Topic: Organization
Item 8: The material breaks or "chunks" information into short sections (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 Very short material = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material meets the definition of a very short material:
- Printable (P): A very short material is defined as a material with two or fewer paragraphs and no more than 1 page in length.
- Audiovisual (A/V): A very short material is defined as a video or multimedia presentation that is under 1 minute or a multimedia material that has 6 or fewer slides or screenshots.
Explanation
The material should break up information into sections or "chunks" of information that are relatively short to prevent information overload and to make the content easier to understand. Similarly, longer lists need to be broken into smaller chunks as well.
The audiovisual material should also be broken into "chunks," which can be accomplished with the narrator introducing a new section (e.g., now we're going to talk about X), or text or a screenshot to break up the information presented.
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE" — Chunking |
CHOOSE "DISAGREE" — No chunking |
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Understanding High Blood Sugar Where blood sugar comes from... Why insulin is important... Why your blood sugar goes high... |
Understanding Diabetes Your body needs sugar for energy. It gets sugar from the food you eat and drink. The insulin your body makes helps turn blood sugar into energy. When your body does not make enough insulin, it cannot get energy from the sugar. Without insulin, the sugar stays in your blood. Then your blood sugar goes too high and you feel tired. |
Taken from Pfizer, Principles for Clear Health Communication. 2nd Edition.
. Used with permission.
CHOOSE "AGREE" — List broken into "chunks" |
CHOOSE "DISAGREE" — Long list |
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Possible migraine triggers:
|
Possible migraine triggers:
|
Taken from Pfizer, Principles for Clear Health Communication. 2nd Edition.
. Used with permission.
Item 9: The material's sections have informative headers (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 Very short material = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material meets the definition of a very short material:
- Printable (P): A very short material is defined as a material with two or fewer paragraphs and no more than 1 page in length.
- Audiovisual (A/V): A very short material is defined as a video or multimedia presentation that is under 1 minute or a multimedia material that has 6 or fewer slides or screenshots.
Explanation
Headings should be specific and let the user know what to expect in that section.
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Informative header: Why you should wear your seatbelt
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"—Poor header: Seatbelts
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Informative header: Medicines for your diabetes
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"—Poor header: Medicines
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Informative header: Safe cooking temperatures
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"—Poor header: Temperatures
Item 10: The material presents information in a logical sequence (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1
Explanation
The information in a material should be presented in an order that makes sense to the user. The information should build in a natural way. A logical sequence is not necessarily chronological, nor does it mean that you have to start with a background section. Main messages or most important ideas should be at the beginning of sections or lists because users tend to pay more attention to items mentioned first.
Item 11: The material provides a summary (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 Very short material = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material meets the definition of a very short material:
- Printable (P): A very short material is defined as a material with two or fewer paragraphs and no more than 1 page in length.
- Audiovisual (A/V): A very short material is defined as a video or multimedia presentation that is under 1 minute or a multimedia material that has 6 or fewer slides or 6 screenshots.
Explanation
A material should have a summary of the key points or review the key points at the end of the material, either in writing or orally. The summary usually comes at the end of the material, but for a printable material a summary (e.g., summary box) at the beginning is fine. A checklist of key points (or steps) can also be considered a summary.
Examples
The following are good examples of materials providing summaries, whereas a bad material would not provide a summary.
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Multimedia material with a summary
Taken from CDC-TV video, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Finding Balance.
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Printable material with a summary
In summary:
|
Taken from NIH, The Heart Truth® for Women: If You Have Heart Disease, July 2006.