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Article published In:
Scientific Study of Literature
Vol. 11:2 (2021) ► pp.196–222

Reading fiction with an e-book or in print

Purposes, pragmatics and practices. A focus group study

ORCID logo | University of Vienna
ORCID logo | University of Vienna
ORCID logo | University of Vienna
ORCID logo | University of Vienna

Empirical research on the differences between digital and print reading has recently increased, mainly concentrating on informational texts while disregarding literary texts. Concerning narrative fiction, the existing quantitative studies have found no or very few differences between reading printed books and e-books. In our focus group study, we amplify the perspective on digital and print book reading through a largely explorative approach. The results gained by interviewing 34 habitual readers of e-books in six groups show that e-books complement rather than replace printed books. Crucial differences can be found in the dimensions of the reading situation, genre selection, purpose of reading, as well as literary quality and status of the text. Furthermore, our results shed new light on the importance of the printed book as an individual material object, with its own specific iconicity and with notable consequences for intellectual possession, memory, and remembrance of read books and lived reading experiences.

Keywords: fiction reading, digitisation, focus groups, e-books vs. print, leisure reading, digital reading
Article outline
  • Theory and recent research
    • Preparation for reading
    • The act of reading
    • Effects of reading
  • Methodology
    • Focus group interviews
      • Participants
      • Questionnaire
      • Procedure
      • Coding
  • Analysis and findings
    • Preparation for reading
      • Resources: Access to material and price
      • Selection: Genres and reading medium
      • Purpose: Leisure or study
        • Print reading for study and digital reading for leisure
        • Digital reading for study and print reading for leisure
      • Circumstances: Travelling and public transport
    • The act of reading
      • Reading practices and reading situations
      • Ease of use: Comfort and readability
      • Immersion and reading experience
    • Effects of reading
      • Physical presence and intellectual possession
      • Memory and retention
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 2 March 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ssol.21012.kos
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