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 4×2 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.