Reading text from computer screens

Abstract

This paper reviews empirical studies concerning the readability of text from computer screens. The review focuses on the form and physical attributes of complex, realistic displays of text material. Most studies comparing paper and computer screen readability show that screens are less readable than paper. There are many factors that could affect the readability of computer screens. The factors explored in this review are the features of characters, the formatting of the screen, the contrast and color of the characters and background, and dynamic aspects of the screen. Numerous areas for future research are pinpointed. INTRODUCTIONThe increase in the number of computer screens and computer screen users in the industrial world is staggering and promises to be even greater in the future. On the basis of figures from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, approximately 10 million American workers currently use computer screens daily to perform their jobs. By 1990 it is expected that this number will be 20 million, and by the year 2000, 40 million workers will use computer screens [Mansfield 19851. The computer screen is used extensively as an input/output device for computer systems, and it can be used to display many different types of information, such as graphic and pictorial. One of the primary uses for the computer screen, however, is the display of text.The readability of text from computer screens is an issue that has increased in importance with the increasing frequency Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Association for Computing Machinery. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee and/or specific permission. and range of computer screen use. One use is word processing, which requires reading large amounts of text from computer screens. Other applications include the electronic publishing of books and journals [Lancaster and Warner 1985;Moray 1980;Senders 1977;Weyer 1982; Wright and Lickorish 19841 and videotext [Bown et al. 1980;Malloy 1983; Reynolds 19821. Computerized information retrieval occurs in library searches, electronic mail, and retrieval of information from on-line technical manuals. In all of these applications, a large number of characteristics of text on computer screens could potentially affect how easily people can extract information from screens (cf. Shneiderman [1980]). The purpose of this paper is to review empirical studies concerning factors affecting the readability of text on computer screens.The literature on the use of computer screens has increased dramatically in the last few years. Books by Cakir et al. [1980] and Grandjean and Vigliani [1980] have provided coverage of some of the basic issues and research findings involving computer screen use. Additional research on factors influencing re...

The Effect of Text Typographical Features on Legibility, Comprehension, and Retrieval of EFL Learners

“…This finding was coincident with finding of Lee (2003) who claims that the increase in letter size leads to increase in legibility. McCarthy and Mothersbaugh (2000) and Mills and Weldon (1987) confirm the idea of Lee (2003). Beidler (2006) also has stated that the first thing for improving the legibility is increasing the type size.…”

“…For example, Serif fonts in 16 point are the most preferable ones considering legibility (Hughes & Wilkins, 2000). Legibility of a text affects its readability which means the ease of comprehension (Mills & Weldon, 1987). Consequently, it affects reading comprehension (Woods, Davis, & Scharff, 2005).…”

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Children’s reading skills: A comparison of traditional and computerized assessment

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