Reading Self-Paced Moving Text on a Computer Display

Abstract

Readability of text moved horizontally along a single line on a computer display was studied as a function of two line lengths and three jump lengths. In the experiment text was advanced in continuous jumps of one or several characters at a time and the speed of text display was controlled in real time by subjects via a control knob. The results showed that jump lengths of five and nine character spaces resulted in a higher reading rate than the one-character jump condition. Furthermore, text appearing in 20-character windows was read as fast as text in 40-character windows. However, when text was advanced one character space at a time, the small window condition resulted in higher comprehension than the large window condition. Implications of these results for reading self-paced computer displays are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bury, K. F. , Boyle, J. M. , Evey, R. J. , and Neal, A. S. (1982). Windowing versus scrolling on a visual display terminal Human Factors, 24, 385-394.

Chen, H.-C. , Healy, A. F. , and Bourne, L. E., Jr. (1985). Effects of presentation complexity on rapid-sequential reading. Perception and Psychophysics, 38, 461-470.

Chen, H.-C. , and Tsoi, K.-C. (1988). Factors affecting the readability of moving text on a computer screen. Human Factors, 30, 25-33.

De Soete, G. (1986). A perceptual study of the Flury-Riedwyl faces for graphically displaying multivariate data. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 25, 549-555.

Duchnicky, R. L. , and Kolers, P. A. (1983). Readability of text scrolled on visual display terminals as a function of window size. Human Factors, 25, 683-692.

Gould, J. D. , Alfaro, L. , Finn, R. , Haupt, B. , and Minuto, A. (1987). Reading from CRT displays can be as fast as reading from paper. Human Factors, 29, 497-517.

Granaas, M. M. , McKay, T. D. , Laham, R. D. , Hurt, L. D. , and Juola, J. F. (1984). Reading moving text on a CRT screen. Human Factors, 26, 97-104.

Jackson, M. D. , and McClelland, J. L. (1979). Processing determinants of reading speeds. Journal of Experimental Psychology; General, 108, 151-181.

McCall, W. A. , and Crabbs, L. M. (1950, 1961). Standard test lessons in reading. New York: Teachers' College Press.

10.

Monk, A. F. (1984). Reading continuous text from a one line visual display. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 21, 269-277.

11.

Muter, P. , Latremouille, S. A. , Treurniet, W. C. , and Beam, P. (1982). Extended reading of continuous text on television screens. Human Factors, 24, 501-508.

12.

Neal, A. S. , and Darnell, M. J. (1984). Text-editing performance with partial-line, partial-page, and full-page displays. Human Factors, 26, 431-441.

13.

Rayner, K. (1983). The perceptual span and eye movement control during reading. In K. Rayner (Ed.), Eye movements in reading (pp. 97-120). New York: Academic Press.

14.

Sekey, A. , and Tietz, J. (1982). Text display by “saccadic scrolling.” Visible Language, 16, 62-76.

15.

Tsoi, K.-C. , and Chen, H.-C. (1986). Utilization of the Z-80 microprocessor with its interface circuits in psychological experiments. Chinese Journal of Psychology, 28, 1-5.