Cognitive Load in Reading in Digital Environment

Reading hypertext is a task of exploration. Unlike print text, which is typically read in a sequence prescribed by the author, hypertext is presented in brief nodes that contain one or more concise expository paragraphs, for which the reader determines access sequence. The ubiquity of hyperlinked information as a medium for presenting content raised the issue of how reading processes are affected by the features that distinguish hypertext from linear text. The presence of links in text introduces decision-making process and interruptions to reading that can either enrich the reading experience and/or increase the complexity of the comprehension process. This paper discusses about how hypertext features influenced cognitive process in reading, with a focus on comprehension and navigation.

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