obso1337.org

I finally finished my study on right-aligned and left-aligned navigation and its effect on reading speed in weblogs. Read more for the abstract, summary, and link to PDF of the paper.

Abstract

This was an informal and exploratory study to determine if navigation alignment in web design effects reading speed. The study only recorded and compared reading speed and did not consider comprehension or user preference. Left-aligned navigation had a significant improvement over the no-navigation and right-aligned navigation layout. The right-aligned navigation performed slightly slower than the layout with no navigation.

Summary

Right aligned navigation has exploded in weblog design. In a survey of several popular weblogging services and software, almost all of them offered a right-aligned layout in the default design. How or why this became so popular is unknown, but there are several advocates of left-aligned only navigation which contradicts this trend.

The left-aligned navigation was 73 words-per-minute faster than the control (no navigation) and right-aligned navigation layouts. The right-aligned navigation actually performed slower (14wpm) than the control. This was suprising because there is a good bit of research out there which supports layouts with surrounding text.

There are a few independent variables to consider: it was an Internet-based test and environment variables could not be controlled; the sample size may not be large enough to draw suitable conclusions; many of the participants were very comfortable with computers and very literate.

Althought the left-aligned navigation performed better, this was only a measurement of reading speed. Reading comprehension, comprehension, and user comfort/preference are much stronger factors. Further research and testing is needed in order to draw and solid conclusions.

Full Paper

Navigation Layout In Weblog Design (June 2005)

Author’s Comments

On a personal note, I am secretly disappointed the right-aligned navigation didnt perform better. Giving designers more freedom in layout could yield some innovative and explosive designs. I am a supporter of the idea that right-aligned navigation is just too “new” and it distracts users, but isnt necessarily less usable. Hopefully further research will be able to prove or disprove the usability, preference, and usefullness of right-aligned navigation.