Computer supported reading vs reading text on paper: a comparison of two reading situations

Abstract

The effect presentation mode has on subjects' performance of a reasoning task was tested by comparing four different modes of presentation. Subjects were required to search and integrate information that was presented in short texts (22 sentences long). The texts were presented via a VDU (computerized reading situation) or on paper (non-computerized reading situation), in their entirety or as separate sentence. Sixteen psychology students participated in the study. Reading speed and accuracy of judgement were unaffected by presentation medium (VDU or paper). Moreover, in both situations search times were longer when little information was available and when search demands were increased. Negative information had a similar effect on subjects' ratings of difficulty in the two situations. The way information was searched differed, however, in the computerized and the non-computerized reading situations when the texts were presented as separate sentences. Four different search strategies were found; they were unevenly distributed in the two situations. In the non-computerized situation, subjects searched almost twice as much information as they did in the computerized situation. On the other hand, in the computerized situation search times were almost twice as long. The results suggest that psychological studies on how existing cognitive skills are applied to computerized situations, could provide a valuable source of information for designers of computer systems.