Research Article

Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners

Volume: 26 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners

Abstract

Digital reading tools have become increasingly prominent in language education, yet it remains relatively unclear how frequently EFL learners choose e-books over print and what factors shape this preference. To this end, the present study was conducted with 157 EFL learners to investigate the use of e-books in target language reading in an effort to find out whether learners use e-books more than print books; whether there exists a significant difference in e-book usage ratio based on perceived proficiency level, educational background, and purpose for learning English; and why learners prefer or do not prefer e-books for reading in target language. The quantitative findings indicated that EFL learners use e-books significantly less than print books for target language reading, no significant difference in e-book usage on the basis of perceived proficiency level was found, participants who were pursuing/had completed graduate studies used e-books significantly more than participants who were not/had not, and no significant difference in e-book usage according to purpose for learning English was observed. The qualitative findings revealed the strengths (accessibility, practicality, portability, dictionary and translation) and the challenges (unaccustomedness, inadequate information, note-taking issues, and health issues) of using e-books in target language reading. Given the findings, the study offers insights into the utilization of e-books in target language reading.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Instructional Technologies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 26 Number: 2

APA
Altınbaş, M. E., & Gürbüz, N. (2026). Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 26(2), 842-861. https://doi.org/10.17240/aibuefd.2026..-1691901
AMA
1.Altınbaş ME, Gürbüz N. Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners. BAİBÜEFD. 2026;26(2):842-861. doi:10.17240/aibuefd.2026.-1691901
Chicago
Altınbaş, Mehmet Emre, and Nurdan Gürbüz. 2026. “Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences Among Language Learners”. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 26 (2): 842-61. https://doi.org/10.17240/aibuefd.2026. -1691901.
EndNote
Altınbaş ME, Gürbüz N (June 1, 2026) Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 26 2 842–861.
IEEE
[1]M. E. Altınbaş and N. Gürbüz, “Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners”, BAİBÜEFD, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 842–861, June 2026, doi: 10.17240/aibuefd.2026..-1691901.
ISNAD
Altınbaş, Mehmet Emre - Gürbüz, Nurdan. “Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences Among Language Learners”. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 26/2 (June 1, 2026): 842-861. https://doi.org/10.17240/aibuefd.2026. -1691901.
JAMA
1.Altınbaş ME, Gürbüz N. Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners. BAİBÜEFD. 2026;26:842–861.
MLA
Altınbaş, Mehmet Emre, and Nurdan Gürbüz. “Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences Among Language Learners”. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 842-61, doi:10.17240/aibuefd.2026. -1691901.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Emre Altınbaş, Nurdan Gürbüz. Reading in the Digital Age: A Comparative Investigation of E-Book Use and Format Preferences among Language Learners. BAİBÜEFD. 2026 Jun. 1;26(2):842-61. doi:10.17240/aibuefd.2026. -1691901