Reading Comprehension and Rate: One Column vs. Three Columns

Authors:

Kevin Lam - kklam@wam.umd.edu
Yan Lam - ylam@wam.umd.edu
Joshua Liu - jliu@wam.umd.edu
Un-Gi Shin - shinu@wam.umd.edu

Abstract

This experiment tests the implications of reading from a single (one)-column layout and a multiple (three)-column page layout.   We hypothesize that a one-column layout can be read faster than a three-column layout of the same size, but a three-column layout will be better comprehended.  The experiment comprised of twenty subjects asked to participate by interacting with a program written in Visual Basic.  Two dependent variables were tested upon.  The analysis of results show statistically significant results for the reading rate variable, but is inconclusive for the reading comprehension variable.  While our hypothesis was disproven by our findings, reason are offered that may help explain why the experiment did not turn out as expected. 

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