A Digital Outrigger

“Results from this research found that in the sample of over 200 participants, in excess of one third of the group preferred a white background with black text. In addition to the preferences for the white background, black text, 18% of the total group preferred that combination with blue hyper-links. These findings show that a greater proportion of those surveyed preferred high contrasting page layout with blue hyperlinks. These preferences may reflect or symbolize conventionality in conservative web design, but it may also offer the designer or web content manager with more predictability of interface with website contents and greater usability.”

From what I can tell from the report, below is a representation  of their instrument. They make a point of the following: “Color preferences were derived from the participant’s subjective choices without being coerced or persuaded with color samples through an assortment of prearranged background colors with text color and link color compositions”. This makes me doubt their findings since I’m not sure a participant can get an accurate sense of their choices without seeing examples. I think the below would prejudice participants unless examples were given for all iterations (which would be a lot of work, but not impossible.)