title: Reading from computer screen versus reading from paper: does it still make a difference?
abstract: Four experiments were conducted to test whether recent developments in display technology would suffice to eliminate the well-known disadvantages in reading from screen as compared with paper. Proofreading speed and performance were equal for a TFT-LCD and a paper display, but there were more symptoms of eyestrain in the screen condition accompanied by a strong preference for paper (Experiment 1). These results were replicated using a longer reading duration (Experiment 2). Additional experiments were conducted to test hypotheses about the reasons for the higher amount of eyestrain associated with reading from screen. Reduced screen luminance did not change the pattern of results (Experiment 3), but positioning both displays in equal inclination angles eliminated the differences in eyestrain symptoms and increased proofreading speed in the screen condition (Experiment 4). A paper-like positioning of TFT-LCDs seems to enable unimpaired reading without evidence of increased physical strain. Practitioner Summary: Given the developments in screen technology, a re-assessment of the differences in proofreading speed and performance, well-being, and preference between computer screen and paper was conducted. State-of-the-art TFT-LCDs enable unimpaired reading, but a book-like positioning of screens seems necessary to minimise eyestrain symptoms.
authors.affiliation: a Institut für Experimentelle Psychologie , Heinrich-Heine-Universität , Düsseldorf , Germany.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Köpper
authors.affiliation: b Lehrstuhl für Psychologie mit Schwerpunkt Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion , Universität Passau , Passau , Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.affiliation: a Institut für Experimentelle Psychologie , Heinrich-Heine-Universität , Düsseldorf , Germany.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buchner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001248:Asthenopia; D003201:Computers; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003626:Data Display; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010209:Paper; D011187:Posture; D011932:Reading; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: TFT-LCD; display inclination; eyestrain; iPad; proofreading