Faculty Articles
Title
Readability of consumer-oriented geriatric depression information on the Internet
ISBN or ISSN
0731-7115
Publication Title
Clinical Gerontologist
Volume
29
Issue
4
Publication Date / Copyright Date
1-1-2006
First Page
17
Last Page
32
DOI Number
10.1300/J018v29n04_02
Abstract
Readability, or the ease with which written material is scanned and understood, is an important factor in the effectiveness of written communication. This study evaluated the readability of consumer-oriented information about geriatric depression on the Internet. The readability of material from 60 websites (e.g., the National Institute of Mental Health or www.nimh.nih.gov) was evaluated with standard readability indexes. The effects of type of search, type of site, and search engine on readability were assessed, and most sites were too difficult for most elders to read. Results show that consumers of geriatric depression information on the Internet may not be able to profit from it due to the low levels of readability of the material provided.
Disciplines
Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
Aged, Internet, health literacy, readability
NSUWorks Citation
Ownby, Raymond L., "Readability of consumer-oriented geriatric depression information on the Internet" (2006). Faculty Articles. 11.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_faculty_articles/11
