Reading speeds decline on ebook devices, says study
People reading 10.7% slower when reading on a Kindle as opposed to a print book, and 6.2% slower when reading on an iPad, according to a study released Friday by the Nielsen Norman Group.
The study tested 24 readers using a story by Ernest Hemingway (the report doesn’t say which story), “because his work is pleasant and engaging to read, and yet not so complicated that it would be above the heads of users. ”
It also asked participants to rate thier satisfaction with the devies “on a 1–7 scale, with 7 being the best score. iPad, Kindle, and the printed book all scored fairly high at 5.8, 5.7, and 5.6, respectively. The PC, however, scored an abysmal 3.6.”
As for what the subjects had to say about it all:
Most of the users’ free-form comments were predictable. For example, they disliked that the iPad was so heavy and that the Kindle featured less-crisp gray-on-gray letters. People also disliked the lack of true pagination and preferred the way the iPad (actually, the iBook app) indicated the amount of text left in a chapter.
Less predictable comments: Users felt that reading the printed book was more relaxing than using electronic devices. And they felt uncomfortable with the PC because it reminded them of work.
I’ve read a few dozen books on a DX (large screen) and notice I tire more quickly. It’s not clear why. I have nothing against e-readers and will keep using them, but it’s just something I noticed. The DX has a new model out with higher contrast perhaps it is related.
It’s easy to see why speed declines - fewer words on the page and then you have to hit a button! I can read MUCH faster with a book than with an e-reader simply because I can turn the page faster with a printed book.
24 readers seem to few for any serious research!!!!!