Processing fluency effects: can the content and presentation of participant information sheets influence recruitment and participation for an antenatal intervention?

Objective: To assess the extent to which the title and font of participant information sheets (PISs) can influence pregnant women’s and trainee midwives’ perceptions of an antenatal intervention. Methods: Pregnant women (n = 35) and trainee midwives (n = 36) were randomly presented with one of four PISs where the title and font of the PIS had been manipulated to create four experimental conditions (i.e., Double-Fluent; Double-Awkward; Fluent Title-Awkward Font; Awkward Title-Fluent Font). After reading the PIS, participants rated their perceptions of the intervention (i.e., attractiveness, complexity, expected risk, required effort) using five-point Likert scales. Results: A 4x2 factorial multivariate analysis of variance revealed that pregnant women rated the Double-Awkward condition as significantly more complex than the Double-Fluent (p = .024) and Awkward Title-Fluent Font (p = .021) conditions. Conclusion: Font influenced pregnant women’s ratings of intervention complexity. Practice Implications: Results have implications for ethical recruitment, and in turn, the optimisation of corresponding interventions.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.005