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

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. © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited