We evaluated alternative scrolling methods on non–touch screen computer operating systems by comparing human performance in different scrolling conditions.

The scrolling directions on current operating systems are discrepant. Few researchers have investigated how scrolling method influences users’ performance. The response–effect (R-E) compatibility principle can be used as a theoretical guide.

Experiments 1 and 2 involved two successive tasks (scrolling and target content judgment) to simulate how people scroll to acquire and use off-screen information. Performance in R-E compatible and incompatible conditions was compared. Experiment 3 involved a location judgment task to test the influence of target location. Experiments 4 and 5 included a scrolling effect following the location judgment task to test the sufficient role of the scrolling effect.

Overall, responses were facilitated when the response direction was compatible with the forthcoming display-content movement direction (an R-E compatibility effect), when the scrolling effect was task relevant or task irrelevant. A spatial stimulus–response (S-R) compatibility effect attributable to target location was also found. When the scrolling effect was present, there were both R-E and S-R components; the R-E effect was the larger of the two.

Scrolling in the direction of content movement yielded the best performance, and the scrolling effect was the main source of the R-E compatibility effect.

These findings suggest that (a) the R-E compatibility principle may be used as a general design guideline for scrolling and (b) a consistent scrolling method should be available on various operating systems.