Clinton’s aim was to bring together some of the most recent findings on reading performance, reading speed and a skill known as metacognition.

Clinton looked at 33 past studies that examined paper versus screen reading. All of the studies were done between 2008 and 2018. The studies collectively had 2,799 study subjects, including both children and adults. All were native English speakers and had usual reading skills for their age.

Clinton’s examination found that reading from paper generally led to better understanding and improved a person’s performance on tests connected to the reading material. And, she found no major differences in reading speed between the two. In other words, paper reading was found to be more efficient.

Such differences were notable only when the reading materials were expository texts-- or explanatory and based on fact. Clinton said she found no major difference when it came to narrative, fictional texts.

Clinton also found that paper readers usually have a higher recognition of how well they have understood a text than screen readers. This skill is called metacognition. The word “cognition” means the mental action of increasing knowledge and understanding. “Metacognition” simply means thinking about one’s own thinking.

Clinton and other researchers have found screen readers often believe they understand a text better than they really do. And, they are more likely than paper readers to overestimate how well they would do on a test of the materials they have read.

Clinton said this is common among all readers.

She said, “We think that we’re reading the story or the book better than we actually are. We think we understand what we are reading better than how we are actually reading.”

Yet, this inflated sense of understanding, or overconfidence, is especially common among screen readers.

Clinton said there are many possible reasons for such findings. Overconfidence of screen readers, for example, could be the result of a distracted, less focused mind.

Reader preference is also important, she said. Research shows the majority of people -- of all ages -- prefer reading from paper.

But, if someone prefers screen reading to paper reading, that person’s understanding of the material is not likely to suffer.

Clinton said, “If you are enjoying the reading process, you’re going to be more involved. You’re going to be paying better attention. Preferences are a key issue here.”

Several studies have found that people often think of paper materials as more important and serious.

“If you are reading from paper, your mind thinks, ‘This is something important. I need to pay attention to it',” Clinton said.

Readers might connect computer screens with fun, less serious activities – such as checking social media or watching Netflix. That, Clinton said, could explain why most studies find no major difference in screen and paper among narrative, fictional reading materials. Clinton described this kind of reading as “enjoyment reading.”

Don’t stop reading from screens

Although her findings may support paper reading over screen reading, Clinton says she does not believe screen reading should be avoided.

Instead, she points to new and developing tools that can be used to improve a screen reader’s understanding and focus.

“For example, when you’re reading off of a screen, it can be programmed that you have to answer questions and get them right before you can continue. Paper can’t make you do that.”

Other tools in development will offer students reading at a lower level more simple texts while providing their other classmates more complex versions of the same text.

Clinton said, “I think the answer, or appropriate response, to seeing findings like mine...is to think of ‘Okay, what can screen do that paper can’t do?’”

Clinton’s findings were published earlier this year in the Journal of Research in Reading. She also presented her results this month at the American Educational Research Association’s yearly meeting, held in Toronto, Canada.