Difference in memory recall among medical students after reading printed text(hard copy) vs. on screen text(soft copy)

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in "memory recall" among undergraduates (UGs) and postgraduates (PGs) medical students reading printed text (hard copy) vs. on-screen text (soft copy). METHODSFinal year UGs medical students (Group A) were divided into two batches, one batch was given hard copy of 1258 worded text and other group was given a soft copy of the same text. Likewise PGs (Group B) were divided into two batches, each batch was given hard copy and soft copy of the same text material with identical physical attributes. All batches were asked to read the text in 15 minutes. Text was then removed and a proforma containing statements pertaining to recall of the text material was administered to all. RESULTSThe scores of students reading soft copy text were significantly higher compared to student reading text from hard copy (p