REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Print vs. Digital Reading Preferences

According to PelHughes (2021), In the ever-evolving landscape of readership and

business communication, the popularity of digital media is undeniable, with people embracing
digital devices for reading news and e-books. However, traditional print materials still hold a
special place in the hearts of many, as they enjoy the tactile experience of holding physical
books and printed publications. Businesses face the challenge of balancing their marketing
efforts between digital and print media to cater to diverse consumer preferences. Surprisingly,
these preferences are not strictly age-dependent, with young and old generations appreciating
both mediums.

Moreover, Notable statistics reveal that college students often prefer physical textbooks
for reasons such as reduced eyestrain and the ability to highlight text. In 2018, the print book
industry significantly outsold digital copies, with a substantial portion of book sales attributed to
individuals under 44. Research also suggests that print may enhance comprehension and
retention for non-fiction material. In the business world, the choice between print and digital
advertising depends on careful market research and performance evaluation. Pel Hughes, a
woman-owned enterprise, offers in-house printing services for direct mail and marketing
materials, catering to businesses of all sizes across various industries, ensuring that they can
effectively navigate this dynamic landscape.

Environmental Considerations

Towler B. (2022) states that, from an environmental perspective, physical books offer a
notable advantage in terms of longevity and shared use. They can be enjoyed by multiple
readers if well cared for, effectively amortizing their environmental footprint. For instance, when
a book is read multiple times, the impact of its production is divided, lessening its overall
environmental cost. In stark contrast, the production of a single e-reader results in a significantly
higher carbon footprint, emitting around 100 times more greenhouse gases than that of a paper
book. However, it's essential to acknowledge that paper books contribute to deforestation, a
substantial driver of climate change, with up to 14% of deforestation aimed at satisfying the
demand for paper products. The process of turning wood into paper further consumes
significant amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, with approximately two glasses of water
needed for every page in a book. The transportation impact of books is a complex matter, as it
depends on factors like whether they were bought locally or online, involving potential fossil fuel
consumption. Moreover, a substantial amount of energy is wasted in the transportation and
disposal of books returned to publishers, with approximately 30% of books from major
publishers expected to be returned, highlighting the broader environmental considerations
surrounding the world of physical books.

Cognitive Differences

Dixon T. (2023), states that, while dedicated e-readers designed solely for reading may
lack distracting notifications and apps, studies suggest that the digital format's inherent structure
can pose challenges for comprehension. The high cognitive load associated with digital text, as
revealed in previous research, can be attributed to the difficulty of placing text in context when
reading on a screen. In contrast, physical books offer an advantage in this regard, allowing
readers to easily connect and contextualize information. The ability to quickly skim pages, view
headings, and access preceding and succeeding content facilitates comprehension, a feature
often lacking in digital readers where text disappears from the screen. Studies comparing print,
scrolling, and non-scrolling reading experiences have shown that those requiring scrolling tend
to perform worse on reading comprehension tests.

However, there is a silver lining for fiction enthusiasts, as research suggests no clear
difference in reading comprehension between digital and print formats for fiction genres.
Nevertheless, when it comes to efficient and focused study, especially under time constraints,
traditional textbooks may offer a more effective option compared to digital readers, making them
the preferred choice for cramming or in-depth learning.

Digital Reading Experiences

In this action research conducted by Yamaç and Öztürk (2019), the primary objective
was to unveil the evolving insights and development of preservice teachers in the domain of
new literacy within the online research and comprehension process. The study provides
valuable insights into the multifaceted skills, strategies, and dispositions exhibited by teacher
candidates as they navigate the complexities of online research and comprehension. While
traditional literacy skills remain pertinent, the unique nature of the internet environment
necessitates the acquisition of additional competencies. Notably, the teacher candidates
demonstrated their adept use of information-seeking strategies, reading techniques, methods
for assessing reliability, and online synthesis and content creation to effectively engage in online
research and comprehension. This process also led to the enhancement of their digital skills
through the utilization of various technological tools and applications. Moreover, as a result of
their online research and comprehension experiences, the teacher candidates developed a
critical approach to online data, gaining a heightened awareness of the significance of reliable
information sources. Ultimately, their confidence in technology and online research skills was
significantly bolstered, equipping them with a valuable set of competencies crucial for navigating
the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Academic and Professional Reading

Based on the findings and discussions provided by Manalu (2019), titled “Students’
Perception of Digital Texts Reading: A Case Studyat the English Education Department of
Universitas Kristen Indonesia”, it can be deduced that the participants in the study maintained a
positive perception of digital texts as a crucial component of their academic life. These
individuals expressed a distinct preference for digital texts over printed counterparts, primarily
due to the frequent assignment of digital materials by their lecturers. Being part of a tech-savvy
generation, the participants demonstrated a high level of skill in navigating and utilizing digital
texts, further reinforcing their inclination toward this medium. Additionally, their motivation to
engage with digital texts was significantly fueled by the attributes of cost-effectiveness,
convenience, and heightened accessibility. Manalu's research underscores the prevailing
influence and importance of digital reading materials in the academic realm, based on the
favorable viewpoints of the study's participants.
 References

1. Pelhughes (2021). Reading Online Vs Print: Consumer Preferences. Retrieve from

https://pelhughes.com/reading-online-vs-print-consumer-preferences/
2. Towler B. (2022). E-readers vs books: Which are better for the environment. Retrieve
from https://commercialwaste.trade/e-readers-vs-books-better-environment/
3. Dixon T. (2023). Digital vs. Print Reading: Which one’s better. Retrieve from
https://www.themantic-education.com/ibpsych/2023/01/30/digital-vs-print-reading-which-
ones-better/
4. Yamaç and Öztürk (2019). How Digital Reading Differs from Traditional Reading: An
Action Research. Retrieve from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219229.pdf
5. Manalu B. (2019). Students’ Perception of Digital Texts Reading: A Case Studyat the
English Education Department of Universitas Kristen Indonesia. Retrieve from
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1266176.pdf