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The Effect of Color in Website Design: Searching for Medical Information Online

Nordeborn, Gabriel LU (2013) PSYP02 20131
Department of Psychology
Abstract
As the spread of the internet continues, more people than ever search for medical information online when in need of health advice. Color is a prominent part of website aesthetics, and has been shown in the literature to have both positive and negative psychological effects. A total of 120 participants took part in the present study where the effect of the colors grey, blue, orange and red was tested on the task of searching for medical information online. An experimental website was manipulated with different color schemes, inspired by existing popular websites with the purpose of providing medical information online. Participants then used the website to find and comprehend information about a fictitious disease. Overall, the
results... (More)
As the spread of the internet continues, more people than ever search for medical information online when in need of health advice. Color is a prominent part of website aesthetics, and has been shown in the literature to have both positive and negative psychological effects. A total of 120 participants took part in the present study where the effect of the colors grey, blue, orange and red was tested on the task of searching for medical information online. An experimental website was manipulated with different color schemes, inspired by existing popular websites with the purpose of providing medical information online. Participants then used the website to find and comprehend information about a fictitious disease. Overall, the
results showed no statistically significant effect of website color on either ratings or time spent using the website. A three-way interaction between color, gender and ratings was found, where females rated the red website significantly higher than males on almost all dimensions. The results are discussed in light of similar findings of the color red and its negative effect on males. Future research involving other areas where the potential effect of color might be of benefit is suggested. (Less)
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author
Nordeborn, Gabriel LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP02 20131
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
human-computer interaction, psychology, medical information, color, usability
language
English
id
3918556
date added to LUP
2013-08-26 16:29:48
date last changed
2013-08-26 16:29:48
@misc{3918556,
  abstract     = {{As the spread of the internet continues, more people than ever search for medical information online when in need of health advice. Color is a prominent part of website aesthetics, and has been shown in the literature to have both positive and negative psychological effects. A total of 120 participants took part in the present study where the effect of the colors grey, blue, orange and red was tested on the task of searching for medical information online. An experimental website was manipulated with different color schemes, inspired by existing popular websites with the purpose of providing medical information online. Participants then used the website to find and comprehend information about a fictitious disease. Overall, the
results showed no statistically significant effect of website color on either ratings or time spent using the website. A three-way interaction between color, gender and ratings was found, where females rated the red website significantly higher than males on almost all dimensions. The results are discussed in light of similar findings of the color red and its negative effect on males. Future research involving other areas where the potential effect of color might be of benefit is suggested.}},
  author       = {{Nordeborn, Gabriel}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Effect of Color in Website Design: Searching for Medical Information Online}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}