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Reading on Paper Versus Screens: What’s the Difference?

  • Published 28 Jul 2020
  • Author Kerry Benson
  • Source BrainFacts/SfN

Children reading

During the coronavirus pandemic, students worldwide shifted from the classroom to remote, online learning. Many swapped hard copy textbooks and worksheets for websites and other digital resources. Digital books have been with us for a decade — but how well are we absorbing it all?

Turns out print is easier to comprehend than digital text.

“[Print reading] is kind of like meditation — focusing our attention on something still,” says Anne Mangen, a literacy professor at the University of Stavanger in Norway. “And it’s a whole different kind of immersion than responding to [digital] stimuli. I think it’s healthy for us as human beings to sit down with something that doesn’t move, ping, or call on our attention.”

Print is visually less demanding than digital text. It provides spatial and tactile cues to help readers process words on a page. Mindset may also be a factor. If people associate screen time with casual web-surfing they may rush through without fully absorbing the text.

Do you think you’re the exception? Most people do. Studies found digital reading breeds overconfidence.

“We read digital [text] more quickly, [so] we think we must understand it better,” explains Lauren Singer Trakhman, who studies reading comprehension at the University of Maryland, College Park. “It’s one of the best parts of our digital world — everything is at our fingertips and we can get the headlines in a second — but it may also be one of the pitfalls. Everything’s so quick and accessible that we may not be truly digesting [what we read] anymore.”

Both scientists agree digital is fine to scan news headings for main ideas, but longer, complicated texts are best read in print, especially to retain the details.

TL;DR: Digital Reading Equals Shallower Processing

In 2016, Singer Trakhman examined undergraduates’ reading comprehension after they read digital and print versions of articles. Format didn’t affect their grasp of the main idea, but students missed details when reading on screens.

Digital reading impairs comprehension, particularly for longer, more complex texts, says Mangen. This may be because of the shallowing hypothesis — constant exposure to fast-paced, digital media trains the brain to process information more rapidly and less thoroughly.

“There’s not much [neuroscientific research] on the reading of actual texts,” Mangen says. However, existing research does offer some clues. In a 2009 study , the marketing research company Millward Brown found the brain processes physical and digital materials differently. Participants viewed advertisements on a screen and on a printed card while undergoing an fMRI scan. Print materials were more likely to activate the medial prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex , both involved in processing emotions. Reading print also generated more activity in the parietal cortex , which processes visual and spatial cues.

Keep Scrolling or Turn the Page?

Scrolling through digital text may impair comprehension by creating spatial challenges. A 2017 study found participants’ reading comprehension suffered when they scrolled through a comic book’s individual panels instead of seeing them all at once. When we read, our brains construct a cognitive map of the text, like recalling that a piece of information appeared near the top, left-hand page of a book. But imagine drawing a map of something with constantly moving landmarks, like a webpage. It’s harder to map words that aren’t in a fixed location, because we lose important “visual placeholders,” says Singer Trakhman.

Scrolling demands more from our working memory, she adds. “In our working memory, we can hold about seven items at a time, so the goal when reading is to take away as many demands as possible. When we have to remember what we just read and we don’t have spatial [cues] to help, that’s taking some of our bandwidth.”

In addition, the LED screens’ constant flickering glow creates more work for our eyes, causing visual and mental fatigue.

However, e-readers, like Kindles, don’t require scrolling and reduce eyestrain with e-ink technology. Those are likely superior to other digital-text formats, Mangen says. But they lack an important aspect of the reading experience: turning the page.

In one of Mangen’s studies , participants read a story either on a Kindle or in print and then underwent comprehension tests. The texts were identical, but Kindle readers pressed a button to progress through the book, while print readers turned pages. Print readers were more likely to accurately recall the story’s chronological order. Mangen says this may be because print provides sensorimotor cues that enhance cognitive processing. When holding a book, we receive reminders of how many pages we’ve read and how many remain. We can flip pages to reread text as needed. Some research suggests we process information more effectively when we recruit multiple senses, and multiple brain areas, during task learning — seeing the words, feeling the weight of the pages, and even smelling the paper.

What Happens Next?

Instead of getting better at digital reading, we may be getting worse. A study examining reading comprehension research between 2000 and 2017 indicates it’s harder to comprehend digital text. The researchers found print’s advantages are greater now than in 2000. In other words, this digital-reading problem isn’t going away.

“This [finding may] have to do with the shallowing hypothesis,” Mangen says. “The habits that we acquire when we read on screens are spilling over, and we’re trying to cope by reading faster and more superficially.”

Mangen and Singer Trakhman agree we shouldn’t ditch digital reading; instead we should consider the situation when choosing our reading medium.

“I’ll never say that everyone should be reading print all the time,” says Singer Trakhman. “People are always shocked to hear that I have a Kindle, and I love my Kindle. But I only use it when I’m reading for pleasure.”

To retain on-screen text information, Singer Trakham and Mangen suggest slowing down and handwriting main takeaways. (Typing works, but handwriting is likely a superior memory tool.) 

When you need a break from the digital world, don’t underestimate the power of paper and ink. Consider turning off your electronic devices, getting a book, and curling up to turn the page.

About the Author

kerry benson photo

Kerry Benson

Kerry Benson is a writer and neuroscience enthusiast who received a neuroscience degree from Connecticut College in 2016 and a master’s in science writing from Johns Hopkins University in 2018.

CONTENT PROVIDED BY

BrainFacts/SfN

Discussion Questions

1) What are the advantages of print reading over digital?

2) What areas of the brain respond when we read print text?

3) Why do researchers think it’s getting harder to comprehend digital text?

Delgado, P., Vargas, C., Ackerman, R., & Salmerón, L. (2018). Don’t throw away your printed books: A meta-analysis on the effects of reading media on reading comprehension. Educational Research Review, 25 , 23–38. doi: 10.1016/j.edurev.2018.09.003

Garland, K. J., & Noyes, J. M. (2004). CRT monitors: Do they interfere with learning? Behaviour & Information Technology, 23 (1), 43–52. doi: 10.1080/01449290310001638504

Hou, J., Rashid, J., & Lee, K. M. (2017). Cognitive map or medium materiality? Reading on paper and screen. Computers in Human Behavior, 67 , 84–94. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.10.014

Lauterman, T., & Ackerman, R. (2014). Overcoming screen inferiority in learning and calibration. Computers in Human Behavior, 35 , 455–463. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.046

Mangen, A., Olivier, G., & Velay, J.-L. (2019). Comparing Comprehension of a Long Text Read in Print Book and on Kindle: Where in the Text and When in the Story? Frontiers in Psychology, 10 , 38. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00038

Mangen, A., Walgermo, B. R., & Brønnick, K. (2013). Reading linear texts on paper versus computer screen: Effects on reading comprehension. International Journal of Educational Research, 58 , 61–68. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2012.12.002

Mayer, K. M., Yildiz, I. B., Macedonia, M., & von Kriegstein, K. (2015). Visual and Motor Cortices Differentially Support the Translation of Foreign Language Words. Current Biology, 25 (4), 530–535. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.11.068

Millward Brown Case Study—Using Neuroscience to Understand. (2009). Retrieved from https://www.millwardbrown.com/docs/default-source/insight-documents/case-studies/MillwardBrown_CaseStudy_Neuroscience.pdf

Singer Trakhman, L., & Alexander, P. (2016). Reading Across Mediums: Effects of Reading Digital and Print Texts on Comprehension and Calibration. The Journal of Experimental Education . doi: 10.1080/00220973.2016.1143794

Smoker, T. J., Murphy, C. E., & Rockwell, A. K. (2009). Comparing Memory for Handwriting versus Typing. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 53 (22), 1744–1747. doi: 10.1177/154193120905302218

Yan, Z., Hu, L., Chen, H., & Lu, F. (2008). Computer Vision Syndrome: A widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among computer users. Including the Special Issue: Internet Empowerment, 24 (5), 2026–2042. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2007.09.004

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Three-in-ten americans now read e-books.

research paper vs books

Americans are spreading their book consumption across several formats. The share of adults who have read print books in the past 12 months still outpaces the share using other forms, but 30% now say they have read an e-book in that time frame.  

A line graph showing that print books continue to be more popular than e-books or audiobooks

Overall, 75% of U.S. adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, whether completely or part way through, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2011, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, 2021. Print books remain the most popular format for reading, with 65% of adults saying that they have read a print book in the past year.

While shares of print book readers and audiobook listeners remain mostly unchanged from a Center survey conducted in 2019, there has been an uptick in the share of Americans who report reading e-books, from 25% to 30%.

Pew Research Center has studied how Americans read books for years. For this analysis, we surveyed 1,502 U.S. adults from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, 2021, by cellphone and landline phone. The survey was conducted by interviewers under the direction of Abt Associates and is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, education and other categories. Here are  the questions, responses and methodology used  for this analysis.

Americans read an average (mean) of roughly 14 books during the previous 12 months and the typical (median) American read five books in that period, according to the survey. These figures are identical to 2011 , when the Center first began conducting surveys of Americans’ book reading habits.  

A pie chart showing that a third of Americans say they read both print and digital books in the past year

Despite growth in certain digital formats, it remains the case that relatively few Americans only consume digital books (which include audiobooks and e-books) to the exclusion of print. Some 33% of Americans read in these digital formats and also read print books, while 32% say they read only print books. Just 9% of Americans say they only read books in digital formats and have not read any print books in the past 12 months.

Demographic differences in book reading in 2021 are similar to the patterns seen in past Center surveys . For example, adults who have a bachelor’s or advanced degree are more likely to be book readers than those who have only attended some college and those with a high school education or less, and adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely to read books than those 65 and older. At the same time, patterns of book consumption among a few groups changed since 2019. Some examples:

Adults with lower incomes – The share of adults with an annual household income of less than $30,000 who have listened to an audiobook has increased 8 percentage points since 2019 (22% vs. 14%).  

Urban adults – The share of American adults living in urban communities who say they have read a book in any format in the previous 12 months grew from 75% in 2019 to 81% now – an increase of 6 percentage points.

The table below covers how different groups reported their reading habits in the survey.

A bar chart showing that college graduates are especially likely to say they read books in any format

Note: Here are  the questions, responses and methodology used  for this analysis. This is an update of a post by Andrew Perrin originally published Sept. 1, 2016.

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In changing u.s. electorate, race and education remain stark dividing lines, facts on foreign students in the u.s., book reading 2016, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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Covering Innovation & Inequality in Education

Evidence increases for reading on paper instead of screens

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research paper vs books

Virginia Clinton prefers to read on a screen. Her love affair with digital texts began when she was a new mother, juggling the workload of a young academic with diapers and feedings. “I have warm, fuzzy memories of rocking my babies to sleep and reading one-handed on my phone,” Clinton said.

As an assistant professor of education at the University of North Dakota, Clinton had encouraged her students to save money on textbooks and buy cheaper digital versions or use free materials online. Her research specialty was reading comprehension. According to theories she learned in graduate school, she recalled, there should be no difference between reading on paper and reading on a screen.

But many of her education students told her they preferred paper, she said. Clinton decided to delve into at all the studies published since 2008 about reading on screens. She compiled results from 33 high-quality studies that tested students’ comprehension after they were randomly assigned to read on a screen or on paper and found that her students might be right.

The studies showed that students of all ages, from elementary school to college, tend to absorb more when they’re reading on paper than on screens, particularly when it comes to nonfiction material. “Sometimes you should print it out, especially if it’s long,” said Clinton.

Clinton now tells her students to order the book if they prefer reading paper. “It’s enough of a benefit that it’s worth the paper and ink and the cost of the book,” she said.

Related: A textbook dilemma: Digital or paper?

The benefit for reading on paper was rather small, after averaging the studies together, Clinton said. But 29 of the 33 laboratory studies found that readers learned more from text on paper.

Clinton’s analysis , published earlier in 2019, is now at least the third study to synthesize reputable research on reading comprehension in the digital age and find that paper is better. It was preceded by a 2017 review by scholars at the University of Maryland and a 2018 meta-analysis by scholars in Spain and Israel. The international analysis arrived at nearly the same numerical conclusion as Clinton’s study. Paper beat screens by more than a fifth of a standard deviation. (Scholars argue over how to interpret these statistical units. For controlled laboratory studies like these, it’s a small advantage.)

The mounting research evidence against screens is important because it clashes with textbook publishers’ long-term plans to emphasize digital texts. Pearson, the largest textbook publisher in North America, announced in July 2019 that it was moving to a “ digital first” strategy . Books will still be available to rent but students will be discouraged from buying them by higher prices, fewer updates and limited availability.

This reading research also runs counter to well-intended advice for students to save money. A July 2019 report from the National Association of College Stores shows a record high 22 percent of college students are using free online course materials, up from 3 percent in 2015. Thanks to free online texts, overall spending on materials has decreased.

For proponents of digital texts, there is plenty to quibble about in the current research. The studies that Clinton included in her analysis didn’t allow students to take advantage of the extra bells and whistles that digital texts can potentially offer. Some argue that these add-ons — such as pop-up quizzes in the middle of a reading passage to check for comprehension or instant definitions of unfamiliar words  — are what give digital text an edge. In Clinton’s underlying studies, students could only interact with a digital text as they do on paper. That pretty much restricted students to highlighting and note taking.

“My findings weren’t fair to screens because the screens couldn’t offer everything they could,” Clinton said. “They were really just a shiny piece of paper.”

Still, there isn’t yet convincing proof that the digital add-ons improve reading comprehension or even match the reading comprehension that students can achieve with text on paper. Well-designed studies to test this don’t exist.  Clinton is planning to study reading comprehension with digital add-ons in her laboratory to see if digital texts will get better results.

Why students don’t read as well on screens is a fascinating question. Some experts think the glare and flicker of screens tax the brain more than paper. Others argue that spatial memory for the location of a passage or a chart on a physical paper page can help a student recall information. Digital distraction and the temptation to browse or multi-task is an obvious problem in the real world. But internet browsing or app checking wasn’t allowed in the controlled conditions of these laboratory studies.

The Maryland researchers who conducted the 2017 review thought that people were reading too fast on screens. But in Clinton’s collection of studies, she didn’t find any difference in reading time between the two formats.

Instead, Clinton suspects that the problem might be one of rampant self-delusion by screen readers. In many of the lab studies, readers answered questions on how well they thought they had performed in the experiment. Screen readers consistently overestimated their reading comprehension. Paper readers were more accurate in their self-judgments.

The excessive confidence of screen readers is important, Clinton said, because people who overestimate their abilities are likely to put in less effort. The less effort a person puts into a reading passage, the less they are likely to comprehend. That’s because reading comprehension, like all learning, isn’t easy and requires work.

Genre also matters. When Clinton separated out the studies that had students read narrative fiction, there was no benefit to paper over screens. (So, go ahead and read Jane Austen on a Kindle.) But for nonfiction information texts, the advantage for paper stands out.

What does this mean for teachers and parents? That depends a bit on the student’s age, Clinton said. For college students, she advises picking the format they personally prefer. For most students, that will be paper.

But increasingly, there won’t always be a paper version. And this is where Clinton recommends that professors take extra time to show students how to read a digital text more effectively by, for example, periodically self-checking for comprehension.

Usually elementary and high school teachers don’t have the flexibility to offer a text both ways. When forced to teach with a digital text, Clinton advises teachers to have students “explain more what they’re reading.”

“Ideally, I would like to see both [paper and digital] in the classroom,” she said. “That way kids are developing screen and technology skills and they’re also learning and getting the help of paper for developing reading skills.”

Her advice to parents is to remember that any reading — screen or paper — is good for children. Clinton says her own children like the games they can play as rewards as they move through an e-book series. Those kind of rewards can sometimes motivate kids to read more. “But if you have a child who has a hard time focusing when they’re reading — that complaint is common with screens — then paper might be helpful,” she said.

Clinton said both parents and teachers need to teach children how to manage and regulate their behavior on screens in order to benefit from them.

In the meantime, the researcher herself remains a screen reader. “I don’t like paper,” Clinton said, “because I keep losing it.”

This story about paper vs. digital reading was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report , a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the  Hechinger newsletter .

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You can not imagine how many times I have argued this point in meetings, workshops, and conversations with younger teachers boasting “paperless classrooms” as the newest wave in education!!! Reading comprehension is just not there for most children reading on screens!!!! And students continue to need paper and pen to organize ideas for writing essays! Keep the evidence coming in support of paper learning along with the newest technologies!

I am a research and have to read thick technical books all the time. I absolutely agree with Riposta because using digital books are no different to turning on a computer while studying. The amount of distraction just made me turn off my computer so I can stay focused because there are so much information online. Reading technical information on paper with highlighters and pencil allows me to visualize the theory into diagrams while reading and this becomes logic to solutions just by looking at the problems. Reading digitally is no different from reading off internet but the advantage of digital book is people can copy and paste from digital books to word processors instead of highlighting to condense a book into personal notes. The screen really is taxing brain power to focus on materials like reading insurance details and legal documents.

I think that the glass is half full and not half empty. A number of meta-analyses and literature reviews have found that there is no negative effect for the reading of (long ) narrative texts. Meanwhile, for K-12 students reading of narrative texts (fiction) is associated with a number of better outcomes, including higher PISA scores. For adolescents the conclusion might equally be ”Read more fiction and don’t worry about the medium”.. or as the they say – Take care of the pennies and pounds will take care of themselves.

I highly value reading on hard paper, but I am not sure if it is because I am a product of the 90s and grew up in a paper-only educational environment. Today, when I have to read anything over 10 pages, I absorb it so much better on printed paper. I like to highlight, use my pen to guide my way through the sentences, turn the page, write notes on the side…it is much less stressful and overwhelming than seeing a tiny slider on the side of my screen showing how little progress I’ve made, and how much more eye strain I must endure. I’ve also noticed my attention span is significantly slimmer when reading on a screen versus paper. I have wondered if there is more to it neurologically, if some minds respond adversely to screens and therefore, it is a deterrent to meaningful learning. I don’t think paper versions of texts should die out, but stay as a method for those of us who prefer it!

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Articles, Books, and . . . ? Understanding the Many Types of Information Found in Libraries

  • Reference Sources

Academic Journals

Magazines and trade journals, conference papers, technical reports, anthologies.

  • Documents and Reports
  • Non-Text Content
  • Archival Materials

Because of their short length, articles often exclude background info and explanations, so they're usually the last stop in your research process, after you've narrowed down your topic and need to find very specific information.

The main thing to remember about articles is that they're almost always published in some larger work , like a journal, a newspaper, or an anthology. It's those "article containers" that define the types of articles, how you use them, and how you find them.

Articles are also the main reason we have so many databases . The Library Catalog lists everything we own, but only at the level of whole books and journals. It will tell you we have the New York Times, and for what dates, but it doesn't know what articles are in it. Search in UC Library Search using the "Articles, books, and more" scope will search all the databases we subscribe to and some we don't. If you find something we do not own, you can request it on Interlibrary Loan.

Physical Media

While newer journals and magazines are usually online, many older issues are still only available in paper. In addition, many of our online subscriptions explicitly don't include the latest material, specifically to encourage sales of print subscriptions. Older newspapers are usually transferred to microfilm.

Scholarly Sources

The terms academic or scholarly journal are usually synonymous with peer-reviewed , but check the journal's publishing policies to be sure. Trade journals, magazines, and newspapers are rarely peer-reviewed.

Primary or Secondary Sources

In the social sciences and humanities, articles are usually secondary sources; the exceptions are articles reporting original research findings from field studies. Primary source articles are more common in the physical and life sciences, where many articles are reporting primary research results from experiments, case studies, and clinical trials.

research paper vs books

Clues that you're reading an academic article

  • Abstract at beginning
  • Footnotes or endnotes
  • Bilbliography or list of references

Articles in academic (peer-reviewed) journals are the primary forum for scholarly communication, where scholars introduce and debate new ideas and research. They're usually not written for laymen, and assume familiarity with other recent work in the field. Journal articles also tend to be narrowly focused, concentrating on analysis of one or two creative works or studies, though they may also contain review articles or literature reviews which summarize recent published work in a field.

In addition to regular articles, academic journals often include book reviews (of scholarly books ) and letters from readers commenting on recent articles.

research paper vs books

Clues that you're reading a non -academic article

  • No abstract, footnotes or endnotes
  • Decorative photos
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Unlike scholarly journals, magazines are written for a mainstream audience and are not peer-reviewed. A handful of academic journals (like Science and Nature ) blur the line between these two categories; they publish peer-reviewed articles, but combine them with news, opinions, and full-color photos in a magazine-style presentation.

Trade journals are targeted toward a specific profession or industry. Despite the name, they are usually not peer-reviewed. However, they sometimes represent a gray area between popular magazines and scholarly journals. When in doubt, ask your professor or TA whether a specific source is acceptable.

Newspapers as Primary Sources

Though usually written by journalists who were not direct witnesses to events, newspapers and news broadcasts may include quotes or interviews from people who were. In the absence of first-person accounts, contemporary news reports may be the closest thing to a primary source available.

Of all the content types listed here, newspapers are the fastest to publish. Use newspaper articles to find information about recent events and contemporary reports of/reactions to historic events.

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Reviews are a type of article that can appear in any of the categories above. The type of publication will usually determine the type of review. Newspapers and magazines review movies, plays, general interest books, and consumer products. Academic journals review scholarly books.

Note that a review is not the same as scholarly analysis and criticism! Book reviews, even in scholarly journals, are usually not peer-reviewed.

research paper vs books

Conference papers aren't always published and can be tricky to find . Recent conference papers are often online, along with the PowerPoint files or other materials used in the actual presentation. However, access may be limited to conference participants and/or members of the academic organization which sponsored the conference.

In paper formats, all of the papers from a certain conference may be re-printed in the conference proceedings . Search for Proceedings of the [name of conference] to find what's available, or ask for help from a librarian. But be aware that published proceedings may only include abstracts or even just the name of the presenter and the title of the presentation. This is especially true of poster presentations , which really are large graphic posters (which don't translate well to either printed books or computer monitors).

As the name implies, most technical reports are about research in the physical sciences or engineering. However, there are also technical reports produced in the life and social sciences,

research paper vs books

Like conference papers , some technical reports are eventually transformed into academic journal articles , but they may also be released after a journal article to provide supplementary data that didn't fit within the article. Also like conference papers, technical reports can be hard to find , especially older reports which may only be available in microfiche . Ask for help from a librarian!

Anthologies are a cross-over example. They're books that contain articles (chapters). Anthologies may be collections of articles by a single author, or collections of articles on a theme from different authors chosen by an editor. Many anthologies reprint articles already published elsewhere, but some contain original works.

Anthologies are rarely peer-reviewed, but they still may be considered scholarly works, depending on the reputation of the authors and editors. Use the same criteria listed for scholarly books .

Of course, reprints of articles originally published in peer-reviewed journals retain their "scholarly" status. (Note that most style manuals have special rules for citing reprinted works.)

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Science News Explores

Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper.

One size doesn’t fit all situations. But for now, experts say, don’t throw away your books

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Computers are very much a part of education today. But books and paper are still a good way to learn information. Depending on the material, they can be the easiest way, studies find.

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October 18, 2021 at 6:30 am

Want to know the current population of India? The internet is your best bet. Need a quick refresher on the phases of the moon ? Go ahead, read a story online (or two or three). But if you really need to learn something, you’re probably better off with print. Or at least that’s what a lot of research now suggests.

Many studies have shown that when people read on-screen, they don’t understand what they’ve read as well as when they read in print. Even worse, many don’t realize they’re not getting it. For example, researchers in Spain and Israel took a close look at 54 studies comparing digital and print reading. Their 2018 study involved more than 171,000 readers. Comprehension, they found, was better overall when people read print rather than digital texts. The researchers shared the results in Educational Research Review .

Patricia Alexander is a psychologist at the University of Maryland in College Park. She studies how we learn. Much of her research has delved into the differences between reading in print and on-screen. Alexander says students often think they learn more from reading online. When tested, though, it turns out that they actually learned less than when reading in print.

The question is: Why?

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Reading is reading, right? Not exactly. Maryanne Wolf works at the University of California, Los Angeles. This neuroscientist specializes in how the brain reads. Reading is not natural, she explains. We learn to talk by listening to those around us. It’s pretty automatic. But learning to read takes real work. Wolf notes it’s because the brain has no special network of cells just for reading.

To understand text, the brain borrows networks that evolved to do other things. For example, the part that evolved to recognize faces is called into action to recognize letters. This is similar to how you might adapt a tool for some new use. For example, a coat hanger is great for putting your clothes in the closet. But if a blueberry rolls under the refrigerator, you might straighten out the coat hanger and use it to reach under the fridge and pull out the fruit. You’ve taken a tool made for one thing and adapted it for something new. That’s what the brain does when you read.

It’s great that the brain is so flexible. It’s one reason we can learn to do so many new things. But that flexibility can be a problem when it comes to reading different types of texts. When we read online, the brain creates a different set of connections between cells from the ones it uses for reading in print. It basically adapts the same tool again for the new task. This is like if you took a coat hanger and instead of straightening it out to fetch a blueberry, you twisted it into a hook to unclog a drain. Same original tool, two very different forms.

As a result, the brain might slip into skim mode when you’re reading on a screen. It may switch to deep-reading mode when you turn to print.

a teen girl scrolls down a smartphone screen

That doesn’t just depend on the device, however. It also depends on what you assume about the text. Naomi Baron calls this your mindset. Baron is a scientist who studies language and reading. She works at American University in Washington, D.C. Baron is the author of How We Read Now , a new book about digital reading and learning. She says one way mindset works is in anticipating how easy or hard we expect the reading to be. If we think it will be easy, we might not put in much effort.

Much of what we read on-screen tends to be text messages and social-media posts. They’re usually easy to understand. So, “when people read on-screen, they read faster,” says Alexander at the University of Maryland. “Their eyes scan the pages and the words faster than if they’re reading on a piece of paper.”

But when reading fast, we may not absorb all the ideas as well. That fast skimming, she says, can become a habit associated with reading on-screen. Imagine that you turn on your phone to read an assignment for school. Your brain might fire up the networks it uses for skimming quickly through TikTok posts. That’s not helpful if you’re trying to understand the themes in that classic book, To Kill a Mockingbird . It also won’t get you far if you’re preparing for a test on the periodic table .

Where was I?

Speed isn’t the only problem with reading on screens. There’s scrolling, too. When reading a printed page or even a whole book, you tend to know where you are. Not just where you are on some particular page, but which page — potentially out of many. You might, for instance, remember that the part in the story where the dog died was near the top of the page on the left side. You don’t have that sense of place when some enormously long page just scrolls past you. (Though some e-reading devices and apps do a pretty good job of simulating page turns.)

Why is a sense of page important? Researchers have shown that we tend to make mental maps when we learn something. Being able to “place” a fact somewhere on a mental map of the page helps us remember it.

It’s also a matter of mental effort. Scrolling down a page takes a lot more mental work than reading a page that’s not moving. Your eyes don’t just focus on the words. They also have to keep chasing the words as you scroll them down the page.

Mary Helen Immordino-Yang is a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She studies how we read. When your mind has to keep up with scrolling down a page, she says, it doesn’t have a lot of resources left for understanding what you’re reading. This can be especially true if the passage you’re reading is long or complicated. While scrolling down a page, your brain has to continually account for the placement of words in your view. And this can make it harder for you to simultaneously understand the ideas those words should convey.

Alexander found that length matters, too. When passages are short, students understand just as much of what they read on-screen as do when reading in print. But once the passages are longer than 500 words, they learn more from print.

a boy lies on the couch while reading from a tablet screen

Even genre matters. Genre refers to what type of book or article you’re reading. The articles here on Science News for Students are nonfiction. News stories and articles about history are nonfiction. Stories invented by an author are fiction. The Harry Potter books are fiction, for example. So are Song for a Whale and A Wrinkle in Time .

In How We Read Now , Baron reviewed much of the research that’s been published about reading online. Most studies showed people understand nonfiction better when they read it in print. How it affects the understanding of fictional accounts is less clear.

Jenae Cohn works at California State University, Sacramento. Her work focuses on the use of technology in education. This past June, she published a book about digital reading: Skim, Dive, Surface . The biggest problem may not be the words on the screen, she finds. It’s the other things that pop up and get in the way of reading. It can be difficult to concentrate when something interrupts you every few minutes. She’s referring to pings and rings from texts or emails, pop-up advertisements and TikTok updates. All can quickly ruin concentration. Links and boxes that are meant to add to your understanding can be a problem, too. Even when they’re meant to be helpful, some can prove a distraction from what you’re reading.

Not all bad

If you want to do better in school (and who doesn’t?), it’s not quite as simple as turning off your tablet and picking up a book. There are plenty of good reasons to read on screens.

As the pandemic taught us, sometimes we have no choice. When libraries and bookstores close or it’s dangerous to visit them, digital reading can be a lifesaver. Expense is also an important factor. Digital books usually cost less than print ones. And, of course, you have to consider the environmental advantages of digital. It doesn’t take trees to make a digital book.

Digital reading has other advantages, too. In most cases, when you’re reading on-screen you can adjust the size of the letters. You also can change the background color and maybe the typeface. This is a huge help for people who don’t see well. It’s also useful for people with reading disabilities. People who have dyslexia, for instance, often find it easier to read material when it’s displayed in a typeface called Open Dyslexic . Computers, tablets and digital reading devices, such as Amazon’s Kindle, can offer this option. Many e-readers have apps that can be used on tablets, too. That makes it possible to get these advantages on a tablet or phone.

Reading online also allows editors to insert hyperlinks. These may help a reader dive deeper to understand a particular point or even just to learn the definition of a term that may be new or confusing.

a girl wearing overalls and glasses sits on a couch and reads on a tablet screen

Michelle Luhtala is a school librarian in New Canaan, Conn. She helps her school make the best use of digital material. She also trains teachers. Luhtala is not alarmed about digital reading. She points out that there are many ways to read on screens. Some e-textbooks and databases used in schools come with tools that make it easier, not harder, to learn, she says. Some e-books, for instance, let you highlight a passage. Then the computer will read it out loud. Other tools allow you to make notes about passages you’re reading and keep those notes after you’ve returned a book to the library. Most of these texts have pop-up definitions. Some link to maps, keywords and quizzes. Such tools can make digital material extremely useful, she argues.

Getting the most out of your digital reading

All experts agree on one thing: There’s no going back. Digital reading is here to stay. So it pays to make the most of it.

One obvious trick: Print anything that needs careful reading. You have this option when reading Science News for Students . (There’s a print icon at the top of every article.) But that may not be necessary. Other things can also make sure you retain the most from what you read on screens.

The most important thing, says Baron at American University, is to slow down. Again, this is about mindset. When you read something important, slow down and pay attention. “You can concentrate when you read digitally,” she says. But you have to make an effort. She suggests saying to yourself, “I’m going to take half an hour and just read. No text messages. No Instagram updates.” Turn off notifications on your phone or tablet. Only turn them back on when you’re done reading.

It’s also a good idea to do a little prep. Baron compares reading to sports or to playing music. “Watch a pianist or an athlete. Before they run the race or play the concerto, they get themselves in the zone,” she says. “It’s the same thing for reading. Before you read something you really want to focus on, get in the zone. Think about what you’ll be reading, and what you want to get from it.”

a boy sits at a bedroom desk with a book and laptop open in front of him

To really get the most from reading, Baron says, you have to engage with the words on the page. One great technique for this is making notes. You can write summaries of what you’ve read. You can make lists of key words. But one of the most useful ways to engage with what you’re reading is to ask questions. Argue with the author. If something doesn’t make sense, write down your question. You can look up the answer later. If you disagree, write down why. Make a good case for your point of view.

If you’re reading a print book, you can take notes on paper. If it’s a printout or if you own the book, you can write directly on the page. You can do this when you’re reading on your phone or tablet, too. Just keep a pad of paper handy while you read. Many apps also allow you to make virtual notes directly on a digital document, Luhtala points out. Some allow you to add virtual stickies. With some you can even write in the margins and turn down the corners of the virtual pages.

Like most things, what you get from reading on-screen depends on what you put into it. You don’t have to make a choice between print or digital. Alexander points out that when it comes to print versus digital, one is not better than the other. Both have their place. But they are different. So keep in mind that to learn well, how you interact with them may have to differ, too.

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How to Write a Research Paper | A Beginner's Guide

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on in-depth independent research.

Research papers are similar to academic essays , but they are usually longer and more detailed assignments, designed to assess not only your writing skills but also your skills in scholarly research. Writing a research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic, engage with a variety of sources, and make an original contribution to the debate.

This step-by-step guide takes you through the entire writing process, from understanding your assignment to proofreading your final draft.

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Table of contents

Understand the assignment, choose a research paper topic, conduct preliminary research, develop a thesis statement, create a research paper outline, write a first draft of the research paper, write the introduction, write a compelling body of text, write the conclusion, the second draft, the revision process, research paper checklist, free lecture slides.

Completing a research paper successfully means accomplishing the specific tasks set out for you. Before you start, make sure you thoroughly understanding the assignment task sheet:

  • Read it carefully, looking for anything confusing you might need to clarify with your professor.
  • Identify the assignment goal, deadline, length specifications, formatting, and submission method.
  • Make a bulleted list of the key points, then go back and cross completed items off as you’re writing.

Carefully consider your timeframe and word limit: be realistic, and plan enough time to research, write, and edit.

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There are many ways to generate an idea for a research paper, from brainstorming with pen and paper to talking it through with a fellow student or professor.

You can try free writing, which involves taking a broad topic and writing continuously for two or three minutes to identify absolutely anything relevant that could be interesting.

You can also gain inspiration from other research. The discussion or recommendations sections of research papers often include ideas for other specific topics that require further examination.

Once you have a broad subject area, narrow it down to choose a topic that interests you, m eets the criteria of your assignment, and i s possible to research. Aim for ideas that are both original and specific:

  • A paper following the chronology of World War II would not be original or specific enough.
  • A paper on the experience of Danish citizens living close to the German border during World War II would be specific and could be original enough.

Note any discussions that seem important to the topic, and try to find an issue that you can focus your paper around. Use a variety of sources , including journals, books, and reliable websites, to ensure you do not miss anything glaring.

Do not only verify the ideas you have in mind, but look for sources that contradict your point of view.

  • Is there anything people seem to overlook in the sources you research?
  • Are there any heated debates you can address?
  • Do you have a unique take on your topic?
  • Have there been some recent developments that build on the extant research?

In this stage, you might find it helpful to formulate some research questions to help guide you. To write research questions, try to finish the following sentence: “I want to know how/what/why…”

A thesis statement is a statement of your central argument — it establishes the purpose and position of your paper. If you started with a research question, the thesis statement should answer it. It should also show what evidence and reasoning you’ll use to support that answer.

The thesis statement should be concise, contentious, and coherent. That means it should briefly summarize your argument in a sentence or two, make a claim that requires further evidence or analysis, and make a coherent point that relates to every part of the paper.

You will probably revise and refine the thesis statement as you do more research, but it can serve as a guide throughout the writing process. Every paragraph should aim to support and develop this central claim.

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A research paper outline is essentially a list of the key topics, arguments, and evidence you want to include, divided into sections with headings so that you know roughly what the paper will look like before you start writing.

A structure outline can help make the writing process much more efficient, so it’s worth dedicating some time to create one.

Your first draft won’t be perfect — you can polish later on. Your priorities at this stage are as follows:

  • Maintaining forward momentum — write now, perfect later.
  • Paying attention to clear organization and logical ordering of paragraphs and sentences, which will help when you come to the second draft.
  • Expressing your ideas as clearly as possible, so you know what you were trying to say when you come back to the text.

You do not need to start by writing the introduction. Begin where it feels most natural for you — some prefer to finish the most difficult sections first, while others choose to start with the easiest part. If you created an outline, use it as a map while you work.

Do not delete large sections of text. If you begin to dislike something you have written or find it doesn’t quite fit, move it to a different document, but don’t lose it completely — you never know if it might come in useful later.

Paragraph structure

Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of research papers. Each one should focus on a single claim or idea that helps to establish the overall argument or purpose of the paper.

Example paragraph

George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language” has had an enduring impact on thought about the relationship between politics and language. This impact is particularly obvious in light of the various critical review articles that have recently referenced the essay. For example, consider Mark Falcoff’s 2009 article in The National Review Online, “The Perversion of Language; or, Orwell Revisited,” in which he analyzes several common words (“activist,” “civil-rights leader,” “diversity,” and more). Falcoff’s close analysis of the ambiguity built into political language intentionally mirrors Orwell’s own point-by-point analysis of the political language of his day. Even 63 years after its publication, Orwell’s essay is emulated by contemporary thinkers.

Citing sources

It’s also important to keep track of citations at this stage to avoid accidental plagiarism . Each time you use a source, make sure to take note of where the information came from.

You can use our free citation generators to automatically create citations and save your reference list as you go.

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The research paper introduction should address three questions: What, why, and how? After finishing the introduction, the reader should know what the paper is about, why it is worth reading, and how you’ll build your arguments.

What? Be specific about the topic of the paper, introduce the background, and define key terms or concepts.

Why? This is the most important, but also the most difficult, part of the introduction. Try to provide brief answers to the following questions: What new material or insight are you offering? What important issues does your essay help define or answer?

How? To let the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper, the introduction should include a “map” of what will be discussed, briefly presenting the key elements of the paper in chronological order.

The major struggle faced by most writers is how to organize the information presented in the paper, which is one reason an outline is so useful. However, remember that the outline is only a guide and, when writing, you can be flexible with the order in which the information and arguments are presented.

One way to stay on track is to use your thesis statement and topic sentences . Check:

  • topic sentences against the thesis statement;
  • topic sentences against each other, for similarities and logical ordering;
  • and each sentence against the topic sentence of that paragraph.

Be aware of paragraphs that seem to cover the same things. If two paragraphs discuss something similar, they must approach that topic in different ways. Aim to create smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections.

The research paper conclusion is designed to help your reader out of the paper’s argument, giving them a sense of finality.

Trace the course of the paper, emphasizing how it all comes together to prove your thesis statement. Give the paper a sense of finality by making sure the reader understands how you’ve settled the issues raised in the introduction.

You might also discuss the more general consequences of the argument, outline what the paper offers to future students of the topic, and suggest any questions the paper’s argument raises but cannot or does not try to answer.

You should not :

  • Offer new arguments or essential information
  • Take up any more space than necessary
  • Begin with stock phrases that signal you are ending the paper (e.g. “In conclusion”)

There are four main considerations when it comes to the second draft.

  • Check how your vision of the paper lines up with the first draft and, more importantly, that your paper still answers the assignment.
  • Identify any assumptions that might require (more substantial) justification, keeping your reader’s perspective foremost in mind. Remove these points if you cannot substantiate them further.
  • Be open to rearranging your ideas. Check whether any sections feel out of place and whether your ideas could be better organized.
  • If you find that old ideas do not fit as well as you anticipated, you should cut them out or condense them. You might also find that new and well-suited ideas occurred to you during the writing of the first draft — now is the time to make them part of the paper.

The goal during the revision and proofreading process is to ensure you have completed all the necessary tasks and that the paper is as well-articulated as possible. You can speed up the proofreading process by using the AI proofreader .

Global concerns

  • Confirm that your paper completes every task specified in your assignment sheet.
  • Check for logical organization and flow of paragraphs.
  • Check paragraphs against the introduction and thesis statement.

Fine-grained details

Check the content of each paragraph, making sure that:

  • each sentence helps support the topic sentence.
  • no unnecessary or irrelevant information is present.
  • all technical terms your audience might not know are identified.

Next, think about sentence structure , grammatical errors, and formatting . Check that you have correctly used transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas. Look for typos, cut unnecessary words, and check for consistency in aspects such as heading formatting and spellings .

Finally, you need to make sure your paper is correctly formatted according to the rules of the citation style you are using. For example, you might need to include an MLA heading  or create an APA title page .

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Checklist: Research paper

I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet.

My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.

My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem and/or thesis statement .

My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings .

Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .

Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.

I have used appropriate transitions  to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences.

My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported.

My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic.

My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.

I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source.

I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style .

I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).

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November 1, 2013

12 min read

The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: Why Paper Still Beats Screens

E-readers and tablets are becoming more popular as such technologies improve, but reading on paper still has its advantages

By Ferris Jabr

One of the most provocative viral YouTube videos in the past two years begins mundanely enough: a one-year-old girl plays with an iPad, sweeping her fingers across its touch screen and shuffling groups of icons. In following scenes, she appears to pinch, swipe and prod the pages of paper magazines as though they, too, are screens. Melodramatically, the video replays these gestures in close-up.

For the girl's father, the video— A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work —is evidence of a generational transition. In an accompanying description, he writes, “Magazines are now useless and impossible to understand, for digital natives”—that is, for people who have been interacting with digital technologies from a very early age, surrounded not only by paper books and magazines but also by smartphones, Kindles and iPads.

Whether or not his daughter truly expected the magazines to behave like an iPad, the video brings into focus a question that is relevant to far more than the youngest among us: How exactly does the technology we use to read change the way we read?

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Since at least the 1980s researchers in psychology, computer engineering, and library and information science have published more than 100 studies exploring differences in how people read on paper and on screens. Before 1992 most experiments concluded that people read stories and articles on screens more slowly and remember less about them. As the resolution of screens on all kinds of devices sharpened, however, a more mixed set of findings began to emerge. Recent surveys suggest that although most people still prefer paper—especially when they need to concentrate for a long time—attitudes are changing as tablets and e-reading technology improve and as reading digital texts for facts and fun becomes more common. In the U.S., e-books currently make up more than 20 percent of all books sold to the general public.

Despite all the increasingly user-friendly and popular technology, most studies published since the early 1990s confirm earlier conclusions: paper still has advantages over screens as a reading medium. Together laboratory experiments, polls and consumer reports indicate that digital devices prevent people from efficiently navigating long texts, which may subtly inhibit reading comprehension. Compared with paper, screens may also drain more of our mental resources while we are reading and make it a little harder to remember what we read when we are done. Whether they realize it or not, people often approach computers and tablets with a state of mind less conducive to learning than the one they bring to paper. And e-readers fail to re-create certain tactile experiences of reading on paper, the absence of which some find unsettling.

“There is physicality in reading,” says cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf of Tufts University, “maybe even more than we want to think about as we lurch into digital reading—as we move forward perhaps with too little reflection. I would like to preserve the absolute best of older forms but know when to use the new.”

Textual Landscapes Understanding how reading on paper differs from reading on screens requires some explanation of how the human brain interprets written language. Although letters and words are symbols representing sounds and ideas, the brain also regards them as physical objects. As Wolf explains in her 2007 book Proust and the Squid , we are not born with brain circuits dedicated to reading, because we did not invent writing until relatively recently in our evolutionary history, around the fourth millennium b.c. So in childhood, the brain improvises a brand-new circuit for reading by weaving together various ribbons of neural tissue devoted to other abilities, such as speaking, motor coordination and vision.

Some of these repurposed brain regions specialize in object recognition: they help us instantly distinguish an apple from an orange, for example, based on their distinct features, yet classify both as fruit. Similarly, when we learn to read and write, we begin to recognize letters by their particular arrangements of lines, curves and hollow spaces—a tactile learning process that requires both our eyes and hands. In recent research by Karin James of Indiana University Bloomington, the reading circuits of five-year-old children crackled with activity when they practiced writing letters by hand but not when they typed letters on a keyboard. And when people read cursive writing or intricate characters such as Japanese kanji , the brain literally goes through the motions of writing, even if the hands are empty.

Beyond treating individual letters as physical objects, the human brain may also perceive a text in its entirety as a kind of physical landscape. When we read, we construct a mental representation of the text. The exact nature of such representations remains unclear, but some researchers think they are similar to the mental maps we create of terrain—such as mountains and trails—and of indoor physical spaces, such as apartments and offices. Both anecdotally and in published studies, people report that when trying to locate a particular passage in a book, they often remember where in the text it appeared. Much as we might recall that we passed the red farmhouse near the start of a hiking trail before we started climbing uphill through the forest, we remember that we read about Mr. Darcy rebuffing Elizabeth Bennett at a dance on the bottom left corner of the left-hand page in one of the earlier chapters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice .

In most cases, paper books have more obvious topography than on-screen text. An open paper book presents a reader with two clearly defined domains—the left- and right-hand pages—and a total of eight corners with which to orient oneself. You can focus on a single page of a paper book without losing awareness of the whole text. You can even feel the thickness of the pages you have read in one hand and the pages you have yet to read in the other. Turning the pages of a paper book is like leaving one footprint after another on a trail—there is a rhythm to it and a visible record of how far one has traveled. All these features not only make the text in a paper book easily navigable, they also make it easier to form a coherent mental map of that text.

In contrast, most digital devices interfere with intuitive navigation of a text and inhibit people from mapping the journey in their mind. A reader of digital text might scroll through a seamless stream of words, tap forward one page at a time or use the search function to immediately locate a particular phrase—but it is difficult to see any one passage in the context of the entire text. As an analogy, imagine if Google Maps allowed people to navigate street by individual street, as well as to teleport to any specific address, but prevented them from zooming out to see a neighborhood, state or country. Likewise, glancing at a progress bar gives a far more vague sense of place than feeling the weight of read and unread pages. And although e-readers and tablets replicate pagination, the displayed pages are ephemeral. Once read, those pages vanish. Instead of hiking the trail yourself, you watch the trees, rocks and moss pass by in flashes, with no tangible trace of what came before and no easy way to see what lies ahead.

“The implicit feel of where you are in a physical book turns out to be more important than we realized,” says Abigail J. Sellen of Microsoft Research Cambridge in England, who co-authored the 2001 book The Myth of the Paperless Office . “Only when you get an e-book do you start to miss it. I don't think e-book manufacturers have thought enough about how you might visualize where you are in a book.”

Exhaustive Reading At least a few studies suggest that screens sometimes impair comprehension precisely because they distort people's sense of place in a text. In a January 2013 study by Anne Mangen of the University of Stavanger in Norway and her colleagues, 72 10th grade students studied one narrative and one expository text. Half the students read on paper, and half read PDF files on computers. Afterward, students completed reading comprehension tests, during which they had access to the texts. Students who read the texts on computers performed a little worse, most likely because they had to scroll or click through the PDFs one section at a time, whereas students reading on paper held the entire texts in their hands and quickly switched between different pages. “The ease with which you can find out the beginning, end, and everything in between and the constant connection to your path, your progress in the text, might be some way of making it less taxing cognitively,” Mangen says. “You have more free capacity for comprehension.”

Other researchers agree that screen-based reading can dull comprehension because it is more mentally taxing and even physically tiring than reading on paper. E-ink reflects ambient light just like the ink on a paper book, but computer screens, smartphones and tablets shine light directly on people's faces. Today's LCDs are certainly gentler on eyes than their predecessor, cathode-ray tube (CRT) screens, but prolonged reading on glossy, self-illuminated screens can cause eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision. In an experiment by Erik Wästlund, then at Karlstad University in Sweden, people who took a reading comprehension test on a computer scored lower and reported higher levels of stress and tiredness than people who completed it on paper.

In a related set of Wästlund's experiments, 82 volunteers completed the same reading comprehension test on computers, either as a paginated document or as a continuous piece of text. Afterward, researchers assessed the students' attention and working memory—a collection of mental talents allowing people to temporarily store and manipulate information in their mind. Volunteers had to quickly close a series of pop-up windows, for example, or remember digits that flashed on a screen. Like many cognitive abilities, working memory is a finite resource that diminishes with exertion.

Although people in both groups performed equally well, those who had to scroll through the unbroken text did worse on the attention and working memory tests. Wästlund thinks that scrolling—which requires readers to consciously focus on both the text and how they are moving it—drains more mental resources than turning or clicking a page, which are simpler and more automatic gestures. The more attention is diverted to moving through a text, the less is available for understanding it. A 2004 study conducted at the University of Central Florida reached similar conclusions.

An emerging collection of studies emphasizes that in addition to screens possibly leeching more attention than paper, people do not always bring as much mental effort to screens in the first place. Based on a detailed 2005 survey of 113 people in northern California, Ziming Liu of San Jose State University concluded that those reading on screens take a lot of shortcuts—they spend more time browsing, scanning and hunting for keywords compared with people reading on paper and are more likely to read a document once and only once.

When reading on screens, individuals seem less inclined to engage in what psychologists call metacognitive learning regulation—setting specific goals, rereading difficult sections and checking how much one has understood along the way. In a 2011 experiment at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, college students took multiple-choice exams about expository texts either on computers or on paper. Researchers limited half the volunteers to a meager seven minutes of study time; the other half could review the text for as long as they liked. When under pressure to read quickly, students using computers and paper performed equally well. When managing their own study time, however, volunteers using paper scored about 10 percentage points higher. Presumably, students using paper approached the exam with a more studious attitude than their screen-reading peers and more effectively directed their attention and working memory.

Even when studies find few differences in reading comprehension between screens and paper, screen readers may not remember a text as thoroughly in the long run. In a 2003 study Kate Garland, then at the University of Leicester in England, and her team asked 50 British college students to read documents from an introductory economics course either on a computer monitor or in a spiral-bound booklet. After 20 minutes of reading, Garland and her colleagues quizzed the students. Participants scored equally well regardless of the medium but differed in how they remembered the information.

Psychologists distinguish between remembering something—a relatively weak form of memory in which someone recalls a piece of information, along with contextual details, such as where and when one learned it—and knowing something: a stronger form of memory defined as certainty that something is true. While taking the quiz, Garland's volunteers marked both their answer and whether they “remembered” or “knew” the answer. Students who had read study material on a screen relied much more on remembering than on knowing, whereas students who read on paper depended equally on the two forms of memory. Garland and her colleagues think that students who read on paper learned the study material more thoroughly more quickly; they did not have to spend a lot of time searching their mind for information from the text—they often just knew the answers.

Perhaps any discrepancies in reading comprehension between paper and screens will shrink as people's attitudes continue to change. Maybe the star of A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work will grow up without the subtle bias against screens that seems to lurk among older generations. The latest research suggests, however, that substituting screens for paper at an early age has disadvantages that we should not write off so easily. A 2012 study at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center in New York City recruited 32 pairs of parents and three- to six-year-old children. Kids remembered more details from stories they read on paper than ones they read in e-books enhanced with interactive animations, videos and games. These bells and whistles deflected attention away from the narrative toward the device itself. In a follow-up survey of 1,226 parents, the majority reported that they and their children prefer print books over e-books when reading together.

Nearly identical results followed two studies, described this past September in Mind, Brain, and Education , by Julia Parrish-Morris, now at the University of Pennsylvania, and her colleagues. When reading paper books to their three- and five-year-old children, parents helpfully related the story to their child's life. But when reading a then popular electric console book with sound effects, parents frequently had to interrupt their usual “dialogic reading” to stop the child from fiddling with buttons and losing track of the narrative. Such distractions ultimately prevented the three-year-olds from understanding even the gist of the stories, but all the children followed the stories in paper books just fine.

Such preliminary research on early readers underscores a quality of paper that may be its greatest strength as a reading medium: its modesty. Admittedly, digital texts offer clear advantages in many different situations. When one is researching under deadline, the convenience of quickly accessing hundreds of keyword-searchable online documents vastly outweighs the benefits in comprehension and retention that come with dutifully locating and rifling through paper books one at a time in a library. And for people with poor vision, adjustable font size and the sharp contrast of an LCD screen are godsends. Yet paper, unlike screens, rarely calls attention to itself or shifts focus away from the text. Because of its simplicity, paper is “a still point, an anchor for the consciousness,” as William Powers writes in his 2006 essay “Hamlet's Blackberry: Why Paper Is Eternal.” People consistently report that when they really want to focus on a text, they read it on paper. In a 2011 survey of graduate students at National Taiwan University, the majority reported browsing a few paragraphs of an item online before printing out the whole text for more in-depth reading. And in a 2003 survey at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, nearly 80 percent of 687 students preferred to read text on paper rather than on a screen to “understand it with clarity.”

Beyond pragmatic considerations, the way we feel about a paper book or an e-reader—and the way it feels in our hands—also determines whether we buy a best-selling book in hardcover at a local bookstore or download it from Amazon. Surveys and consumer reports suggest that the sensory aspects of reading on paper matter to people more than one might assume: the feel of paper and ink; the option to smooth or fold a page with one's fingers; the distinctive sound a page makes when turned. So far digital texts have not satisfyingly replicated such sensations. Paper books also have an immediately discernible size, shape and weight. We might refer to a hardcover edition of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace as a “hefty tome” or to a paperback of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness as a “slim volume.” In contrast, although a digital text has a length that may be represented with a scroll or progress bar, it has no obvious shape or thickness. An e-reader always weighs the same, regardless of whether you are reading Marcel Proust's magnum opus or one of Ernest Hemingway's short stories. Some researchers have found that these discrepancies create enough so-called haptic dissonance to dissuade some people from using e-readers.

To amend this sensory incongruity, many designers have worked hard to make the e-reader or tablet experience as close to reading on paper as possible. E-ink resembles typical chemical ink, and the simple layout of the Kindle's screen looks remarkably like a page in a paper book. Likewise, Apple's iBooks app attempts to simulate somewhat realistic page turning. So far such gestures have been more aesthetic than pragmatic. E-books still prevent people from quickly scanning ahead on a whim or easily flipping to a previous chapter when a sentence surfaces a memory of something they read earlier.

Some digital innovators are not confining themselves to imitations of paper books. Instead they are evolving screen-based reading into something else entirely. Scrolling may not be the ideal way to navigate a text as long and dense as Herman Melville's Moby Dick , but the New York Times , the Washington Post , ESPN and other media outlets have created beautiful, highly visual articles that could not appear in print because they blend text with movies and embedded sound clips and depend entirely on scrolling to create a cinematic experience. Robin Sloan has pioneered the tap essay, which relies on physical interaction to set the pace and tone, unveiling new words, sentences and images only when someone taps a phone or a tablet's touch screen. And some writers are pairing up with computer programmers to produce ever more sophisticated interactive fiction and nonfiction in which one's choices determine what one reads, hears and sees next.

When it comes to intensively reading long pieces of unembellished text, paper and ink may still have the advantage. But plain text is not the only way to read.

Ferris Jabr is a contributing writer for Scientific American . He has also written for the New York Times Magazine , the New Yorker and Outside .

Scientific American Magazine Vol 309 Issue 5

research paper vs books

Research Voyage

Research Tips and Infromation

Journal or Book Chapter: Which is Better For My Research Paper?

Journal or Book Chapter

In the labyrinthine world of academic publishing, researchers often find themselves standing at a crossroads, faced with a pivotal decision: Should they disseminate their hard-earned research findings through the pages of a research journal or as a chapter in a scholarly book? This choice, seemingly mundane at first glance, carries profound implications for the visibility, impact, and legacy of their work.

As the engines of innovation and knowledge generation continue to revolve, the landscape of academic publishing evolves in tandem, presenting scholars with an ever-expanding array of publication avenues. With each passing day, this decision becomes more complex, demanding a nuanced approach that considers multiple facets of the research, the intended audience, and the researcher’s long-term goals.

In this article, we embark on a journey to demystify this decision-making process. Drawing from the experiences of seasoned researchers, the insights of publishing experts, and the ever-evolving dynamics of the academic ecosystem, we provide a compass to guide scholars through the labyrinth of publication choices.

We understand that this decision can be a source of both excitement and trepidation. It represents the culmination of tireless research, the realization of scholarly ambitions, and the opportunity to contribute to the collective knowledge of humanity. However, it also poses questions of timing, audience engagement, and long-term impact.

To assist researchers in making informed choices, we have distilled the decision-making process into a series of critical parameters. By examining the scope and depth of your research, the target audience you wish to engage, the urgency of your findings, the potential academic impact, the peer review process, and the nuances of copyright and licensing, you will be equipped to make a decision that aligns with your research aspirations.

But this article is more than a checklist; it’s a conversation with the academic community. We present hypothetical case studies that illustrate how researchers have navigated this terrain, showcasing the diverse approaches to publication that exist within the academic tapestry.

In the end, the choice between a journal and a book chapter is not a binary one. Rather, it’s a decision that should reflect the essence of your research and your personal goals as a scholar. As we embark on this journey, we encourage you to engage with your mentors, peers, and publishers. Seek advice, ask questions, and explore the possibilities that lie before you. Your research is not only a contribution to knowledge; it’s a reflection of your academic journey. Let it shine in the publication medium that best suits its brilliance.

So, dear researcher, as we prepare to delve into the heart of this matter, remember that you are not alone in your quest to make this decision. Together, we will illuminate the path that leads to the most impactful and meaningful dissemination of your scholarly work.

Introduction

1. scope and depth of research, 2. target audience, 3. publication timeline, 4. academic impact, 5. peer review process, 6. copyright and licensing, case study 1: dr. yang, case study 2: dr. gomez, case study 3: dr. smith, case study 4 : dr. johnson.

  • Before We Close...

In the realm of academic research, one of the most significant decisions a scholar faces is determining where to publish their painstakingly crafted work. This choice often boils down to two main options: research journals and book chapters. It is a decision that carries profound implications, shaping not only how their research is disseminated but also its reach, impact, and long-term legacy.

Consider the case of Dr. Smith, a dedicated researcher in the field of artificial intelligence. Dr. Smith has spent years developing a groundbreaking algorithm that promises to revolutionize machine learning. Now, Dr. Smith stands at a pivotal juncture in their academic journey, faced with the choice of sending their research to a specialized journal for the AI community or opting for a chapter in an upcoming book on cutting-edge technologies.

This article serves as a beacon for researchers like Dr. Smith who find themselves at this crossroads. It offers a comprehensive framework that takes into account various parameters to guide scholars in making an informed and strategic choice. Rather than leaving this pivotal decision to chance or gut feeling, we will delve into the key factors that should inform your decision-making process.

Parameters for Decision-Making

When considering where to publish your research, one of the paramount factors to contemplate is the scope and depth of your work. In essence, this parameter revolves around the breadth and detail of the subject matter you have investigated.

Imagine Dr. Johnson, an environmental scientist, who has dedicated several years to studying the ecological impact of deforestation in a specific tropical rainforest. Dr. Johnson’s research encompasses a multitude of aspects, including the biodiversity of the region, the effects of deforestation on local communities, and potential solutions for sustainable land use. The depth of the research lies in the extensive fieldwork, data collection, and analysis conducted.

Dr. Lee, another environmental scientist, who has focused on a more narrow aspect of the same rainforest – the behavior of a particular species of rare birds in response to deforestation. Dr. Lee’s study is highly specific, delving deep into the behaviors, habitats, and conservation strategies related to this single bird species.

Explanation:

In the case of Dr. Johnson, whose research encompasses a broad spectrum of ecological, social, and environmental factors, the comprehensiveness and depth of their work make it better suited for a book chapter. A book chapter provides the necessary space to delve into multifaceted aspects and present a holistic view of the research.

On the other hand, Dr. Lee’s focused study on a specific bird species might be more appropriately disseminated through a research journal. The narrower scope of the research aligns with the concise format of a journal article, which often requires a more targeted approach.

In summary, the scope and depth of your research should guide your decision. Comprehensive, in-depth research is often a better fit for a book chapter, where you can provide a comprehensive exploration of your findings. Conversely, narrower studies may find a more suitable home in a research journal, where brevity and specificity are valued.

Determining the appropriate publication platform hinges on identifying and understanding your intended audience. Consider who will benefit the most from your research and who you wish to engage with your findings.

Let’s consider two computer scientists: Dr. Chen and Dr. Williams.

Dr. Chen is a machine learning researcher whose work focuses on the development of a highly advanced, novel neural network architecture for natural language processing tasks. Her research involves intricate mathematical models and algorithms, and it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of machine learning. The primary audience for her work consists of other machine learning researchers, deep learning practitioners, and experts in natural language processing. These individuals are well-versed in complex algorithms and eager for the latest advancements.

Dr. Williams , on the other hand, is a computer scientist whose research revolves around the development of a user-friendly software tool for educators to enhance virtual learning experiences. His work simplifies the process of creating interactive online content for teachers and requires minimal technical expertise. Dr. Williams’ target audience includes educators, instructional designers, and professionals in the field of online education. His research aims to bridge the gap between technology and education, making it accessible to a broad range of educators and learners.

In Dr. Chen’s case, her research serves a specialized audience of machine learning experts who are best reached through a research journal. The technical depth and complexity of her work align with the expectations of this niche community, and a journal provides the appropriate platform for detailed dissemination.

For Dr. Williams, whose research has broader implications for educators and the field of online education, a book chapter or a publication in an educational technology magazine may be more suitable. It allows for a more accessible and comprehensive discussion of his software tool, which can engage educators and instructional designers without deep technical backgrounds.

In summary, the choice between a research journal and a more accessible publication platform should reflect your intended audience. If your work targets a specialized audience of experts and addresses a specific technical gap, a journal is likely the right choice. However, if your research has broader applications and can benefit a wider audience, a book chapter or a publication in an industry-specific magazine may be the better option.

The publication timeline is a critical factor in deciding whether to publish your research in a journal or as a book chapter. Journals typically have faster publication turnaround times compared to books. This parameter revolves around assessing how time-sensitive your research is and whether it can accommodate the longer publication process of a book.

Example 1 – Dr. Anderson:

Dr. Anderson is a computer scientist who has developed a novel cybersecurity algorithm that can detect previously unknown malware in real-time. Given the rapidly evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, Dr. Anderson’s research is highly time-sensitive. Cyberattacks are constantly evolving, and the sooner his algorithm can be disseminated and implemented, the better it can protect computer systems. Waiting for a book publication, which may take a year or more, is not ideal in this case. Therefore, Dr. Anderson opts to submit his research to a journal specializing in cybersecurity. The quicker publication timeline ensures that his groundbreaking work reaches the cybersecurity community promptly.

Example 2 – Dr. Roberts:

Dr. Roberts, another computer scientist, has conducted extensive research on the history and evolution of programming languages. Her work is comprehensive and spans several decades of programming language development. While her research is valuable and adds to the historical understanding of the field, it is not particularly time-sensitive. Programming languages do evolve, but not at the rapid pace of cybersecurity threats. Dr. Roberts decides that her research can wait for the longer publication process of a book, which will provide the space and depth required to present a thorough historical account.

In Dr. Anderson’s case, where the research addresses a highly time-sensitive issue like cybersecurity, a journal publication is the right choice. The quicker turnaround time of journals ensures that his research has a timely impact, potentially safeguarding computer systems from emerging threats.

Conversely, Dr. Roberts’ research, while valuable, is not constrained by time sensitivity. The longer publication process of a book is acceptable because the research focuses on a historical analysis that doesn’t depend on immediate dissemination.

In summary, the publication timeline should be evaluated concerning the urgency of your research in the field. If your research is time-sensitive and addresses rapidly evolving issues, a journal is the better option due to its quicker publication process. However, if your research is not bound by immediate time constraints, a book chapter can provide the depth and context needed for a comprehensive presentation.

The choice between publishing in a research journal or as a book chapter can significantly influence the academic impact of your work. It’s important to understand how each option may impact the recognition, citation, and long-term influence of your research.

Example 1 – Dr. Parker:

Dr. Parker is a computer scientist who has developed a groundbreaking algorithm for optimizing database queries. This algorithm has the potential to revolutionize the field of data management. Dr. Parker is keen on achieving swift recognition and wide dissemination of his work. He chooses to publish his research in a renowned database research journal. Journal articles are known for their quick publication and wide distribution within the academic community. As a result, his research gains immediate visibility and begins to receive citations from fellow researchers. This swift recognition bolsters Dr. Parker’s academic reputation and opens up opportunities for collaboration and further research funding.

Example 2 – Dr. Miller:

Dr. Miller is also a computer scientist, but her research focuses on the broader context of human-computer interaction. She has conducted extensive research on how the design of user interfaces impacts user engagement and satisfaction. Dr. Miller believes that her work will have long-lasting relevance and should be considered foundational in the field of human-computer interaction. To maximize the long-term impact of her research, she decides to publish a comprehensive book chapter in a textbook that serves as a standard reference in the field. While her work may not receive immediate recognition in terms of citations, it becomes a staple in university courses and research libraries. Over time, as new scholars enter the field, Dr. Miller’s research is consistently cited in their literature reviews and included in reference lists and bibliographies, contributing to its enduring influence.

In Dr. Parker’s case, where the research has the potential for immediate impact, publishing in a research journal is the right choice. Journal articles are more frequently cited, and the swift recognition they offer can benefit researchers whose work has the potential to reshape their field.

Conversely, Dr. Miller’s research is more focused on long-term impact. By contributing a book chapter to a foundational textbook, her work becomes a cornerstone of the field. While it may not receive immediate attention in terms of citations, it enjoys enduring influence through its inclusion in reference lists and bibliographies, ultimately shaping the research direction of future scholars.

In summary, the choice between a research journal and a book chapter should be aligned with your goals for academic impact. Journal articles are often cited more frequently and can lead to quicker recognition, while book chapters contribute to long-term impact through their inclusion in educational resources and reference materials.

The peer review process is a crucial aspect of academic publishing. It involves the evaluation of your research by experts in the field to ensure its quality, accuracy, and credibility. The stringency of this process can vary between journals and books.

Example 1 – Dr. Roberts:

Dr. Roberts is a computer scientist who has conducted groundbreaking research in quantum computing. She believes that her research findings are a significant contribution to the field and should undergo thorough scrutiny to ensure their accuracy and reliability.

Consequently, Dr. Roberts chooses to submit her work to a reputable journal known for its rigorous peer review process. Her research goes through multiple rounds of evaluation by experts in quantum computing, who provide constructive feedback and recommendations for improvement.

After several revisions, her paper is accepted for publication. The rigorous peer review process not only enhances the credibility of her work but also ensures that any potential errors or weaknesses are addressed before publication.

Example 2 – Dr. Patel:

Dr. Patel, another computer scientist, has developed a software tool that streamlines data analysis processes for researchers. While her work is valuable, she believes that the urgency of disseminating her tool to the academic community outweighs the need for an exhaustive peer review process.

Dr. Patel decides to contribute a book chapter on her software tool to a compilation of research tools in her subfield. The peer review process for book chapters in this context is less stringent compared to journals. Her work is evaluated for relevance, clarity, and potential contributions to the book, but it doesn’t undergo the same level of in-depth technical scrutiny as a journal article. As a result, her software tool is published more quickly, allowing researchers to benefit from it sooner.

In Dr. Roberts’ case, where the research is highly technical and its accuracy is of paramount importance, submitting to a journal with a rigorous peer review process is the right choice. The comprehensive evaluation by experts ensures the quality and credibility of her work, reinforcing its significance in the field.

Conversely, Dr. Patel’s decision to contribute a book chapter is based on the urgency of disseminating her research tool. While book chapters also undergo peer review, the process is typically less stringent and focuses more on relevance and clarity. This streamlined process allows her work to reach the academic community faster.

In summary, the choice between a research journal and a book chapter should consider the stringency of the peer review process. Journals often have a more thorough review, enhancing the quality and credibility of your work. Book chapters also undergo peer review but typically have a less stringent process, which can expedite publication when time is of the essence.

Understanding copyright and licensing agreements is crucial when deciding where to publish your research. The terms and conditions regarding these agreements can significantly impact your ability to reuse, distribute, and share your work with others.

Dr. Anderson, a computer scientist, has developed an innovative software algorithm for optimizing energy consumption in data centers. He’s keen on publishing his research in a journal known for its rigorous peer review process and broad readership. However, he carefully reviews the journal’s copyright and licensing policies and discovers that they require authors to transfer full copyright to the journal. In this case, Dr. Anderson would retain limited rights to reuse or distribute his work. Recognizing the long-term value of his research and his intention to develop commercial applications based on it, he decides to explore alternative options. Dr. Anderson identifies a publisher that offers an open-access model for journal articles. This publisher allows authors to retain copyright while making their work freely available to the public. He chooses this publisher, ensuring that he maintains control over his intellectual property.

Example 2 – Dr. Martinez:

Dr. Martinez, another computer scientist, has conducted research on cybersecurity practices in small businesses. She believes her findings would be valuable to a broader audience, including educators, policymakers, and small business owners. Dr. Martinez decides to contribute a book chapter on her research to an academic book aimed at disseminating knowledge to a diverse readership. The book publisher she selects offers authors the option to retain copyright and apply a Creative Commons license to their chapters. Dr. Martinez opts for this arrangement, allowing her to keep ownership of her work while granting others the freedom to share and adapt it for educational or policy purposes.

In Dr. Anderson’s case, the journal’s policy of transferring full copyright ownership would have restricted his ability to reuse and distribute his work. Recognizing the long-term value and potential commercial applications of his research, he chose an open-access publisher that allowed him to retain copyright while making his work widely accessible.

Conversely, Dr. Martinez’s decision to contribute a book chapter allowed her to have more control over her work’s copyright and licensing terms. She chose a publisher that permitted her to retain copyright and apply a Creative Commons license , thus enabling broader dissemination and use of her research.

In summary, understanding the copyright and licensing agreements associated with journals and books is essential. Journals may require authors to transfer copyright, which can impact their ability to reuse and distribute their work. In contrast, book chapters may offer more flexible copyright and licensing options, allowing authors to maintain ownership and control over their intellectual property.

For more details on copyrights and exclusive rights visit my article on” Copyright Transfer and Granting Exclusive Rights: Key Differences for Research Authors “

Case Studies

Dr. Yang, a computer scientist, has spent years developing a groundbreaking algorithm for secure data transmission in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Her research is comprehensive, with in-depth mathematical models, extensive simulations, and real-world testing. Dr. Yang believes her work has the potential to transform IoT security practices.

Parameters Considered:

  • Scope and Depth of Research: Dr. Yang’s research is comprehensive and in-depth.
  • Target Audience: She aims to reach a specialized audience of cybersecurity experts.
  • Publication Timeline: The research is time-sensitive due to the rapidly evolving nature of cybersecurity threats.
  • Academic Impact: Dr. Yang wants her work to have an immediate impact on IoT security practices.
  • Peer Review Process: She values a rigorous peer review to ensure the credibility of her work.
  • Copyright and Licensing: Dr. Yang wants to retain control over her work, including potential commercial applications.

Decision: Considering these parameters, Dr. Yang decides to publish her research in a reputable cybersecurity journal known for its rigorous peer review process. This choice aligns with her goal of quick recognition, timely dissemination, and the ability to maintain control over her intellectual property.

Dr. Gomez is a computer scientist specializing in natural language processing (NLP). His research focuses on sentiment analysis in social media data and its applications in marketing strategies. He believes his work can have long-term relevance in both the NLP and marketing fields.

  • Scope and Depth of Research: Dr. Gomez’s research is specialized but can have long-term relevance.
  • Target Audience: He aims to reach a broader audience, including marketers and NLP researchers.
  • Publication Timeline: While timely dissemination is important, his work is not tied to immediate cybersecurity threats.
  • Academic Impact: Dr. Gomez expects his research to be referenced and cited in the long run.
  • Peer Review Process: He values peer review but does not require the level of scrutiny associated with cybersecurity research.
  • Copyright and Licensing: Dr. Gomez wants his work to be accessible for educational and industry purposes.

Decision: Considering these parameters, Dr. Gomez decides to contribute a book chapter to an academic book that explores the intersection of NLP and marketing. This choice allows him to reach a diverse readership, retain copyright, and potentially have his work included in marketing courses and industry reports, contributing to its long-term impact.

Here’s the table with the research titles for both Dr. Yang and Dr. Gomez placed along with their respective author titles:

  • Dr. Smith is a seasoned researcher in the field of solar energy, boasting a distinguished career marked by a relentless pursuit of advancing the efficiency of solar cells. With years of expertise, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the solar technology landscape, known for his groundbreaking work in photovoltaic science. Dr. Smith’s passion for sustainable energy solutions has been a driving force behind his commitment to improving solar cell performance, an endeavor that transcends mere professional interest to become a personal mission.
  • Scope and Depth of Research: Dr. Smith’s research is a testament to his unwavering dedication. He embarked on a comprehensive journey, dissecting the intricate intricacies of photovoltaic technology to extract every iota of efficiency from solar cells. His work encompasses a wide spectrum, from fundamental material science to advanced engineering solutions.
  • Target Audience: With his extensive knowledge and innovative insights, Dr. Smith tailors his research for a specialized audience comprising solar energy researchers and engineers. These are the individuals on the front lines of transforming solar technology from a promising concept into a tangible reality.
  • Publication Timeline: In the ever-evolving realm of the solar industry, Dr. Smith recognizes the critical importance of disseminating his findings with expediency. His research directly addresses the pressing need for more efficient solar cells in a world increasingly dependent on clean energy sources.
  • Academic Impact: Dr. Smith’s ambitions extend beyond personal recognition. He envisions his work as a catalyst for immediate change within the solar energy community, anticipating that his research will drive innovation and shape the trajectory of solar technology.
  • Peer Review Process: Dr. Smith places immense value on the rigorous peer review process, seeing it as the crucible through which the purity and validity of his research will be confirmed. He welcomes the scrutiny of his peers, understanding that it is the linchpin of scientific credibility.
  • Copyright and Licensing: When it comes to copyright and licensing, Dr. Smith is open to traditional terms, aligning his approach with industry norms while ensuring his work’s rightful protection.

Considering these parameters, Dr. Smith makes a calculated decision to publish his research in a reputable journal. This choice aligns perfectly with his overarching goal of swiftly disseminating his research within the solar energy community and contributing substantially to the ongoing advancements in solar cell technology.

  • Dr. Johnson stands as an eminent figure in the realm of environmental science, recognized for his unwavering commitment to unraveling the intricate tapestry of ecological consequences stemming from deforestation in tropical rainforests. His journey as an environmental scientist has been marked by a profound dedication to understanding the complex web of interactions that define these unique ecosystems. Beyond being a researcher, Dr. Johnson is a conservationist at heart, and his work reflects a deeply ingrained sense of responsibility towards safeguarding the planet’s natural treasures.
  • Scope and Depth of Research: Dr. Johnson’s research represents a tour de force in the study of deforestation. His work encompasses a broad and comprehensive exploration of diverse facets, ranging from the ecological impacts on flora and fauna to the socio-economic implications on local communities. With meticulous fieldwork, data collection, and interdisciplinary analysis, his research is a testament to the depth and breadth of his commitment.
  • Target Audience: Dr. Johnson’s research isn’t confined to academic circles alone; it extends its reach to a diverse audience that includes environmental scientists, policymakers, conservationists, and even the general public. His findings hold relevance not only for the scientific community but also for those striving to make informed decisions about the future of tropical rainforests.
  • Publication Timeline: In his pursuit to address the ongoing crisis of deforestation, Dr. Johnson recognizes the urgency of timely dissemination. The ecosystems he studies are under constant threat, demanding immediate attention and action.
  • Academic Impact: While aiming for immediate recognition, Dr. Johnson’s aspirations transcend the here and now. He envisions his research as a cornerstone for long-term efforts aimed at preserving tropical rainforests and their rich biodiversity. His work is poised to influence not just contemporary policies but also the legacy we leave for future generations.
  • Peer Review Process: While valuing peer review, Dr. Johnson recognizes that the depth of scrutiny associated with specialized technological research may not be a necessity for his work. Nonetheless, he maintains a commitment to rigorous standards to ensure the credibility of his findings.
  • Copyright and Licensing: In line with his commitment to broad dissemination and education, Dr. Johnson is open to using a Creative Commons license, an approach that encourages widespread access to his research.

Considering these parameters, Dr. Johnson makes a well-informed decision to contribute a book chapter. This choice aligns seamlessly with his overarching mission to address the ongoing crisis of deforestation in tropical rainforests, allowing his research to reach a broader audience and contribute to the dialogue surrounding environmental conservation and policy-making.

This expanded description provides a deeper understanding of Dr. Johnson’s background and research, shedding light on the motivations and goals that lead him to choose a book chapter as the medium for his work.

These examples showcase how researchers in different domains make publication decisions based on the nature of their research, their intended audience, timeline considerations, academic impact goals, the peer review process, and copyright and licensing preferences. Dr. Smith opts for a journal publication to quickly reach the solar energy community, while Dr. Johnson chooses a book chapter to contribute to the long-term conservation dialogue.

Before We Close…

If you are planning to publish your research work as a journal then the following articles will help you to publish your article in reputed journals.

Writing an Effective Research Paper with 11 Major Sections

Avoiding Predatory Conferences and Journals: A Step-by-Step Guide for Researchers

How to Choose Right Journal Quartile (Q1/Q2/Q3/Q4) for My Research Paper?

In the intricate realm of academic publishing, the choice between disseminating research findings via journal articles or book chapters rests on a multifaceted interplay of parameters.

Researchers like Dr. Smith, grappling with rapidly evolving domains, might find journals to be conduits for swift recognition and immediate impact. In contrast, scholars like Dr. Johnson, investigating topics with enduring significance, might opt for book chapters to contribute to the collective knowledge over time.

The scope, audience, timeline, academic impact, peer review process, and copyright considerations significantly influence this critical decision. The journal’s rigorous peer review process ensures the credibility of research, while book chapters offer flexibility in copyright terms for broader distribution.

Ultimately, researchers must weigh these factors against their research’s unique attributes and objectives to determine the most fitting avenue for dissemination. Whether in the pages of a journal or a book chapter, the essence of research lies in its contribution to the ever-expanding tapestry of human knowledge, a testament to the evolving landscape of academia.

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The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers

Why a good old-fashioned book is better for your mental health..

Posted February 2, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

  • Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than e-readers.
  • Physical books help readers absorb and recall content more effectively.
  • Turning pages as we read creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page.
  • Research shows that, despite the prevalence of technology, most people still prefer print books to e-readers.

Screens are replacing paper when it comes to nearly every aspect of communication, but is it good for our mental health? Research proves the countless mental health benefits of reading , but still most people are choosing screen-time over picking up a book when it comes to entertainment.

Even in schools, gone are the days of buying those stretchy book covers for your heavy textbooks; digital modalities of learning are taking precedence, lightening backpacks but burdening young minds with the challenge of staying on-task in a sea of digital distractions. Reading short blurbs on social media as we scroll inhibits not only our attention span, making lengthy books more arduous for our dopamine -addicted brains to digest, but often waters down the language, using more informal, conversational-style writing that offers much less exposure to rich, brain-boosting vocabulary and concepts.

Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than e-readers (Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L., 2023). Though many people find they can read faster on a device, the distractions, like social media scrolling, advertisements, and email notifications, often hinder memory retention. Physical books provide an immersive experience, resulting in readers who absorb and recall the content more effectively.

Holding the weight of a book in your hand, turning the pages, and even highlighting your favorite passages are all experienced in the body. In fact, according to researchers, turning pages as we read creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page, (Rothkopf, Ernst Z.,1971). This is part of what allows the brain to retain the information better when read from a physical book.

From the way you position your body when holding a book, to the way your head and eyes adjust to scan the pages as they turn, there are distinct differences in the way our bodies experience reading a good old-fashioned book. “Print books and the substrate of paper lend an obvious physicality to individual texts, while e-books are not tangible volumes and are differently touched, held, carried and navigated,” wrote Mangen, A., and van der Weel, A. in “The evolution of reading in the age of digitisation: an integrative framework for reading research,” (2016, p. 116–124). “The haptic feedback of a touch screen is different from a paper book, and the implications of such interactions warrant empirical investigations. Studies in experimental psychology and neuroscience show that object manipulation provides spatial information which is crucial for building coherent mental representations of the manipulated object.”

In addition to improving comprehension and providing an immersive, embodied experience, reading physical books offers a uniquely social experience that e-readers miss out on. Whether you’re perusing the shelves at the bookstore, coffee in hand, asking your local librarian for recommendations from their collection, or passing along your copy of a favorite book to a friend, interacting with fellow book lovers is one of the aspects of reading that people most enjoy. Downloading books onto your e-reader bypasses these opportunities for connection.

Perhaps what is most salient is the undeniably strong preference most people have for reading printed books. In one study, 92 percent of students reportedly preferred print books over e-books (Baron, N. S., 2015). There’s something special about holding a book in your hand, admiring the cover art, even appreciating the way your bookmark visually advances with time spent turning the pages.

Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L. (2023). Do New Forms of Reading Pay Off? A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Leisure Digital Reading Habits and Text Comprehension. Review of Educational Research, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231216463

Baron, N. S. (2015). Words onscreen: The fate of reading in a digital world. Oxford University Press.

Mangen, A., and van der Weel, A. (2016) The evolution of reading in the age of digitisation: an integrative framework for reading research. Literacy, 50: 116–124. doi: 10.1111/lit.12086 .

Rothkopf, Ernst Z. (1971) Incidental memory for location of information in text. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior. Volume 10, Issue 6: Pages 608-613. ISSN 0022-5371, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5371(71)80066-X .

Heather Rose Artushin LISW-CP

Heather Rose Artushin, LISW-CP, is a child and family therapist passionate about the power of reading.

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Books vs. e-books: The science behind the best way to read

By Amy Kraft

December 14, 2015 / 6:00 AM EST / CBS News

While browsing the bookstore to buy a gift for that special someone (or yourself), you may be faced with a tough decision: e-books or the old-fashioned kind? Each one has its pros and cons, and choosing the best option depends on a number of factors.

Some of the practical advantages of going digital are obvious: A portable little e-reader can carry an entire library wherever you go, which is great for travelers or those who always want a choice of reading material.

On the other hand, research has been stacking up to show that reading on paper has a number of benefits, too. Plus, there's the nostalgia factor .

"First and foremost, consider the person and their lifelong preferences," Dr. Matthew H. Schneps, director of the Laboratory for Visual Learning, a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts Boston and MIT, told CBS News in an email. "Some people absolutely love the look, smell, and feel of the classical book held in the hand, and such people may not want to give up the sensory experience of reading from a paper book. If the recipient of your gift is someone who is adventurous when it comes to gadgets, but otherwise doesn't read much using traditional books, giving the gift of an e-reader can be a life-changing experience for them."

Here's a look at some of the science to consider before you spring for a Kindle, a Nook or a stack of new hardcovers.

Young, reluctant readers prefer e-readers

A 2014 study published in the journal Library & Information Science Research found that out of 143 10th grade students, most preferred e-readers . Boys and those who did not care much for reading also shared a strong preference for e-readers.

"An e-reader has more in common with the electronic devices that young people use all the time, like smartphones or iPads, than a paper book, when it comes to turning of pages, the possibilities of adjusting font size, etc.," lead author of the study, Åse Kristine Tveit, told CBS News in an email.

Reading on paper may boost retention

Several small studies suggest that reading on paper instead of an electronic screen is better for memory retention and focus. The Guardian reported on an experiment from Norway where people were given a short story to read either on a Kindle or in a paperback book; when they were quizzed later, those who read the paperback were more likely to remember plot points in the right order.

"When you read on paper you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right," the lead researcher, Anne Mangen, of Norway's Stavanger University, told the Guardian. "You have the tactile sense of progress ... Perhaps this somehow aids the reader, providing more fixity and solidity to the reader's sense of unfolding and progress of the text, and hence the story."

Paper suits readers with sleep problems and eye strain

High levels of screen luminance from an electronic device can contribute to visual fatigue, a condition marked by tired, itching, burning eyes.

There are also potential considerations for those reading e-books on light-emitting e-readers at night (although a number of e-readers do not use light-emitting screens), Dr. Margaret K. Merga, a reading and education specialist in Australia, told CBS News in an email. "Artificial light exposure from light-emitting e-readers may interfere with users' ability to sleep , ultimately leading to adverse impacts on health."

A 2014 study published in the journal PNAS found that reading an e-book before bedtime decreased the production of melatonin, a hormone that preps the body for sleep. E-books also impaired alertness the following day.

E-books help the visually impaired

Individuals with poor eyesight or reading disorders like dyslexia can benefit more from e-books because they provide a range of options for changing the text size and spacing of lines. A 2013 study in the journal PLOS One observed reading comprehension and speed in 103 high school students with dyslexia. The study found that people with dyslexia read more effectively, and with greater ease, when using the e-reader compared with reading on paper.

Schneps, who was the lead author on the paper, said, "What made the difference was the ability of the device to display lines of text that were extremely short (about two or three words per line), as well as its ability to space out the text. When these people read using the modified formatting, their reading instantly improved."

His team has a website where people can preview the effects of some of these features before making a purchase. Try out the interactive tips at readeasy.labvislearn.org .

A fondness for books

Many book-lovers still prefer the traditional option and value the tactile sensation of a bound paper book. "Paper books are, as a rule, very well designed, they look and smell good, and they carry with them a more human touch," Tveit said.

In Merga's experience with students in Australia, avid readers also tend to prefer reading on paper. While conducting the West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading (WASABR), Merga and colleagues found that students preferred reading paper books. "One student described this attitude as a preference to 'own something (rather) than just use it,'" Merga said.

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Printed Books vs eBooks Statistics, Trends and Facts [2024]

Posted by Rob Errera on 05/31/2023

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At a Glance: Books vs. eBooks

  • The global paper books market will encompass around 1.87 billion readers by 2027, while e-reader users are expected to reach 1.2 billion .
  • The U.S. market demonstrates a continued preference for print books with 788.7 million units sold in 2022.
  • Despite trends towards digitalization, a 2021 survey revealed that 68% of younger readers (18 to 29-year-olds) in the U.S. prefer print books.
  • At the same time, eBook sales in the U.S. are gradually increasing, with a 3.7% growth in January 2023 vs. January 2022, resulting in $85 million in revenue.
  • Amazon's Kindle currently dominates the e-reader market, holding a substantial 72% share .
  • Between 2021 and 2023, the average price gap between eBooks and hardcovers on Amazon increased by 75%  in favor of eBooks.

Paper books vs eBooks statistics show print is here to stay!

Dead tree editions just won’t die.

Like the monster in a horror movie, print books just won’t die . The most recent paper books vs eBooks statistics, research, and surveys back this up.

Print books are here to stay!

Let’s look at the most important eBook vs print book statistics, key differences between print and e-books, and where American publishers are taking the industry.

Popularity Contest: eBooks Versus Print Books

Are print books still popular? You’d better believe it!

According to the most recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center on book consumption and book formats, traditional print is still the most popular reading format for both adults and children.

Survey says:

  • 75% of adults in the United States read a book in some format over the last year
  • 32% of Americans claim they only read print books
  • 33% say they read both print books and e-books
  • 9% say they only read e-books
  • 23% of the respondents said that they don't read books

Reading and book format preference survey among US adults

eBooks vs Printed Books Sales

  • Print books out-sell eBooks 4 to 1
  • 191 million e-books were sold in the United States in 2020
  • In January 2023, eBook sales in the US experienced a 3.7%  increase vs. January 2022, resulting in  $85 million  of generated revenue.

research paper vs books

  • Printed book sales amounted to 788.7 million units in 2022. Although there was a decrease compared to the previous year, the figure remains higher than in the years preceding 2021.
  • Print book sales have increased 13.2% between 2020 and 2021, and 21% between 2019 and 2021
  • eBook sales grew by 22% in 2020
  • eBook sales have decreased 8% in 2021 but were still 8% higher than they were in 2019

Print book sales in the US from 2004 to 2022

Print book sales in the US from 2004 to 2022

Source: Statista

eBook book sales in the US from 2010 to 2020

research paper vs books

Kindle vs Book Statistics

By far, the most popular e-reader on the market is Amazon’s Kindle. 

The Kindle comes in a variety of formats — color, glare-free, etc. — but all use the AZW eBook format. Most other e-readers, like the Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple Books, use the more ubiquitous EPUB format for eBooks.

  • 72% of the e-reader market belongs to Amazon Kindle
  • 10% of the e-reader market belongs to Barnes & Noble Nook
  • 18% of e-readers use an alternative app for digital reading

A more recent study from Pew Research suggests more people are reading on their smartphones and tablets, leading to a recent decrease in e-reader sales.

A 2012 report from NewZoo found   17.4 million active Kindle Fire users and 30.5 million iPad users in the United States. By 2018 Amazon reported selling close to 90 million e-readers. By 2027, Statista projects the number of e-reader users to grow to 1.2 billion , resulting in an expected revenue of $15.39 billion in the eBooks market. 

Check also  ➜ How Many Books Are Published Each Year?

Demographics: Reader vs E-Reader

Book reading demographics vary according to education and income level.

College graduates make up 90% of book readers , while only 61% of high school graduates read books.

Those who dropped out of school have an even lower readership rate - a mere 32% .

Economics goes hand-in-hand with education. Individuals earning over $75,000 a year make up 86% of readers, while well those earning less than $30,000 annually make up only 62% .

Physical books are still the top moneymakers for publishers. 

Publishing market research shows the economic juggernaut of traditional books. While publishers are experimenting with different media formats — especially audiobooks — they are still investing the bulk of their marketing efforts into physical book sales.

And they should...there’s still big money in old-fashioned publishing!

  • The Physical Books market is projected to reach 1.87 billion  users by 2027, with an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $37.41 .

US Book Publishing Industry Revenue by Category min

        The United States Book Publishing Industry Revenue by Category

  • Physical formats accounted for over 75.5% of the revenue for trade (consumer books) publishers.
  • E-books experienced a 5.0% decline compared to 2020, totaling $1.97 billion and making up 10.5% of publishers' overall revenue for the year.
  • In 2020, 19% of adult readers owned an e-reader, a decrease from 32% of adult readers who owned e-readers in 2014.

Canada Book Market Mirrors The US

Canadian booksellers see the same trends as the United States: people prefer print when it comes to long-form reading . 

A 2022 survey from Canadian Book Consumer Study supports these findings:

  • Print books accounted for 73% of purchases made by Canadian buyers
  • E-books represented 17%  of the purchases
  • Audiobooks accounted for 6%  of the total

  The Distribution of Book Purchases by Format in Canada (From 2019 to 2022)

Distribution of Book Purchases by Format in Canada

  • Among book buyers, those aged 35 to 44 accounted for the highest percentage of print book purchases, with 25%
  • In 2022, print books comprised 71% of library borrowings, while eBooks accounted for 21% and audiobooks made up 8% .  

And this trend is not just confined to North America. The same thing happens in a dozen different countries.

Printed books more popular than eBooks worldwide

Reader vs. E-Reader Statistics: Educational Levels

College graduates:

  • 88% read a book last year
  • 80% read a print book
  • 39% read an e-book
  • 32% listened to an audiobook

High school (or less) graduates:

  • 59% read a book last year
  • 51% read a print book
  • 17% read an e-book
  • 13% listened to an audiobook

Reading Habits Reported by Various Groups in the US

Reading Habits Reported by Various Groups in the US

Reader vs. E-Reader Statistics: Income Levels

  • 86% of people earning over $75,000 per year read a book last year.
  • 78% of people earning between $50,000 and $75,000 per year read a book last year.
  • 67% of people earning between $30,000 and $49,000 per year read a book last year.
  • 62% of people earning below $30,000 per year read a book last year.

Book reading and reader income levels

Print Book Youth Movement

One of the main reasons physical books are here to stay is because the next generation of readers has already embraced them. 

Studies by Pew Research Center show that the most avaricious readers are young adults, with 83% responding they read a book in some format in 2021.

Data gathered from surveys and studies helps shape market trends. 

  • 83% of people aged 18-29 read a book
  • 77% of people aged 30-49 read a book
  • 72% of people aged 50-64 read a book
  • 68% of people aged 65 and older read a book
  • 62% of 16 to 24-year-olds preferred print books to e-books
  • 68% of 18 to 29-year-olds preferred physical books to e-books
  • Only 4% of children’s fiction was published in digital formats in 2021

eBooks vs Print Books: Costs & Savings

In the early days of eBook publishing, the digital versions of books were priced much cheaper than the print versions. 

This made sense. 

There were no printing, paper, or shipping costs involved, so a digital book should naturally cost less. A decade ago, it was not uncommon to see a hardcover bestseller priced at $25 with a digital edition price around half that.

Today the prices of physical books are much closer , especially when it comes to new releases and popular authors. 

The cost of the latest Susanne Collins or Stephen King book will be nearly the same in both hardcover and e-book editions.

The real savings of eBooks come with older works and backlist titles. The digital editions of books that have been available for a while drop significantly. You can get eBook editions of classic literature for very cheap (even free).

Independent authors also offer up a wide variety of eBooks that are priced less than books from traditional publishers.

There are bargain books in both the physical and digital realms. You can find plenty of one-dollar eBooks online, enough to max out your e-reader. You can also find a table filled with $5 hardcovers at the local warehouse store.

Overall, eBooks will save avid readers money, but not as much you’d expect.

Hardcover vs Ebook

Hardcover vs. Kindle on Amazon: Kindle version costs 17% ($3) less than Hardcover

eBook vs Print Book Costs in 2023  

Amazon bestseller list 01/10/23:.

  • Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex's “Spare” is $19.99 hardcover and $17.99 eBook - 2 .00$ difference in favor of the eBook
  • James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” is $14.89 hardcover and 12.99 eBook - $1.90 difference
  • Collen Hoover’s “It Ends with Us” is $20.24 hardcover and $12.99 eBook - $7.25 difference
  • Collen Hoover’s “It Starts with Us” is $36.23 hardcover and $13.99 eBook - $22.24  difference
  • Bonnie Garmus “Lessons in Chemistry” is $17.99 hardcover and $14.99 eBook - $3.00 difference
  • Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea” is $9.49 hardcover and $9.99 eBook - $0.50 difference

As we can see, new hardcover bestsellers sell for an average price of $19.80  in 2023 while their eBook counterparts sell for around $12 .

So, if you like to read hot-of-the-press bestsellers, choosing eBooks over physical books will save you about $7 per title … and a whole lot of shelf space!

eBook vs Print Book Costs in 2021

To compare let's look at the same data from 2021.

The difference in price between eBooks and paper books was less back in 2021 with some Kindle versions selling at a higher price than hardcover:

The Christmas Pig eBook vs Hardcover

eBook offered at a higher price than Hardcover on Amazon

Amazon Bestseller list 10/12/21:

  • JK Rowlings’s “The Christmas Pig” is $12.49 hardcover and $14.24 eBook - 1.75$ difference in favor of the the Hardcover
  • Adam Schiff’s “Midnight in Washington” is $25.49 hardcover and 14.99 eBook - $10.50 difference
  • Dave Grohl’s “The Storyteller” is $19.49 hardcover and $14.99 eBook - $4.50 difference
  • Ron and Clint Howard’s “The Boys” is $20.49 hardcover and $14.99 eBook - $5.50 difference
  • Nicholas Sparks “The Wish” is $15.99 hardcover and $14.99 eBook - $1.00 difference
  • Anthony Doerr’s “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is $18.57 hardcover and $14.99 eBook - $3.58 difference

Based on the numbers above, new hardcover bestsellers sold for an average price of $19.30  in 2021 while their eBook counterparts sold for around $15. This means that eBooks were saving you about $4 per title  in 2021 compared to $7 in 2023 .

So, from 2021 to 2023 the difference in price between eBooks and hardcovers increased by 75% (or $3)  in favor of eBooks. 

Currently, there are still some ongoing  supply chain delays that might be influencing the book market. Until everything stabilizes, we probably could see further, and at times drastic, fluctuations in the pricing of physical books versus eBooks. 

Don’t Forget Your Local Library

You can’t get cheaper than free. Public libraries across the country allow you to borrow print and digital editions of books for a select period of time, usually a week or two. 

As long as you return your borrowed books on time and in good condition, the local library offers a lifetime of free reading

Plus, libraries are one of the biggest buyers of books. Let them make the investment while you reap the reading rewards!

The Benefits of E-Books

A book isn’t paper and binding. It is the words and ideas contained between the covers. 

An e-book contains all of the words and information of a print edition with a number of additional benefits:

  • The key difference between e-books and printed books is this lack of a physical object .
  • For starters, one difference is that an e-book is more portable than a print book.
  • You can store an entire library of e-books on your phone or tablet and not take up an inch of physical shelf space. Kindle libraries can be vast and contain appropriate content for people of any age.
  • E-books take up very little data . Even if your data is limited, a dozen full-length editions will occupy no more than a megabyte of disk space. It’s hard for print to compete in this area of books vs. e-books. Physical books take up a lot of physical space .
  • E-books do not have a fixed font size. Make those letters big and easy to read before bed. Or change the color of the type or the background. The options are endless  and the convenience outstanding .
  • Adopting e-book technology can make you more well-read. Your Kindle will survey your e-book reading tastes and report suggestions based on titles with a related association.
  • In addition, e-books have the benefit of a built-in dictionary . No more guessing at word meanings based on their context. You could look up word definitions on the fly. Even search the web to get deeper details about the eBook you’re reading.
  • E-books also offer an excellent way to take notes regarding the text you were reading. Digital notes can be exported into any text editor and you’re halfway through your book report or online review!
  • Like all digital files, eBooks are also very convenient for sharing. Reader-community apps, like Goodreads, allow you to share your reading progress with others almost like a built-in book club you can join or occasionally check in on.
  • E-books are also easier on the environment. Gone is the association with stinky paper mills and unnecessary tree slaughter. No glue, no expensive ink . Unlike paper books, eBooks leave little to no carbon footprint.

Latest eBook Sales Numbers

Monthly eBook sales 2018-2021

The Benefits of Print Books

A print book is a joy to behold!

The smell of freshly printed pages, the smooth, silky feel of paper beneath your fingertips, the crinkle, and crackle of a story flowing by. 

Print offers a unique reading experience.

Digital e-readers don’t engage the senses the way a physical book does. Reading a printed book is a tactile experience.

You feel  it, you smell  it, and you remember  it.

This is one reason physical books are the more popular format for readers. Printed books touch readers on a more primal emotional level .

Paper material stats

Physical Books vs eBooks Statistics Showing Why Traditional Books Are Better

  • 66% of readers believe printed books offer a more unique and fulfilling reading experience than e-books.
  • A majority of college students say they retain information longer when it is read in a printed format.
  • Traditional books don’t cause the eye strain inherent to e-readers. Reading on an e-reader before bed disrupts sleep and impacts overall health
  • Children learn better with paper books. Almost 90% of teachers and parents believe reading 15 pages on paper every day improves a child’s memory and language development.
  • 64% of employees say they prefer paper agendas and memos to digital communication.
  • E-readers take more carbon to produce than physical books.
  • Discarded e-readers lead to toxic electronic waste . Old books can be recycled with other paper products.

Digital books bought online generally cost less. While a new hardcover can cost $30, the same book may only cost $15 on a Kindle e-reader. And that’s the top price for an eBook.

Most back titles are available for under five dollars. If you have limited income, e-readers and e-books are a better bargain when it comes to price.

In addition, reading a print book offers an uninterrupted “low tech” reading experience . E-readers and online reading in digital formats run the risk of pop-up ads, dying batteries, and power failures.

Books vs eBooks in terms of pollution levels

Despite its distribution limitations, print still reaches a broad demographic, especially among older readers.

For example,  41% of Americans over age 65 are not Internet users. The number of e-reader owners is even lower among this demographic.

The Future Of Printed Books

The statistics and surveys tell the story; despite the growing popularity of e-books, traditional publishing is here to stay. 

The publishing industry uses market research to determine which book format a reader will prefer. U.S. libraries also contribute valuable data and figures on reader habits.

Another factor keeping traditional book publishing alive and well is the modern school system.

Textbook publishers have yet to embrace digital media. Heavy — and expensive — textbooks are still the norm for students. College students (and school boards) must buy the same textbooks year after year. Hey, the bulk of the information inside these textbooks hasn’t changed for centuries. Shouldn’t knowledge be free online somewhere?

Even though all the educational tools needed for academic success can be included on a lightweight laptop or tablet, print textbooks remain an essential part of classrooms. 

This one of the main reasons readers prefer printed books over e-books — they were raised with print books all through school and they carry that love of physical books into adulthood .

The Future Of The eBook and E-Reader

A 2019 survey by Pew Research provides data and figures, which publishers use to determine which reading formats are most popular. While eBooks and e-readers were not the “print killers” some predicted they’d be, digital books continue to make slow gains in popularity.

The best-selling e-books are genre fiction — romance, crime, science-fiction, thrillers, and related genres.

The popularity of digital fiction in the United States is slated to grow over the next few years. As the popularity of e-books spreads, so too do the sales of e-book readers increase.

  • Projected e-book sales in 2025 = $7.78 billion (up from $5.91 billion in 2019)
  • Projected e-reader sales in 2025 = $98.95 million (up from $77.94 million in 2019)

What About Audiobooks?

We are in the midst of a “listening revolution” the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since the birth of radio .

The rise of podcasts and narrated stories means more people are listening to media than ever before.

However, these modern “books on tape” aren’t eating away at physical books or e-book sales as much as they’re bringing in new readers and giving seasoned readers a new way to enjoy the stories they love.

  • One-in-five Americans listened to a book in 2021
  • 100% of American publishers are creating audio

Diverse Book Consumption Formats Among U.S. Adults

Diverse Book Consumption Formats among US Adults

People Still Read Books... And Always Will

From a social media post to a blog article, people today read short-form writing on smartphones and tablets. But when they want to read in longer formats they turn to books , and, more often than not, they turn to “dead tree” editions printed with paper and ink .

Print books aren’t dying — they’re evolving, offering more accessible ways for people to enjoy them.

Technology has expanded our reading choices, allowing us to connect with books in different ways. In many ways — in terms of selection and availability — books are healthier than ever!

To get more insight into digital books vs. print books, we reached out to author Armand Rosamillia .  

Rosamillia says his sales were pretty evenly split between print books, e-books, and audiobooks until the pandemic hit.

“Looking at my stats from the last 18 months, my sales are roughly 18% print, 27% audiobook, and 55% e-book,”  Rosamillia reports . “Audio sales have nearly doubled since Covid, mostly affecting the print side.” 

In addition to writing books, Rosamillia also runs The Little Free Library, a take-a-book / leave-a-book public bookshelf, which is a hit with younger readers. 

Printed books are still preferred for nature journals, cookbooks, and children’s books. A recent Nielsen study found that parents and kids want to hold books and turn the pages together.

You can’t do that with an ebook.

The same goes for interactive books like coloring books, puzzles, and workbooks. You need traditional pages to get the most out of these books.

“Even though children are at ease with their tablets and technology (more so than I ever will be), they still gravitate toward the print books until they hit their teens, in my opinion,” Rosamillia says, “I have a Little Free Library on my property and the children go crazy whenever I put a new stack of picture books into it.” 

And that’s good news for bibliophiles of any age!

NDP Paper and Packaging Board’s Fourth Annual Back-to-School Report: Paper and Productive Learning The New York Times  Olympic College hms.harvard.edu/news/e-readers-foil-good-nights-sleep pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/ pewresearch.org/internet/2015/10/29/the-demographics-of-device-ownership/ pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/25/one-in-five-americans-now-listen-to-audiobooks/ pewresearch.org/internet/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/ pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/ publishers.org/news/aap-statshot-annual-report-book-publishing-revenues-up-slightly-to-25-93-billion-in-2019/ publishers.org/news/aap-january-2023-statshot-report-overall-publishing-industry-up-3-5-for-month-of-january/ thestar.com/business/opinion/2020/01/27/print-still-rules-when-it-comes-to-books-in-ontario.html voxburner.com/blog-source/2015/5/18/16-24-prefer-books-as-physical-products newzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/PRESSRELEASE_2012_Kindle_Newzoo_15042012_V4.pdf publishingperspectives.com/2022/11/aap-six-charts-on-the-us-book-market-2017-to-2021/ statista.com/statistics/422595/print-book-sales-usa/ statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-media/epublishing/ebooks/worldwide statista.com/outlook/amo/media/books/physical-books/worldwide static1.squarespace.com/static/550334cbe4b0e08b6885e88f/t/6451113bd9fd6d74b9309140/1683034429461/CBC_2022_PDF.pdf

Rob Errera

Rob Errera is an award-winning journalist embedded in the world of printers and printing supplies. Rob has nearly two decades of experience writing about cutting edge technology, business trends, and the ever-evolving industry of printing.

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Paper Books vs E-Books: Which One Is Better for Reading?

Article 24 Mar 2023 6071 0

Paper Book Vs eBook

In today's digital age, the debate over paper books vs e-books has become a hot topic among readers. While traditional paper books have been around for centuries, the rise of e-books and e-readers has disrupted the publishing industry and changed the way we read. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of paper books and e-books, their impact on the environment, and how they have impacted reading habits and preferences. We will also help readers make an informed decision about which option is better for their personal reading preferences.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paper Books and E-Books

Paper Books:

  • Advantages:
  • Physical books provide a tactile and sensory experience that e-books cannot replicate.
  • Many readers enjoy the smell and feel of a new or old book, the ability to turn physical pages, and the convenience of using bookmarks.
  • Paper books do not require a power source or device to read, making them accessible anywhere.
  • Some studies have shown that reading physical books can improve reading comprehension and retention.
  • Disadvantages:
  • Physical books take up space and can be heavy, making them difficult to carry around.
  • They can be expensive to produce, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
  • Printing and shipping physical books requires a significant amount of resources, which can impact the environment negatively.
  • E-books are lightweight and portable, allowing readers to carry thousands of books in a single device.
  • They are generally more affordable than physical books and are easily accessible online.
  • E-books are more environmentally friendly as they do not require physical production or transportation.
  • They offer features such as adjustable font size, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to highlight and take notes.
  • E-books require a power source or device to read, limiting accessibility in areas without electricity or internet access.
  • They can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted from devices.
  • Some readers prefer the tactile experience of physical books and find e-books less satisfying.

Environmental Impact of Paper Book Production vs E-Book Production

The production of paper books requires a significant amount of resources, including trees, water, and energy. According to The New York Times, it takes an estimated 12 trees to produce one ton of paper. In addition, the production of paper books requires large amounts of water and energy, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. On the other hand, e-books have a lower carbon footprint as they do not require physical production or transportation. However, the production and disposal of e-readers and other electronic devices also have environmental consequences. Overall, the environmental impact of paper books vs e-books is complex and requires further research and analysis.

Impact of E-Books on the Publishing Industry

The rise of e-books has disrupted the publishing industry, impacting bookstores, publishers, and authors. According to Forbes, e-book sales have declined since 2015, while paperback sales have seen a steady increase. This trend may be due to the convenience and affordability of e-books, which has resulted in a shift in consumer preferences. However, physical bookstores and independent bookshops have also seen a resurgence in recent years, as some readers prefer the tactile and sensory experience of physical books.

Reading Experience and Preferences

The reading experience and preferences of readers for paper books vs e-books are subjective and vary depending on personal preferences and reading habits. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults had read a print book in the past year, while only 28% had read an e-book. The same survey found that readers who prefer e-books cited convenience, price, and portability as their main reasons for choosing digital reading materials. Meanwhile, those who prefer paper books cited the tactile experience, the ability to physically display books, and the lack of eye strain or fatigue as their primary reasons for sticking with printed materials.

Another factor that can impact a reader's preference is the type of content they are consuming. For example, readers may prefer e-books for genres such as romance, mystery, and thriller, where they may consume a higher volume of books in a shorter period. On the other hand, readers may prefer physical books for genres such as poetry, art, or photography books, where the visual and tactile experience is a significant part of the reading experience.

Accessibility is another key consideration for many readers. E-books are more accessible for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as they offer customizable font sizes and text-to-speech options. E-books also offer the convenience of being able to purchase and download books instantly, without having to leave one's home or visit a physical bookstore. However, physical books have the advantage of being able to be borrowed from libraries or shared among friends, which may be more difficult with digital books due to copyright restrictions and digital rights management (DRM) technology.

Cost is another significant factor for many readers. E-books are generally cheaper than physical books, with some e-books being available for free. However, readers should keep in mind that the cost of an e-reader or tablet must be factored in as well. Physical books may be more expensive, but they can also be resold or passed on to others, which can offset their initial cost.

While the convenience and accessibility of e-books are undeniable, they have also disrupted the publishing industry in significant ways. E-books have enabled self-publishing, which has given many authors the ability to publish their work without the backing of a traditional publishing house. This has led to a proliferation of new and diverse voices in the literary world, but it has also created a crowded and competitive marketplace where it can be difficult for authors to get noticed.

Final Thought

In conclusion, both paper books and e-books have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, reading habits, and the type of content being consumed. Paper books offer a tactile and visual experience that many readers prefer, while e-books offer convenience, affordability, and accessibility. The impact of e-books on the publishing industry and reading habits is significant and ongoing, and it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.

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reading book outdoors

Survey: Most people prefer reading paper books over digital books on tablets, phones

LONDON —  Digital books on tablets, smartphones, and devices like Amazon’s Kindle are certainly convenient, but according to a new survey most people still prefer a good old fashioned paper book. There’s just something satisfying about turning the page and holding a physical book in one’s hands, as over two-thirds of adults say they always opt for a real book over digital reading.

Put together by Oxfam , researcher polled 2,000 respondents in the United Kingdom regarding their thoughts on paper books versus digital books. Close to half (46%) enjoy physically turning pages and 42 percent prefer the feel of a physical book in their hands. One in four say they love the smell of paper books. Meanwhile, another 32 percent feel like they become much more immersed in the story while reading a paper book and 16 percent go for traditional books because they remind them of libraries.

The look and feel of books is still special

Interestingly, over a third of respondents (35%) enjoy buying paper books because that allows them to proudly display them on their bookshelf as a background during Zoom meetings.

All in all, only 16 percent of adults prefer digital books and a meager eight percent who favor audio books. On average, the survey finds most adults own 49 books and read for three hours per week.

“People prefer to read physical books because they offer something more tangible and grounded. There’s something that can feel more “permanent” about real books over digital for mats,” says Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, in a statement. “Reading offers us a for m of escapism. It provides us with a break from our everyday lives, and often also, an opportunity to learn something new and expand our minds.”

What’s old is new again

Over half the poll (58%) read to relax, while 46 percent usually read as a break from the real world. More than three in 10 like to read as a means of learning something new and 39 percent read to feel happier. Close to half (45%) have been reading more ever since COVID lockdowns began. Moving past the pandemic, 84 percent plan to take a few books with them on vacation this year.

Three-quarters say they’re considering donating books they’ve finished and 72 percent usually buy used books themselves. Moreover, this research suggests that books are the top item most adults are willing to buy used. Seventy-one percent say they buy used books because it is cheaper and 52 percent do it because it is better for the environment.

Nearly one in five (18%) just like the smell of used books, while another 18 percent like the texture of a second-hand book. Fifteen percent of respondents just love the idea that they might find a note or letter written inside a used book. Nearly one in two people (45%) like to ponder where their old books have been before landing in their hands.

Generally speaking, 49 percent of adults often buy second-hand items, with goods such as books, clothes, CDs, DVDs, and cars topping the list. Six in 10 adults believe buying used items is just as good as buying new.

The survey was conducted by OnePoll.

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research paper vs books

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Research Paper vs Report: Breaking Down the Difference

The purpose of this article is to discuss the distinct differences between a research paper and a report. As academic writing has evolved, so too have the structures used to convey information in an organized and succinct manner. The distinctions between these two types of scholarly work are important for any student or researcher engaging in research-based activities as they can make all the difference when it comes to effectively conveying ideas and results accurately. This article will take an in-depth look at both reports and papers, discussing their similarities, differences, components, uses, and best practices for producing quality products that serve their intended purpose properly.

I. Introduction to Research Paper and Report Writing

Ii. defining the differences between a research paper and report, iii. creating an outline for your project, iv. structuring the body of your work, v. ensuring proper citation techniques are utilized in your work, vi. finalizing, editing and publishing the completed project, vii. conclusion: comparing the benefits of writing either a research paper or report.

Research Paper and Report Writing: Writing research papers and reports can be challenging, especially for students who are new to the field of academic writing. Yet these two distinct forms of written communication are essential components in higher education. It is important to understand the differences between a research paper and a report so that one can approach each assignment with clarity of purpose and expectation from their readers.

In academic writing, there are two distinct types of documents which have important distinctions: the research paper and the report. Both styles require different approaches in terms of structure and content.

A research paper is a type of composition that requires its author to investigate an idea or concept through scholarly sources; it must then be presented in a written format. This style typically focuses on one particular point or argument with evidence used to back up assertions made throughout the document.

The main purpose of this type of work is usually to inform readers about certain topics while utilizing personal analysis as well as gathering information from credible sources. As such, it often contains detailed descriptions and explanations based upon current findings within relevant subject areas.

It’s also worth noting that most research papers will contain conclusions drawn by their authors regarding their respective fields – although these can take many forms including opinions, deductions, predictions etc.

A report differs from a research paper primarily because its focus lies more upon summarizing existing material rather than introducing new ideas. It’s generally defined as an orderly account containing facts pertaining to some aspect or aspects being investigated; reports tend not to offer recommendations nor do they include critical assessments. Reports are designed for specific audiences – academics, businesses etc., meaning they should always adhere closely to established guidelines depending on their target reader-base. Additionally, while visual elements may be included such as diagrams/charts/pictures etc.; text makes up the majority of any given report – usually accompanied by headings so points can easily be referenced at later stages.

Organizing Your Ideas Developing an outline for your project is one of the most important steps in the writing process. Not only will it help you get organized, but it also helps to set up a timeline and structure that can be followed while working on each section. Additionally, creating an outline allows you to brainstorm ideas related to your topic and decide which points are worth exploring further during research. When crafting an outline, two main elements must be taken into account: the type of paper being written (research paper or report) as well as its purpose (informative or persuasive). Depending on whether a student is tasked with producing a research paper or report for their assignment, they should tailor their outlining approach accordingly. Research papers typically include more detailed information compared to reports because they explore topics from different angles and require greater analysis from the author’s end; whereas reports focus mainly on summarising collected data rather than drawing conclusions about them.

When writing a research paper, you are creating something that is meant to be read and understood by an audience. It’s important to structure the body of your work in such a way as to make it easier for readers to follow along with the information being presented. The same holds true when structuring reports.

  • Research Paper:

When putting together your research paper, create clear and concise points which explain why or how certain things occur within the subject material being discussed. Additionally, try including sources from credible authors who have conducted similar studies on this topic for added credibility. Finally, use subheadings throughout each section of your essay so that readers can easily move between topics without having to re-read previous paragraphs or pages.

Correct Citation Practices for Reports and Research Papers

Having the correct citation practices in place is essential to any report or research paper. Properly citing sources helps ensure accuracy of information, provides readers with further resources for additional context, and helps to protect you from plagiarism. To create effective citations, there are a few key steps that should be followed.

The first step is understanding the difference between reports and research papers – as each type will have different requirements when it comes to citation techniques. A report is an organized collection of facts related to a certain topic; these types of documents usually do not require citations but still need accurate documentation if needed information came from another source (such as books or articles). On the other hand, a research paper requires more than just listing facts – it requires critical analysis which means citations must be used throughout in order reference work done by other authors. When creating citations within this kind of document its important they follow whatever format has been specified (e.g., APA style).

  • (Italicize) Report: An organized collection of facts relating to a certain topic.
  • (Bold) Research Paper: Requires critical analysis and needs references throughout using an appropriate citation style such as APA.

The process of finalizing, editing and publishing a completed project can be overwhelming but also highly rewarding. Once you have achieved the desired results from your hard work and research, it’s time to bring all the pieces together for presentation to an audience.

It is important to note that there are different approaches when finalizing projects depending on whether it is a report or a research paper. Reports typically involve summarizing findings in easy-to-understand language, while research papers may require more depth as well as citing sources throughout the document.

  • When finalizing reports:

Ensure data accuracy by verifying facts before presenting them; make sure content is concisely written with clarity; review any visuals included in order to ensure they accurately portray ideas being discussed; proofread multiple times before sharing information with colleagues or readership at large.

  • When finalizing research papers:

Perform extensive literature reviews on topics related to main argument(s) made within paper; include citations where appropriate according to chosen formatting style guidelines (APA, MLA etc); double check if any interviews conducted during course of investigation need additional context added prior to submission/publication; use own voice throughout text but remain objective when making statements about other scholars’ works.

In conclusion, both research papers and reports offer distinct advantages. While it may be difficult to definitively say which type of writing is better overall, the right one for a given situation can depend on an individual’s needs or interests.

Research papers are beneficial when trying to dive deeply into any given topic. They often involve extensive research from outside sources as well as original analysis by the author. Additionally, they can also provide valuable perspectives that help readers gain new insights about their subject matter in a unique way.

On the other hand, reports present information in a more straightforward manner with fewer details than what’s found in research papers but still enough substance to make them useful for decision-making processes or problem solving tasks where precise facts need to be presented quickly and accurately. They tend to focus more on summaries rather than interpretations while avoiding excessive technical jargon so they remain accessible even if readers don’t have expert knowledge of the subject being discussed.

  • It’s clear that each form of writing has its own set of benefits

, making them both essential components of scholarly communication no matter what field you specialize in!

English: In conclusion, the difference between a research paper and a report is of great significance. Research papers require more in-depth exploration into the subject matter while reports are typically summaries or reviews of relevant information on an issue. It is important to recognize this distinction when approaching any writing assignment that may require either format. By understanding what constitutes each type of document, students can develop their skills in both areas as well as become better equipped to tackle challenging academic tasks with confidence.

Books vs. Electronic Resources in Learning Research Paper

Introduction, overview of electronic sources, impact on learning, the argument for printed sources, against the argument of printed sources, works cited.

It is hard to believe, but there was a time when going to the library was the only method of obtaining information during the learning process. At present, the sources forms which information can be obtained far surpass the printed books in libraries. Despite the variations in the learning sources, apart from printed books and journals, the rest of the sources share one attribute in common, they are all electronic. Such sources might include electronic books (e-books) and journals, video courses, interactive materials, web articles, audio lectures, and other digitalized versions of information. Despite such variations, it cannot be said that there is a complete integration of such sources in the classroom. Apart from distance learning, most educational institutions still use printed books as the main instruction materials in learning. Assessing the importance of both “categories” of learning materials, i.e. printed and electronic resources, it can be stated that there are two points of view that exist. On the one hand, there was a time at the start of the expansion of digital learning it was predicted that textbooks will gradually disappear.

Needless to say that such a thing did not happen, whereas in 2010 analysis revealed that the percentage of e-books is merely six percent compared to printed books, the implementation of a total conversion to digital sources might be seen as very costly. At the same time, it is obvious that electronic sources have many advantages over the printed information carriers, which might far surpass the aesthetic pleasure of using a printed book, especially in terms of the benefits for learning. In that regard, the present research paper will attempt to provide an analysis of both types of content, arguing for the opinion that electronic resources have an unmatched potential and at the same time have a positive impact on the learning process. The paper is addressed to a wide category of readers, although students can be seen benefitting the most, especially those deciding between obtaining either a printed or a digital version of course material.

Electronic sources used for learning can be categorized into several types. The main criterion for each type to be included in the list of electronic resources is for them to exist in a digital form. One of the types of electronic resources is electronic publications, including books, journals, magazines, etc, which exist in electronic form. Such types of resources can be accessed either from computers or electronic devices, usually called e-readers. Within the scope of this article, the term e-book might refer to any of the aforementioned types of electronic resources such as articles and journals, not only books. Other types of electronic resources are used in conjunction with the word multimedia, i.e. adding visual or audio elements that enhance the perception of the material. Such resources can be seen on either an interactive interface delivered on such medium as CDs or DVDs, or through accessing web-based portals. The main points are similar with e-books, a digitalized content to which certain visual or audio elements were added.

Nevertheless, in the context of learning, it can be stated that electronic resources are concerned only with books and journals. In order to be more specific, journal imply scholarly article, while under the term books, textbooks are implied, rather than literature used for personal reading. Usually textbooks are purchased through online stores, while electronic journals can be provided through databases. Such databases are usually external, and provide subscriptions to universities, the access to which are granted to students, either from campus or outside of the campus. In terms of academic activities and research, it is stated that “[t]here is an increasing preference for the electronic to the detriment of the printed format… [where] e-resources are being well used compared with CD-ROM databases” (Madhusudhan 493).

The benefits of electronic resources are numerous. The general ones, i.e. those unrelated to the learning process and academic performance can be seen through the following points:

  • Cost – the cost factor can be seen as one of the most influential for students when choosing which version of the resource they should obtain, i.e. the electronic version or the printed version. The latter is specifically true for textbooks. Unlike electronic article and journals databases, the access to textbooks is not provided by educational institutions. A quick comparison between the prices of electronic and printed versions of textbooks can quickly indicate that during the course of study students can save a substantial amount of money. An indication on the site of CourseSmart, a “provider of digital course materials” which library contains “over 90% of the core textbooks in use today in North American Higher Education”, shows that sums up to $2,625 can be saved over the course of 3 years (CourseSmart).
  • Space – Large libraries require a lot of space to manage, and in that regard, it can be stated that carrying a couple of 600 –pages core textbooks every day is not an easy one, not to mention where they should be stored. When the number of textbooks to store increases from 3 to 6 it might became a little difficult. It cannot be said that such aspect poses difficulties to students, rather than the fact that a number of books more than 100 times larger than the aforementioned can be carried and stored on a device, the size of a single slim book.
  • Paper consumption is reduced.
  • Trees are saved.
  • Energy consumption used in books production is reduced.
  • Elimination of packaging materials.
  • Fuel consumption used in transportation is reduced (Pastore).

Numbers might indicate the nature of the impact on environment, where statistics have shown that about 200 million free e-books were downloaded from a website titled project Gutenberg. Such number actually indicates that about 2 million and two hundred thousand trees were saved (Pastore).

Learning can be seen one of the main argument supporting the usage of electronic resources. In that regard, the convenience in using electronic resources for academic research is one of the most obvious advantages in learning. The fast access to electronic resources provides great advantages for scholars and students when conducting a research. Publications are reached more frequently and in a faster manner, which makes electronic resources a good substitute for conventional resources (Sharma).

The results of a case study conducted on the usage of electronic resources in Kurukshetra University, India, published in Madhusudhan (2009) found that such resources became an integral part of information needs of research scholars (Madhusudhan). Electronic journals were found to be the most frequently used sources, with the main purpose being guidance from teachers, friends, and/or colleagues (Madhusudhan 497). Another study in Sharma (2009) that the usage of electronic resources is very common in Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, with a level of dependency on such researches to obtain the required information.

Conducting brief interviews with a couple of students who admitted being dependant on using electronic resources showed the main advantages of using such sources in learning. The main sources used were found to be textbooks, while the advantages revolved around the following factors:

  • The ability for fast search through the text.
  • Faster browsing through the books chapters.
  • The ability to make individualized notes for important information.
  • Mobility of the reading devices.

Additionally, it should be stated that in the long term perspective the usage of electronic resources might provide a lot of opportunities to enhance the learning experience. The latter can be seen through the successful integration of interactive elements into electronic text, erasing the differences between such different categories of learning materials. A simple example of the latter can be seen through the implementation of Apple’s internet tablet –iPad. There are many electronic books on the devices which are made in an application form making the experience “truly interactive” (Singer). Certainly, the price of the device might be seen as a hindrance at early stages, but the technology might have potential, where the usage of electronic resources will not be connected to just reading electronic books, or surfing the web for electronic versions of printed journals. At the same time, audio and visual aid materials will be seamlessly integrated making the most benefit in both research and study.

The argument for printed textbooks can be seen in that despite the fact of a huge interest in reading electronic versions of books the implementation in learning is far from perfect. There are certain hopes connected with using electronic devices for reading educational texts. Such hopes can be easily explained, where students would be able to have whole libraries in their hands, and at the same reducing the expenses associated with printed text books would be much less. Nevertheless, some experiences of wide implementation have shown that e-books are not yet ready to replace printed textbooks. At least that was the conclusion reached at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. The aforementioned educational institution signed along with other US colleges a contract with Amazon, considering testing Kindle DX during a particular learning period (Cannon; Darden School of Business).

The results were rather mixed, especially for the Darden School of Business which cooperated more closely with Amazon. The participants of the experiment, although admitting that Kindle served well as an electronic book, the experience of using the device in learning was less convenient than with printed textbooks. The students/participants were disappointed with the acquired experience, and the majority of them quit using Kindle by the second semester. The reasons that were quoted included the absence of sufficient flexibility to create the involvement needed in the process of learning, e.g. fast switching between tables and graphs (Cannon; Darden School of Business). Accordingly, the same argument can be applied to electronic articles as well, where they resemble the same type of electronic resources.

The arguments for textbooks against other types of electronic resources are not so apparent, but to some extent can be applicable in a way similar to e-books. For example, taking the multimedia interactive materials it can be stated that the same lack of flexibility can be seen similar to e-readers, if the course relied solely on such materials. In that regard, most courses implementing multimedia materials use them as a complementary aid to textbooks.

The argument of a failure in using electronic readers as a replacement for textbook might be seen as an indication of the non-suitability of a device in a particular case, rather than the failure of the whole technology. In that regard, there is certainly the argument of wide integration and the amount of efforts needed for such project to be implemented. Accordingly, the usage of ready solutions, initially intended for personal reading, do not indicate the failure of the idea as a whole. The argument for printed resources only indicates that there should be a solution that would be better suited for students. At the same time, the success in using electronic journals accessed through university campuses imply that electronic resources are needed, while improvements in the methods of their delivery will only make them more accessible. At the same time, it can be stated that there is no current threat in electronic resources totally replacing traditional books and journals. Nevertheless, indicating the significance of electronic resources might set the direction of developing learning materials.

It can be concluded that electronic resources are not a threat for printed materials. They are just a suitable solution in an age in which the information is required to be easily accessed and quickly updated. Electronic resources currently have many advantages in learning, and at the same time hold a great potential to be widely implemented in the future. In that regard, looking at devices such as iPad, it can be stated that the direction for development were already set.

The present research paper supported the position that electronic resources have more advantages in learning and at the same time have a potential for the future. The paper provided an overview of electronic resources and the benefits that they might hold in general, and in learning in particular. Additionally, the paper cited the unsuccessful example of implementing Amazon’s electronic reader as an argument for printed materials. It is also emphasized that the threat of electronic resources replacing traditional method is a little bit exaggerated, where printed sources are still more used.

Cannon, Brevy. “Early Reviews: Kindle Great for Reading, but Stumbles on Textbook Duty”. 2009. UVaToday . Web.

CourseSmart. “About Coursesmart”. 2010. CourseSmart, LLC .

Darden School of Business. “Darden Shares Results of Kindle Experiment”. 2010. University of Virginia Darden School of Business . Web.

Madhusudhan, Margam. “Use of Electronic Resources by Research Scholars of Kurukshetra University.” The Electronic Library 28.4: 492-506 pp. Emerald Insight . Web.

Pastore, Michael. “Ebooks Save Millions of Trees: 10 Ideas for Sustainable Publishing” . 2009. Epublishers Weekly.

Sharma, Chetan. “Use and Impact of E-Resources at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (India): A Case Study.” Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship 10.1 (2009).

Singer, Brett. “Ipad for Education – It’s Not the Size of the Screen, It’s What You Do with It”. 2010. Parent Dish . Web.

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Sex, violence, 'Game of Thrones'-style power grabs — the new 'Shōgun' has it all

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David Bianculli

research paper vs books

Anna Sawai plays translator Toda Mariko in the new FX series Shōgun . Katie Yu/FX hide caption

Anna Sawai plays translator Toda Mariko in the new FX series Shōgun .

The original Shōgun , on NBC, aired in 1980, when miniseries were the hottest things on television. ABC's Roots had broken all ratings records just three years before – and three years later, the star of Shōgun , Richard Chamberlain, would score another massive miniseries hit with ABC's The Thorn Birds .

Even then, adapting James Clavell's sprawling story of an English sea pilot's adventures in Japan in the year 1600, was quite a gamble. The original version avoided subtitles, for the most part, to reflect the confusion the newly arrived pilot, John Blackthorne, felt when encountering Japanese culture and its people.

Except for occasional narration by Orson Welles, who sometimes threw in some radio-style acting by interpreting what a warlord was saying, most viewers in 1980 were as clueless as the sailor in the story. Eventually, things became a bit clearer when one of the Japanese rulers, Lord Toranaga, appointed a trusted translator: Lady Mariko, to whom the pilot became increasingly, and dangerously, attracted.

Part of the great appeal of that miniseries was the powerful performance by Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. Foreign film fans at the time knew him as the star of the original Seven Samurai. But the chemistry between Chamberlain as Blackthorne, and the Japanese actor Yoko Shimada as his translator Mariko, was a big part of it, too.

This new, 10-part interpretation of Shōgun , adapted for TV by the married writing team of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, uses subtitles throughout – a choice that makes the narrative more immediately understandable. It also focuses just as strongly, and just as effectively, on the same three central figures.

research paper vs books

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga Katie Yu/FX hide caption

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga

Lord Toranaga is played by Hiroyuki Sanada, who's so imposing that even his silences are powerful. The translator, Lady Mariko, is played by Anna Sawai, who brings to her character even more strength, mystery and charisma than in the 1980 version. And instead of the matinee-idol-handsome Chamberlain as pilot Blackthorne, we have Cosmo Jarvis – an actor who looks more ruggedly handsome, and sounds a lot like Richard Burton. It takes a while for the three characters, and actors, to share the screen – but when they finally do, it's entrancing.

This new Shōgun has other strong performances as well, but they're not the only things that make this 2024 version so successful. Special and visual effects have improved exponentially in the almost 45 years since the original Shōgun was televised, and it shows here: Every storm at sea, every battle scene and, especially, every earthquake is rendered with excitement and credibility.

And finally, there's the overarching story, which has Toranaga employing Blackthorne as his secret weapon in a deadly civil war. The power grabs among the five rulers are like the hostilities in The Game of Thrones – except instead of a Red Wedding, there's a Crimson Sky.

I went back and rewatched the original Shōgun to see if it holds up. It does. But the several directors who worked on Shōgun for FX deliver a new version that looks much more stunning. It's sexier, more violent, and even more thought-provoking and illuminating than the original ... all of which, in this context, are meant as compliments.

The first two episodes of Shōgun are televised on FX opening night, and streamed the next day on Hulu, with the remaining episodes presented weekly. Don't miss it: With this Shōgun , as with the original, the TV miniseries is alive and well.

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COMMENTS

  1. The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus

    Paper books also have an immediately discernible size, shape and weight. We might refer to a hardcover edition of War and Peace as a hefty tome or a paperback Heart of Darkness as a slim volume ...

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    0. There are a lot of useless papers, and a lot of great papers. Use the books to learn the fundamentals, and fill in your knowledge where you need to understand papers. Blog posts, lambda the ultimate, and cstheory.stackexchange are also great resources. Basically: use everything you can get your hands on that is relevant.

  3. The Difference Between a Research Paper and Manuscript

    A Research Paper Research papers are extended scholarly works that explore a specific topic in depth. They generally require an extensive research process, which may involve interviews and surveys as well as traditional library sources such as books or journal articles. These papers typically include the following: Title page ; Abstract

  4. Reading on Paper Versus Screens: What's the Difference?

    Digital reading impairs comprehension, particularly for longer, more complex texts, says Mangen. This may be because of the shallowing hypothesis — constant exposure to fast-paced, digital media trains the brain to process information more rapidly and less thoroughly. "There's not much [neuroscientific research] on the reading of actual ...

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    INTRODUCTION. Digital education has become ubiquitous in health professional education (HPE). 1-3 It can be defined as "the act of teaching and learning by means of digital technologies." 1 Digital education encompasses various teaching and learning approaches, ranging from the simple transformation of text from paper-based to digital formats (eg, portable document format) to the ...

  6. Three-in-ten Americans now read e-books

    Overall, 75% of U.S. adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, whether completely or part way through, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2011, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, 2021. Print books remain the most popular format for reading, with 65% of adults ...

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    The studies showed that students of all ages, from elementary school to college, tend to absorb more when they're reading on paper than on screens, particularly when it comes to nonfiction material. "Sometimes you should print it out, especially if it's long," said Clinton. Clinton now tells her students to order the book if they prefer ...

  8. Research Guides: Articles, Books, and . . . ? Understanding the Many

    Unlike scholarly journals, magazines are written for a mainstream audience and are not peer-reviewed.A handful of academic journals (like Science and Nature) blur the line between these two categories; they publish peer-reviewed articles, but combine them with news, opinions, and full-color photos in a magazine-style presentation.. Trade journals are targeted toward a specific profession or ...

  9. Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper?

    Much of what we read on-screen tends to be text messages and social-media posts. They're usually easy to understand. So, "when people read on-screen, they read faster," says Alexander at the University of Maryland. "Their eyes scan the pages and the words faster than if they're reading on a piece of paper.".

  10. How to Write a Research Paper

    Develop a thesis statement. Create a research paper outline. Write a first draft of the research paper. Write the introduction. Write a compelling body of text. Write the conclusion. The second draft. The revision process. Research paper checklist.

  11. The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: Why Paper Still Beats Screens

    In the U.S., e-books currently make up more than 20 percent of all books sold to the general public. Despite all the increasingly user-friendly and popular technology, most studies published since ...

  12. Books vs Scientific Articles/papers? : r/books

    Books generally are written for a lay audience whereas a journal article will be written for scholars in the field (more jargon, etc.). If you aren't in the field and familiar with it, the journal article may be harder to parse. ETA: Academic journals are also often behind a hefty paywall.

  13. A Comparison of Children's Reading on Paper Versus Screen: A Meta

    Media or medium effect studies have a tradition in reading research, with three recent meta-analyses showing that reading on screen, when compared to reading on paper, is related to lower reading performance among adults, students, and secondary/primary school-aged children (Clinton, 2019; Delgado et al., 2018; Kong et al., 2018).This finding is referred to in the literature as the so-called ...

  14. Journal or Book Chapter: Which is Better For Research Paper?

    If your work targets a specialized audience of experts and addresses a specific technical gap, a journal is likely the right choice. However, if your research has broader applications and can benefit a wider audience, a book chapter or a publication in an industry-specific magazine may be the better option. 3. Publication Timeline.

  15. The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers

    Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than e-readers (Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L., 2023). Though many people find they can read faster ...

  16. Paper or Tablet? Reading Recall and Comprehension

    Results. The total sample size comprised 231 students, 119 digital tablet and 112 paper readers. The 10 multiple-choice items were scored 10-0 (high to low), while the two short-answer items were coded for comprehension (4-0, high to low). To determine group differences, t -tests compared scores between paper and tablet readers.

  17. Books vs. e-books: The science behind the best way to read

    The study found that people with dyslexia read more effectively, and with greater ease, when using the e-reader compared with reading on paper. Schneps, who was the lead author on the paper, said ...

  18. Printed Books vs eBooks Statistics, Trends and Facts [2024]

    At a Glance: Books vs. eBooks. The global paper books market will encompass around 1.87 billion readers by 2027, while e-reader users are expected to reach 1.2 billion.; The U.S. market demonstrates a continued preference for print books with 788.7 million units sold in 2022.; Despite trends towards digitalization, a 2021 survey revealed that 68% of younger readers (18 to 29-year-olds) in the ...

  19. (PDF) E-books Versus Print Books: Readers' Choices and ...

    This study examines the preference for e-books and print books in the contexts of reading purpose, reading situation, and contextual variables such as age, gender, education level, race/ethnicity ...

  20. Paper Books vs E-Books: Which One Is Better for Reading?

    Overall, the environmental impact of paper books vs e-books is complex and requires further research and analysis. Impact of E-Books on the Publishing Industry. The rise of e-books has disrupted the publishing industry, impacting bookstores, publishers, and authors. According to Forbes, e-book sales have declined since 2015, while paperback ...

  21. Survey: Most people prefer reading paper books over digital books on

    Put together by Oxfam, researcher polled 2,000 respondents in the United Kingdom regarding their thoughts on paper books versus digital books. Close to half (46%) enjoy physically turning pages and 42 percent prefer the feel of a physical book in their hands. ... Moreover, this research suggests that books are the top item most adults are ...

  22. Research Paper vs Report: Breaking Down the Difference

    Research Paper. A research paper is a type of composition that requires its author to investigate an idea or concept through scholarly sources; it must then be presented in a written format. This style typically focuses on one particular point or argument with evidence used to back up assertions made throughout the document.

  23. Books vs. Electronic Resources in Learning Research Paper

    Despite the variations in the learning sources, apart from printed books and journals, the rest of the sources share one attribute in common, they are all electronic. Such sources might include electronic books (e-books) and journals, video courses, interactive materials, web articles, audio lectures, and other digitalized versions of information.

  24. 'Shōgun' review: This remake adds more sex, violence, intrigue ...

    In 1980, NBC's Shōgun miniseries told the story of an English sea pilot's adventures in Japan in the year 1600. Now, FX's remake is even more thought-provoking and stunning than the original.