If you have any questions please talk to the patients
The „Australian Method”, which is referenced by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for readability testing was developed by Prof. David Sless, Director of the Communication Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. Veronika Egger, managing director of is-design is Life Fellow of the Communication Research Institute.
The method is also called „diagnostic testing”and, as the name suggests, concerned with finding out what is wrong with a document.
is-design has been using this method for many years – whenever comprehension of printed information is essential.
„This method is fundamental to our work with visual, two-dimensional information.
It clearly demonstrates when and how text and graphics are difficult to understand.
It highlights the problems and indicates where an improvement would be most effective” says Veronika Egger.
Readability testing in a nutshell
1. Diagnostic testing is an extremely efficient qualitative method.
Even after interviewing just a few participants it is possible to point out where the document needs to be improved.
2. Appropriately designed questions: The interview is no exam, it should be comprised of questions that occur to someone using the medicine.
3. The quality of this method lies in the human touch. What are the comments from participants whilst searching for an answer?
Where do uncertainties arise, where and how do people locate the information, what is their answer?
The dialogue between interviewer and participant gives a more complete picture than just the answer to a question.
Where?
Interviews take place in the offices of is-design in the 12th district in Vienna:
Wilhelmstraße 26/5-6, 1120 Wien
The location is easily accessible by public transport. It's close to the U6 Station "Philadelphiabrücke" (exit Bahnhof Meidling), also reached by tram Nr. 62 and bus Nr. 59A.
Location map is-design