Legibility of serif and sans serif type faces in computer displays
Date
1990
Authors
Williams, Mark Allen, author
Tharp, Martha P., advisor
Valbrecht, Vicki, committee member
Zimmerman, Donald E., committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Studies of type faces printed on paper have generally found minimal legibility differences between the many type faces. Modem computers are capable of displaying many of the same type faces available to printers, but few studies have looked at the legibility of these electronically displayed type faces. This study considers whether type faces with serifs are more legible than those without serifs when displayed on IBM PS/2 8513 monitors, when all other legibility variables are experimentally controlled. An experiment compared subjects' reading rates for one text set in serif type and one set in sans serif type. Subjects timed themselves as they read two 600-700 word texts from the computer monitors and answered comprehension questions. Variables of subject age, prior use of computers, vision, and use of corrective lenses were addressed. Analysis of data showed no significant difference in the reading rates of the two type faces. Reading rates for experimental treatments were not significantly different than those for the control, but were significantly different than each other. The variance in the experiment is thus caused by variables other than type face. Uncontrolled variables in experimental design and laboratory set-up appear to have overwhelmed any type face induced effect that may have been present. Further, better controlled experiments are needed to test the appropriateness of type face for computer displays.
Description
Covers not scanned.
Print version deaccessioned 2020.
Print version deaccessioned 2020.
Rights Access
Subject
Legibility (Printing)
Type and type-founding
Computers