This paper describes the benefits of a psychometric analytic approach when studying students' ability to comprehend texts. A reading comprehension measure consisting of four text passages with 32 questions was developed, and analyses using a mean-based approach and linear logistic test (LLTM) method were performed. According to ANOVA, eighth-grade…

There is a need to promote growth past basic reading proficiency toward the more substantial idea of reading maturity. The reading maturity construct has a history of being valued, at least in principle. However, it is a complex construct, and this makes its measurement challenging. The present research study addressed aspects of this challenge by…

This study examined typologies of young adults as readers in the digital age (N = 993). Latent profile analysis (LPA) results showed that across different modes (printed, online, and social media) and purposes (academic and recreational) of reading, four distinctive reader groups emerged: low-interest readers, traditional readers, moderate…

On empirical and theoretical grounds, it is proposed that the enjoyment of reading, and particular reading interests, relate to people's individuality. This research used photo essays about the self as the method for operationalizing individuality--that is, self-construals that are unlike others (i.e. are uniquely self-reflective,…

The era of "digital literacy" raises the question of whether the meaning of reading interest may have changed. This study examined psycho-behavioral dimensions of reading interest as these relate to different reading modes and different purposes of reading. Findings show that reading interest is best represented by its subcomponents of…

This study explored the differential contribution of cognitive and motivational factors on the comprehension of an expository text in secondary school students. One hundred and fifty-five 7th and 8th grade students were assessed in prior knowledge, inferences, metacognition, reading motivation, topic interest, and reading comprehension of history…

This study employed a triangulated mixed method to investigate reading motivation of Chinese middle school students in Taiwan. A total of 247 seventh grade students (122 boys and 125 girls) participated voluntarily by completing the Chinese Motivation for Research Questionnaire (CMRQ). Sixteen of the 247 students were purposely selected to…

This study examined how global locus of control influences children's reading engagement or reading involvement and interest in stories. It is based on locus of control, interest, and dual information processing theories. One hundred and seventy students from schools in the northeastern United States, ages 9 to 12, participated. They completed a…

This study explored the nature and performance of masculinity as portrayed in three popular young adult novels: two novels featuring male protagonists and one featuring a female protagonist. Drawing on emerging theory and scholarship, researchers view masculinity, like femininity, as a gendered performance, socially scripted but amenable to…

Reviews and identifies several aspects of adult reading habits in the United States. (FL)

Argues that it may be possible to help students read more and, at the same time, to pique their interest in the classics by suggesting that they read the works of Western writer Louis L'Amour. (FL)

Finds a generalizable pattern that is learned and followed by most children when they select books. Suggests that refinements and elaborations are best demonstrated by "outlier" behaviors atypical to the basic book-selection routine. Shows children typically select books based upon the physical characteristics of the book and a holistic,…

Demonstrates that when children select library books, there is a generalizable routine or pattern learned and followed by most children--refinements or elaborations on that routine, however, are best demonstrated by "outlier" behaviors atypical to the basic routine. Shows that children typically select books based upon the book's…

Studies the influence of illustrations on children's book preferences and comprehension. Finds that while third graders scored higher than first graders, both groups showed highest comprehension for the Text-plus-Illustrations book content and the lowest for the Illustration-Only book content. Notes that participants preferred bright illustrations…

Confirms that students' general reading attitudes and their frequency of voluntary reading declined during sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade years. Finds a statistically significant positive relationship between students' reading attitudes and their reading behaviors. Finds no significant differences for either gender or ethnicity. (RS)