RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Can the written information to research subjects be improved?--an empirical study.
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 263
OP 267
DO 10.1136/jme.25.3.263
VO 25
IS 3
A1 E Bjørn
A1 P Rossel
A1 S Holm
YR 1999
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/25/3/263.abstract
AB 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.