Is reading from the screen more difficult than reading from paper and how can screen reading be made easier? I've noticed that as a student when reading material, there is a choice between reading from the screen or reading from paper.
When reading from paper I find that I concentrate more and that  comprehension is  much better. I can partially memorize the material rather than reading from screen. In addition, I find reading from screen is more tiring. When I feel tired reading from the screen I often print to paper, and it provides relief.

Questions


Does research support this observation that reading from paper results in less strain and greater comprehension?
Are there any techniques to improve reading from screen?
Research would suggest that reading from (well printed) paper is easier; due to ease of making annotations, navigation and the lower risk of eye strain that can be caused from VDUs.

There are ways to minimise potential eye strain on VDUs, due to lighting and positioning.

Friendly User Interfaces would ease navigation, and the development of new technologies for monitors, would assist in visual acuity and reduction in potential eye strain and problems associated with glare.


  We report on a laboratory study that compares reading from paper to
  reading on-line. Critical differences have to do with the major
  advantages paper offers in supporting annotation while reading, quick
  navigation, and flexibility of spatial layout. These, in turn, allow
  readers to deepen their understanding of the text, extract a sense of
  its structure, create a plan for writing, cross-refer to other
  documents, and interleave reading and writing. We discuss the design
  implications of these findings for the development of better reading
  technologies.


A Comparison of Reading Paper and On-Line Documents
Kenton O'Hara &amp; Abigail Sellen
Rank Xerox Research Centre (EuroPARC)
61 Regent St.
Cambridge, CB2 1AB, U.K.


  The advent of widespread computer use in general and increasing
  developments in the domain of hypertext in particular have increased
  awareness of the issue of reading electronic text. To date the
  literature has been dominated by reference to work on overcoming speed
  deficits resulting from poor image quality but an emerging literature
  reveals a more complex set of variables at work. The present review
  considers the differences between the media in terms of outcomes and
  processes of reading and concludes that single variable explanations
  are insufficient to capture the range of issues involved in reading
  from screens.


Reading from paper versus screens: a critical review of the empirical literature
Ergonomics
Volume 35, Issue 10, 1992

Proof-reading: VDU and paper text compared for speed, accuracy and fatigue
Behaviour &amp; Information Technology
Volume 6, Issue 2, 1987

Visual strain during VDU work: the effect of viewing distance and dark focus
Ergonomics
Volume 31, Issue 10, 1988