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Cited by 253Usability and User Interface DesignGaze Tracking and Assistive TechnologyErgonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Reading text from computer screens

Open access
Mills, Carol Bergfeld, Weldon, Linda J.·1987·ACM Computing Surveys
DOI 10.1145/45075.46162
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Abstract

This paper reviews empirical studies concerning the readability of text from computer screens. The review focuses on the form and physical attributes of complex, realistic displays of text material. Most studies comparing paper and computer screen readability show that screens are less readable than paper. There are many factors that could affect the readability of computer screens. The factors explored in this review are the features of characters, the formatting of the screen, the contrast and color of the characters and background, and dynamic aspects of the screen. Numerous areas for future research are pinpointed.

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Research works printed but not linked: 15

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  4. FELKER, D. B. 1980. Document design: A Review of the ReZeuant Research. American Institutes for Research, Washington, D.C.
  5. GOULD, J. D., AND GRISCHKOWSKY, N. 1984. Doing the same work with hard copy and with cathode- 355 Calif., pp. 55-129.
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  12. OLBRON, G., AND TARDIEU, H. 1978. Influence of scrolling up on the recall of texts. In Practical Aspects of Memory, M. M. Gruneberg, P. E. Morris, and R. N. Sykes, Eds. Academic Press, Orlando, Fla., pp. 137-144.
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  14. SHURTLEFF, D. A. 1974. Legibility research. Proc. SZD 15,41-51.
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Authors
Mills, C. B., & Weldon, L. J.
Affiliations
  • Goucher College (US)
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
Venue
ACM Computing Surveys
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Published
1987-12
Volume
19
Issue
4
Pages
329-357
ISSN
  • 0360-0300 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7341
DOI
10.1145/45075.46162
OpenAlex
W2021346535
Cited by
253
References
100
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 19
FWCI
3.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.acm.org/publications/policies/copyright_policy#Background (vor)
Locations
ACM Computing Surveys (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Usability and User Interface Design
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Keywords
computer displays, character design, color, dynamic displays, text display

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