Does telephone testing of long-term memory retention and forgetting influence performance in young and older adults? An examination using the Crimes Test

Abstract

Measuring memory over long delays requires multiple sessions, often administered remotely (e.g. by telephone) to maximise convenience and participant access. However, the efficacy of testing delayed memory via telephone has not previously been examined. We administered the Crimes Test to young and older adults, with a one-week delay test, either in person or over the telephone. Testing via telephone had no detrimental effect, indicating this to be an appropriate method of examining delayed episodic memory.