Posted by susan C on November 4, 2001, at 12:03:13
In reply to Re: New informed consent procedure, posted by Dr. Bob on October 25, 2001, at 8:25:39
Dear Dr Dash Bob,
Ok, you got me to respond. I think I have found something, a perspective that has not yet been directly addressed.
Educational level, ie reading level. I was and still am particularly impressed with the intelligence level represented by the posters on this board. Their command of the english language shows advanced training and some posters disclose their professions. In general, when someone posts, they address their response to the level of the question. Sometimes not, as when a question is answered simply by a reference. Many a time I have ended up in the middle of a research paper totally lost because I have no clue as to some even fundamental science of how the brain works.
Now, I am getting off track. My comment about your 'quiz' is the language. I agree it could be simpler in format, but it could also be simpler in language.
The average reading level in the USA is about 5th grade, which is the level that newspapers and the Readers Digest is written. 25 million people, mostly males, have a reading level of less than third grade (I have done some volunteer work in literacy). Add to that English As A Second Language. This does not mean these people do not have access to the internet...
IMHO, unless you state that part of the goal of your research is to limit the participation to people who have college degrees or the equivilant, I would encourage you to simplify your language.
For those of us who have 'survived and thrived' in the academic environment, sometimes we don't see these things. I hope that clarifed something.
'you can't please all the people all the time'
mouse
susan C
poster:susan C
thread:315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2273.html