Write screeners, consent forms, and moderator guides in plain language — language people can understand the first time they read or hear it (see Section 4.3 to learn about plain language writing). It also helps to limit the number of tasks and questions when conducting usability testing with people who have limited literacy skills. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in each session. Make sure the most critical tasks are early in your protocol — it’s best to keep the session brief. If you’re testing remotely, you may need to make your guide even shorter to accommodate any technology or connectivity issues.
Many people have difficulty understanding complex consent forms — you may find that they’ll sign without reading the form.38 In addition to providing easy-to-read consent documents, consider using a consent process that makes sure people clearly understand what they’ll be asked to do during the research process, regardless of their level of literacy skills, English proficiency, or other factors that affect understanding. You can:
- Review consent forms verbally24
- Ask participants to initial each thing they consent to — for example, written notes, having the screen recorded, or being videotaped
See the Informed Consent and Authorization Toolkit for Minimal Risk Research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for more information.39
