User Testing as a method of Readability Testing
User Testing as a method of Readability Testing was developed in the 1990s in Australia. It has been widely applied to diverse types of consumer information and its application has been extensively researched.
User Testing itself does not improve the quality of the information. It should be employed in a formative, iterative way to identify and rectify readability problems within Package Leaflets, also known as Patient Information Leaflets (PILs).
It is possible for badly written leaflets to pass User Testing where the methodology has been poorly applied. Competent Authorities across Europe are increasingly aware of this and are looking for the correct application of the methodology and importantly that improvements are reflected in the final Package Leaflet.
