Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years

Ziming Liu

doi:10.1108/00220410510632040

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Journal of Documentation

ISSN: 0022-0418

Online from: 1945

Subject Area: Library and Information Studies

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Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years

Document Information:
Title:	Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years
Author(s):	Ziming Liu, (School of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA)
Citation:	Ziming Liu, (2005) "Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 61 Iss: 6, pp.700 - 712
Keywords:	Behaviour, Electronic media, Print media, Reading
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/00220410510632040 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – This study attempts to investigate reading behavior in the digital environment by analyzing how people's reading behavior has changed over the past ten years. Design/methodology/approach – Survey and analysis methods are employed. Findings – With an increasing amount of time spent reading electronic documents, a screen-based reading behavior is emerging. The screen-based reading behavior is characterized by more time spent on browsing and scanning, keyword spotting, one-time reading, non-linear reading, and reading more selectively, while less time is spent on in-depth reading, and concentrated reading. Decreasing sustained attention is also noted. Annotating and highlighting while reading is a common activity in the printed environment. However, this “traditional” pattern has not yet migrated to the digital environment when people read electronic documents. Originality/value – Implications for the changes in reading behavior are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.