Bernard, M., Fernandez, M., & Hull, S. (2002). The effects of line length on children and adults' online reading performance. Usability News, 4(2).

Bernard, M.; Fernandez, M.; Hull, S.

2002

Bernard, M., Fernandez, M., & Hull, S. (2002). The effects of line length on children and adults' online reading performance. Usability News, 4(2).

Adults, as well as children these days often read an extensive amount of information online. Thus, the need to address the ergonomic issues associated with this type of medium has become even more important. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of line length on online reading performance by both adults and children. This study found no significant differences in reading time or reading efficiency between the three line length conditions for both the adults and children. However, the results did support the finding that shorter line lengths are preferred more that full-screen line lengths. As far as the perception of reading efficiency, the results were mixed. For adults, the full-length condition was perceived as providing the optimal amount of scrolling in comparison to the two other conditions - presumably because this condition required the least amount of scrolling. The narrow-length condition was perceived as promoting the highest amount of concentration, while the medium-length condition was considered to be most optimally presented length for reading.

This study found no significant differences in reading time or reading efficiency between the three line length conditions for both the adults and children. However, the results did support the finding that shorter line lengths are preferred more that full-screen line lengths. As far as the perception of reading efficiency, the results were mixed. For adults, the full-length condition was perceived as providing the optimal amount of scrolling in comparison to the two other conditions - presumably because this condition required the least amount of scrolling. The narrow-length condition was perceived as promoting the highest amount of concentration, while the medium-length condition was considered to be most optimally presented length for reading.

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