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Assessing readability formula differences with written health information materials: application, results, and
Lih-Wern Wang1, Michael J Miller, Michael R Schmitt
1College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma, 4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA.
Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy : RSAP
|July 28, 2012
Summary
The Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability formula is most consistent for health information. Reporting methods for reading grade level estimates should include sample size and calculation details for better interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Health literacy
- Medical writing
- Health communication
Background:
- Readability formulas guide health information development but yield variable results.
- Inconsistent application and interpretation complicate reading grade level estimates.
- Lack of uniform guidelines hinders effective use of readability formulas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify common readability formulas in healthcare literature.
- Apply and compare formulas to health information on depression.
- Provide recommendations for selecting appropriate readability formulas.
Main Methods:
- Literature search for prevalent readability formulas.
- Applied selected formulas to 15 health information texts on depression.
- Compared formula estimates based on text sample, formatting, and calculation methods.
Main Results:
- Flesch-Kincaid was the most used formula (57.42%).
- Readability formulas showed up to 5 grade level variability on identical texts.
- The Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) demonstrated the most consistency.
Conclusions:
- SMOG formula is recommended for healthcare due to consistency and ease of use.
- Reporting should include sample size, text location, formatting, and calculation method.
- Standardized reporting improves readability interpretation for health materials.
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