Readability and Usability

Readability is the ease in which a document or work can be read. Things considered readable mean that is interesting and fit to be read. Interest and prior knowledge of a subject often help readers comprehend and retain information.

Readability tests were designed to meaure the suitability of books to assist educators and librarians in selecting appropriate materials for different age groups. Some testing methodology consist of the Flesch Reading Ease scale, widely used formula measuring the readability of documents on scale from 0(difficult to read)-100(easy to read). The Flesh scale is also used in Microsoft Word when providing statistics about a current document and it also tells you what reading level the writing of the document is on. I was first introduced to this in high school when my English teacher made remarks about writing at an appropriate level since we were on our way to college. The Fry test method is also a measure of readability which is now incorporated in computer programs.

Usability testing methods investigate the ease in which users can utilize a product or website. Readability tests can measure the readability of the text on websites or the text in manuals and directions for products. It is important that users can easily understand the information that is presented to them. In visual design, readability tests can determine the effectiveness of typography or copy.