The Impact of Paging vs. Scrolling on Reading Online Text Passages

In this study, we examined the use of paging vs. scrolling in reading passages, including participants' reading comprehension in paging and scrolling conditions.

Baker, J. Ryan. Usability News (2003). Design>Web Design>Usability

Is Multiple-Column Online Text Better? It Depends!

This study investigated the effects of multi-column displays and justification on reading performance and satisfaction of an online narrative passage. Participants read a short story displayed in one of six formats (one, two, or three columns, in either a full or left-justified format). Results showed a significant column x justification interaction with reading speed significantly faster for the two-column full-justified text than for one-column full-justified, and significantly faster for one-column left-justified than for one-column full-justified or three-column full-justified text. Post-hoc analyses indicate that the faster readers may have benefited most from the two-column justified format.

Baker, J. Ryan. Usability News (2005). Design>Web Design>Typography>Usability

Practicing What We Preach? A Usability Evaluation of the HFES Proceedings CD-ROM

When it comes to conferences, traditional paper proceedings are quickly being replaced by their electronic counterparts. The annual conference of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society is no exception. Last year’s 2000 conference proceedings were available solely on the CD-ROM, “Ergonomics for the Millennium.” After working with the proceedings ourselves and hearing other conference attendees comment on the difficulties accessing information from the proceedings, we decided to conduct a quick usability test on the software.

Baker, J. Ryan. Usability News (2001). Articles>Usability

Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts

In this study, reading performance with four white space layouts was compared. Margins surrounding the text and leading (space between lines) were manipulated to generate the four white space conditions. Results show that the use of margins affected both reading speed and comprehension in that participants read the Margin text slower, but comprehended more than the No Margin text. Participants were also generally more satisfied with the text with margins. Leading was not shown to impact reading performance but did influence overall user preference.

Chaparro, Barbara S., J. Ryan Baker, A. Dawn Shaikh, Spring S. Hull and Laurie Brady. Usability News (2004). Design>Web Design>Typography>Visual Rhetoric