The first large-scale observational investigation of electronic reading practices

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Frequent recreational reading is associated with good reading ability and high socio-economic status. Nevertheless, 36% of adults in the UK do not read for pleasure. Many struggle with everyday literacy demands that have been further increased by rapid technological development. Comprehensive understanding of reading is needed for developing successful initiatives to enhance adults' reading engagement. While previous research is largely focused on working memory and properties of text, evidence is lacking on reading practices, that is, the variance in how individuals read, especially on electronic platforms. Studies on longitudinal reading practices in everyday life, such as reading a complete novel, have yet to be carried out.Our three original studies will provide a significant contribution as the first large-scale observational investigation of electronic reading practices. We employ an innovative method, an e-reader system that tracks the reading process unobtrusively. The tracking tool allows the participants to read the material on computers and mobile devices, and it includes annotation tools such as highlighting and comments.The first study assesses the influence of motivation type on reading practices. Avid readers value reading as an activity and they frequently experience flow during reading. Less frequent readers, in contrast, are often driven by external rewards and pressures. Motivation type is known to affect reading engagement, but it is unknown how it influences reading practices. Extrinsic motivation will be induced for half of the participants by including a comprehension test at the end of the experiment and by limiting autonomy in the selection of the reading material.Individuals frequently report lack of time as the reason for not reading more, however only few read as often as they engage in internet browsing or watching television for leisure. In the second study, adults reading a fictional novel will be observed over 18 months. The study provides rich data on how reading can be incorporated into daily life and what are the most common locations, times and devices for reading.Reluctant readers have the ability to read but they do not engage in reading willingly without extrinsic obligation. They tend to have negative reading attitudes and less efficient working memory function than avid readers. In this study we will determine if there is a relationship between specific reading practices and general reluctance to read. Eye tracking with mobile devices will be added to the e-reader and used to assess whether eye movement patterns differ between frequent readers and non-readers.A computational model for task switching during reading will be developed on the basis of the first two studies. The third study will use the model to understand differences of task switching in relation to reading frequency.The usage of the e-reader website will provide novel data to broaden our understanding of recreational reading, including where, when and on which devices individuals prefer to read. This inspires future efforts to increase adult reading engagement. Information on reading practices can be utilized in designing reading spaces that respond to the readers' demands. Additionally, the task switching model provides a considerable contribution to the theoretical understanding of reading as a complex activity.