Highlights
• Print reading consistently leads to better understanding, especially over time.
• Fiction comprehension is the same in print and digital formats.
• Print leads to better comprehension of complex informational texts, while format has no effect on narrative understanding.
» 4 mins read
Have you ever wondered whether you understand stories better when reading them on your phone or in a physical book? As digital reading becomes more common, this question matters more than ever (e.g., The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens). While recent studies highlight the benefits of digital reading, new research comparing digital and print formats reveals fascinating insights into how the brain processes information differently depending on the medium.
A comprehensive study by Delgado and colleagues examined 17 years of research data to understand how reading medium affects your comprehension. Their findings might surprise you, especially if you’re someone who enjoys reading fiction on digital devices.
What the Research Reveals About Print Reading vs Digital Reading
The meta-analysis1 examined 54 studies conducted between 2000 and 2017, comparing comprehension between digital reading and print reading. The researchers used rigorous methods to ensure fair comparisons, including studies where participants read the same content on both formats.
The study included two main types of research designs. In between-participants studies, different groups read either digitally or on paper. In within-participants studies, the same people read both formats. Both approaches showed consistent results about the differences between digital reading and print reading.
To qualify for the analysis, studies had to meet specific criteria. Participants needed to read individually and silently, without any reading difficulties or cognitive impairments. The reading materials had to be identical across both formats, ensuring that any differences in comprehension were due to the medium itself, not the content.
The Surprising Finding About Print Reading Superiority
The research revealed that print reading consistently leads to better comprehension than digital reading. This “print superiority” effect remained consistent across different study designs and methodological approaches.
Perhaps most interesting is that this advantage has actually grown stronger over time. Between 2000 and 2017, the gap between digital reading and print reading comprehension widened rather than narrowed. This contradicts the common assumption that as we become more familiar with digital devices, our digital reading comprehension would improve.
The researchers found this pattern holds true even as digital technology has advanced and people have gained more experience with screens. This suggests that the differences between digital reading and print reading may be more fundamental than just a matter of familiarity.
When Digital Reading Performs Just as Well as Print Reading
Here’s where the research gets particularly interesting for fiction lovers. The study found that the type of text you’re reading significantly affects whether print reading has an advantage over digital reading.
For informational texts that require deeper processing and careful analysis, print reading showed a clear advantage. These texts typically demand more effort from your brain to understand and remember the content. Similarly, when studies mixed informational and narrative texts together, print reading came out ahead.
However, when researchers looked specifically at narrative texts alone, they found no significant difference between digital reading and print reading comprehension. This suggests that when you’re reading engaging stories that flow naturally, your brain can process them equally well regardless of the format.
This finding has important implications for how you might choose your reading medium. If you’re studying complex academic material or reading detailed reports, print reading might give you a comprehension advantage. But if you’re enjoying a novel or short story, digital reading can be just as effective.
What This Means for Your Reading Habits
The research suggests that both digital reading and print reading have their place in your reading routine. The key is understanding when each format works best for your specific goals.
For academic reading, technical manuals, or complex non-fiction, consider choosing print reading when possible. The research indicates you may retain and understand this type of material better on paper.
For leisure reading, especially fiction and narratives, feel free to choose whichever format you prefer. The research shows that digital reading works just as well as print reading for these types of texts.
Keep in mind that the research on narrative texts specifically was limited, so scientists need more studies to draw definitive conclusions about different text types. This represents an important area for future research as our reading habits continue to evolve.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not offer recommendations, endorse specific practices, or serve as a basis for educational or therapeutic decisions.
This post is a summary of a peer-reviewed article published in a rigorous scientific journal. For full details, methodology, and context, please refer to the original publication cited here: 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.
- A statistical analysis that combines results from multiple studies to identify overall trends. ↩︎