
ERIC Number: ED307854
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Feb
Pages: 52
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Learner Preferences for Typeface (Font) and Leading in Print Materials.
Misanchuk, Earl R.
This study examined learner preference for different typefaces and vertical spacing or leading in print materials used in independent study university extension courses. For several years, these materials were produced using 12-point Times font on the default leading provided by Microsoft Word 3.0 (approximately 12-point line). A questionnaire provided students with five font choices with three different levels of leading. Thurstone scales were constructed to determine the relative popularity of the fonts and leading, and the results showed that students preferred Bookman font on a 13-point line by a wide margin over all other combinations. The currently used Times font at default leading was found to be low on the preference scale. Although the results of this study should not be over-interpreted, it is suggested that print-based materials are preferred by learners when they are produced on a 13 point line of 26 picas length (approximately 4.25 inches), with an extra 6-point leading after paragraphs. It is recommended that all new courses and revisions of existing courses be produced in this manner. (EW)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A