Usefulness of Readability Formulas for Achieving Army Readability Objectives: Research and State-of-the-Art-Applied to the Army's Problem
Abstract
This report was prepared to assist the Army in evaluating the usefulness of readability formulas in identifying material that will be comprehended by readers at a given reading skill level. Existing readability methods and research findings were reviewed against three major criterion questions. These questions and conclusions reached for each are as follows: (1) Question: How effectively do formulas predict comprehension at targeted reading grade levels? Conclusion: Formulas cannot match material to reader, (2) Question: Does rewriting to lower readability scores increase comprehension? Conclusions: Rewriting to lower the formula reading grade level score does not increase comprehension, and (3) Question: How will formula score requirements affect production of written materials? Conclusion: Requiring that text be written to satisfy a targeted reading grade level score focuses attention on meeting the score requirement rather than on organizing the material to meet the readers' information needs. An approach is outlined for developing a broader based method and criteria to by-pass the serious deficiencies of present day readability formulas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA086408
Entities
People
- Richard P. Kern
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences