Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts

Barbara Chaparro; J. Ryan Baker; A. Dawn Shaikh; Spring Hull; Laurie Brady

Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts

Barbara Chaparro, J. Ryan Baker, A. Dawn Shaikh, Spring Hull, Laurie Brady

Wichita State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

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 four white space conditions. Results show that the use of margins affected both reading speed and comprehension 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.

Original language	American English
Journal	Usability News (SURL)
Volume	6
State	Published - Jul 2004
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

web page design
online reading
usability studies

Disciplines

Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces

Cite this

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title = "Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts",

abstract = " 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 four white space conditions. Results show that the use of margins affected both reading speed and comprehension 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.",

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AU - Shaikh, A. Dawn

AU - Hull, Spring

AU - Brady, Laurie

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AB - 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 four white space conditions. Results show that the use of margins affected both reading speed and comprehension 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.

KW - web page design

KW - online reading

KW - usability studies

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JO - Usability News (SURL)

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