Topic: Use of Visual Aids
Item 15: The material uses visual aids whenever they could make content more easily understood (e.g., illustration of healthy portion size) (P)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1
Explanation
The material should use a visual aid whenever it would make the content easier to understand. For example, an illustration of a healthy portion size would increase understanding beyond using just text to describe the size of a healthy portion. This also includes using graphic displays to make numeric information easier to understand. If you can think of a meaningful visual aid that could have been added to clarify the meaning of text, you should disagree with this item.
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"–Illustration of portion sizes
From National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Stay Young at Heart
Item 16: The material's visual aids reinforce rather than distract from the content (P)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 No visual aids = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material has no visual aids.
Explanation
The material should only use visual aids that reinforce or relate to the content being presented, or visual aids can provide examples or clarify information. While some materials may use a lot of visual aids to break-up the text and keep the material visually interesting, this does not necessarily benefit understandability.
Ask yourself whether the visuals largely reinforce and relate to the content. If they do not reinforce content, especially if they distract from the content, then choose "Disagree." Similarly, for a generic picture that neither describes the content nor provides further explanation, choose "Disagree."
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"–Visual aid that reinforces
The following visual aid reinforces the content by illustrating levels of activity.
From NIH We Can! Campaign, Parent Tips: Calories Needed Each Day.
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"–A visual aid that does not reinforce but distracts
The following visual aid does not appear related to the text and is distracting from the material's purpose.
From Colonoscopy from MedlinePlus
Item 17: The material's visual aids have clear titles or captions (P)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 No visual aids = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material has no visual aids.
Explanation
Captions and titles for visual aids are important to help the user know what the graphic is about or what it is showing. Visual aids are meant to support the text and can be a way to explain the material's content. If a material has images that do not have a caption or title, or if the captions or titles are unclear or are unrelated to the visual aid, you should choose "Disagree."
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"—Clear caption related to the visual aid
Clean your baby's teeth with a clean, soft cloth or a baby toothbrush.
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"—Unclear caption
Clean your baby's teeth as soon as they come in.
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"—Unrelated caption
Keeping teeth healthy
Image taken from National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby
Item 18: The material uses illustrations and photographs that are clear and uncluttered (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 No visual aids = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material has no visual aids.
Explanation
For the user to understand the content covered in an illustration or photograph, the image must be clear and uncluttered. If a material is not both clear and uncluttered, then you should choose "Disagree."
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"–A clear and uncluttered illustration
From Lead Poisoning: Words To Know From A to Z
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"–A cluttered illustration
Taken from NIH, Explore Coronary Angioplasty, February 2012.
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"–An unclear photograph
Item 19: The material uses simple tables with short and clear row and column headings (P and A/V)
Ratings: Disagree = 0 Agree = 1 No tables = N/A
Not Applicable
Choose N/A if the material has no tables.
Examples
CHOOSE "AGREE"–Clear row and column headings
From Environmental Protection Agency. A Guide to the UV Index
CHOOSE "DISAGREE"–Incomplete or unclear row and column headings
Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults
(measured in millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg)
Category | Systolic (top number) | Diastolic (bottom number) | |
---|---|---|---|
Normal | Less than 120 | And | Less than 80 |
Prehypertension | 120-139 | Or | 80-89 |
High blood pressure | |||
Stage 1 | 140-159 | Or | 90-99 |
Stage 2 | 160 or higher | Or | 100 or higher |
Taken from NIH, Explore High Blood Pressure, August 2012