Lonsdale, MDS orcid.org/0000-0003-0315-6169 (2016) Typographic features of text and their contribution to the legibility of academic reading materials: an empirical study. Visible Language, 50 (1). pp. 79-111. ISSN 0022-2224
Abstract
An experimental study provided evidence that text layout affects performance when reading text to search for specific information under time pressure in an examination-type situation. The present paper reports a second experimental study conducted to ascertain whether this effect extends to similar academic reading materials and situations that, contrary to examinations, are performed under no time pressure. Three layouts were used for comparison, which replicated real-life examination materials and represented three distinct levels of legibility. The results revealed that text layout affects performance under conditions of search reading even when time pressure is absent. Moreover, participants performed better with the layout conforming to legibility guidelines and considered this layout to be the easiest to use and the most attractive. In order to understand these findings, an attempt is made to specify a theoretical model of reading in academic-type situations. The model identifies and analyses the stages of the reading process that might be affected by typographic layout and adopts the hypothesis that such effect takes place at the perceptual level of reading. The outcomes from this study will prove useful to those involved in the development of written materials used in academia such as textbooks, journal articles, magazines, and tests.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Copyright of Visible Language is the property of University of Cincinnati, on behalf of Visible Language and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. Reproduced with permission from Visible Language. |
Keywords: | Typographic legibility; Text layout; Academic texts; Search reading; Perceptual level of reading |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Design (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 04 Oct 2016 08:29 |
Last Modified: | 14 Dec 2018 10:26 |
Published Version: | http://visiblelanguagejournal.com/issue/182/articl... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | School of Design, University of Cincinnati |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:99942 |