**6. Discussion**

The following research questions were posed at the start of this chapter.


The first two research questions will be answered together. There were no significant differences detected between barkers and non-barkers for any of the standard reading metrics. However, barkers do exhibit lower fixation durations, although durations are of a higher magnitude typical of second language reading, fewer regressions, coupled with a lower regression percentage. They also have fewer fixations and longer saccades although only marginally so. During first pass reading, barkers have shorter first fixation durations and shorter visits per word but the number of fixations and visits per word are similar to non-barkers. Barkers tend to adjust their mean fixation durations to the length and/or difficulty of the line currently being read as they read slower on easier and shorter sentences as a result of many short fixations, suggesting either more regressions or more fixations per word on the first pass reading.

In terms of fixation durations for skimming, scanning and thorough reading, barkers have shorter durations such as with skimming. Similarly, the longer saccades and fewer regressions [47] are similar to skimming. An in-depth comparison of these types of reading with our barkers will determine if there are significant differences or not but for now an anecdotal description can be provided. When mind wandering, first fixations and fixations are longer and number of regressions [42] and fixations are lower and the length of the saccades are shorter [43]. Hence, apart from the number of regressions, barking is not comparable to mind wandering on this level.
