAIN MEASURES: Readability and understanding of contents. RESULTS: Both readability and understanding of contents was improved: readability with regard to both information leaflets and understanding with regard to one of the leaflets. CONCLUSION: The results show that both readability and understanding can be improved by increased attention to the linguistic features of the information.}, issn = {0306-6800}, URL = {https://jme.bmj.com/content/25/3/263}, eprint = {https://jme.bmj.com/content/25/3/263.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Medical Ethics} }