About this Resource

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[?] Compare the following versions of the welcome page of an online questionnaire. Which do you think is the best and why? Compare your answers to the comments below.

A)

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU RECOGNIZE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PAGE, THE CHANCES ARE YOU HAVE TAKEN PART IN THIS STUDY BEFORE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, PLEASE DO NOT PARTICIPATE AGAIN. THANK YOU.
Welcome to the sleep study. First, I want to thank you for your willingness to help us learn more about sleep, and also to let you know that taking part in this study will give you an opportunity to learn more about your sleep patterns and about sleep itself. I would like to ask you for your consent to be in this study and allow us to use your responses, without, of course, you being identified with them in any way. If you decide to be in the study, you will need to provide a secret username (which will also allow you to get feedback). IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A USERNAME, PLEASE MAKE UP A NEW USERNAME FOR USE IN THIS STUDY, ONE THAT YOU WON'T FORGET. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A USERNAME, MAKE ONE UP THAT YOU WILL NOT FORGET. Please keep your secret username in mind, as you will need it during the course of the experiment. In fact, it is absolutely essential that you use your username. For each part of the sleep pattern test, the last item you record, after each question, will be your username. For your information, this study has been approved ...

B)

[i] Please note: If you recognise anything about the next page, the chances are you have taken part in this study before. Please do not participate again.

Thank you.

Welcome to the sleep study.

 

  • First, I want to thank you for your willingness to help us learn more about sleep.
  • Second, I want to let you know that taking part in this study will give you an opportunity to learn more about your sleep patterns and about sleep itself.
  • Third, I would like to ask you for your consent to be in this study and allow us to use your responses, without, of course, you being identified with them in any way.

If you decide to be in the study, you will need to provide a secret username (which will also allow you to get feedback).

  • If you already have a username, please make up a new username for use in this study, one that you won't forget.
  • If you don't have a username, make one up that you won't forget.

Please keep your username in mind, as you will need it during the course of the experiment.

In fact, it is absolutely essential that you use your username. For each part of the sleep pattern test, the last item you record, after each question, will be your username.

For your information, this research has been approved ...

 

[?] If you wish, you can make notes in the text box below. Select 'comments' to see the suggested answer.

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Although the text is the same, the second example is clearer. Features that make it easier to read include:

  • More white space makes it easier to access and process the information.
  • The text is divided into sections and bullet points which makes it easier to gain an understanding of the different points it contains.
  • The use of underlining and capitalisation is avoided.
  • Key information is highlighted using bold which is used sparingly to preserve impact.

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