Thursday, January 6, 2011

Finding the right metaphor

The ACRP Wire, the newsletter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, had an interesting article today on a study which looked at how language affects research participant understanding. The metaphors research coordinators use make a difference in participant understanding of concepts such as randomization. A metaphor that described randomization as similar to the flipping of a coin evoked the idea of winning or losing, while comparing randomization to the chance an expectant mother may have a boy or a girl was better understood.

The study points to the importance of effective communication, targeted to the literacy and health literacy of the potential research participants involved.

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