Online or Print: Which Do Students Prefer?

Many studies indicate that the format of a text, electronic or print, impacts comprehension and depth of learning, both of which are essential skills for information literacy. How cognizant are college students of this effect? When they need to read a text for academic purposes, do they express a preference for print or digital? This paper discusses a survey of reading format preferences and behaviors of 390 undergraduates at the University of California, Los Angeles ( UCLA), a large public university. Results will interest librarians, educators, and technology policymakers. The simplicity of the questionnaire makes it a viable instrument for use by researchers in other language communities and cultures.