Do Highlighted Keywords and Hyperlinks Improve Reading? Evidence from Eye-Tracking

Martin Magdin; Štefan Koprda; Aneta Boháčová

doi:10.3991/ijep.v16i2.59031

Authors

Martin Magdin Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia; University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2331-9247
Štefan Koprda Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4176-1805
Aneta Boháčová University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1342-1678

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v16i2.59031

Keywords:

Eye Tracking, fixation, regression, study text

Abstract

This study investigates, via an eye-tracking experiment, the effect of visually distinguishing keywords and hyperlinks on the processes of reading and comprehending specialized text. The research sample comprised 42 undergraduate students divided into control and experimental groups (EG). The control group (CG) worked with a text without hypertext highlighting, while the EG read the same text with marked key terms and the option of hypertext navigation. Analyses of fixations, saccades, and regressions revealed that students made only minimal use of hyperlinks, and the differences between groups were not statistically significant. In both groups, attention shifted toward images at the expense of the text, and the number of regressions was higher during the first reading but decreased upon rereading after two weeks. The findings suggest that visual highlighting of keywords alone, without more comprehensive structural adjustments to the text, does not fundamentally influence reading literacy or the efficiency of comprehension.

Author Biographies

Martin Magdin, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia; University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská, Czech Republic

doc. PaedDr. Martin Magdin, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia. His academic work focuses on computer science education, adaptive e-learning systems, and educational technologies. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications and has participated in several national and international research projects. Dr. Magdin is also involved in supervising Ph.D. students and actively contributes to the development of innovative teaching methods in the field of informatics.

Štefan Koprda, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia

doc. Ing. Štefan Koprda, PhD. is an associate professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia. His research interests include applied informatics, software engineering, and information systems. He has been actively involved in academic research, teaching, and the development of modern IT solutions in education. Dr. Koprda has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings and regularly participates in both national and international research projects.

Aneta Boháčová, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic

Mgr. Aneta Boháčová, Ph.D. is the Vice-Dean at the Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Her academic background lies in education and pedagogy, with a focus on didactics and the integration of innovative teaching methods into teacher training. Dr. Boháčová is actively involved in both research and university administration, contributing to curriculum development, international cooperation, and the support of future educators. She has authored several scholarly publications and regularly presents at educational conferences across Europe.

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