Effect on lookup aids on mature readers’ recall of technical text

Abstract

Abstract Differential effects of comprehension monitoring fixup activities on mature readers’ free recall performance are reported in this study. In this on‐line experiment, one‐half of the 80 college subjects used instantaneous lookup aids when subjects perceived these aids were necessary for understanding technical material; the other half only read the material. Results of statistical analyses indicated that subjects using lookups were significantly superior in free‐recall performance to the read‐only subjects (p < .001). No direct correlation was found between the number of lookups used and number of idea units recalled. Results further revealed that no differences existed between the two groups for time spent to complete the reading task. Generally, the interpretation was that, despite potential disruption to the flow of understanding, readers’ use of lookups is a necessary and appropriate fixup activity when reading only is inadequate for remedying text confusions.