title: The accuracy of reading speed measurement by stopwatch versus measurement with an automated computer program (rad-rd©).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the reading time and reading speed measurements obtained with a stopwatch with those of an automated computer program for measuring reading speed and acuity (rad-rd©; patent: AT 504635B1/10-2006).
  
  
  METHODS
  The rad-rd©was used (in conjunction with a PC and microphone) for the computer-based measurements. In rotation, each of four examiners took a turn reading the 12 sentences from one of the four RADNER Reading Charts to three other examiners, who served as stoppers. The stoppers simultaneously measured the reading time with a stopwatch while a fifth investigator used the rad-rd©to obtain computerized measurements. The stopwatch measurements were then statistically compared with the rad-rd©measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean reading time obtained with the stopwatch measurements was 4.34 ± 0.57 seconds (196.21 ± 21.79 wpm), versus 4.44 ± 0.59 seconds (192.24 ± 22.20 wpm) by computer measurement (r = 0.84). Of the 144 stopwatch measurements, 97 (67.36%) were shorter, and 47 (32.64%) were equal to (n = 5) or longer than the computer measurements. The mean difference for the shorter measurements was -0.17 ± 0.1 seconds (3.91% of the mean reading time), and the mean difference for the longer measurements was 0.11 ± 0.1 seconds (2.53% of the mean reading time). Most differences ranged from -0.1 to 0.1 seconds (42.36%). The results did not differ significantly among the four stoppers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rad-rd©is an accurate, automated computer program for measuring reading time. Stopwatch measurements, although subject to inaccuracy from several sources, remain a reliable and simple method for analysis of reading performance.
authors: Austrian Academy of Opthalmology, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Radner
authors: Department of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Diendorfer
authors: Fachhochschule Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Bettina
authors: B
authors: Kainrath
authors: Fachhochschule Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Kollmitzer
mesh_terms: D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011932:Reading; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Radner Reading Charts; Radner reading test; Reading speed; reading acuity; reading speed device