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Journal of Medical Ethics logoLink to Journal of Medical Ethics
. 1999 Jun;25(3):263–267. doi: 10.1136/jme.25.3.263

Can the written information to research subjects be improved?--an empirical study.

E Bjørn 1, P Rossel 1, S Holm 1
PMCID: PMC479221  PMID: 10390684

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.

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Selected References

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