Unpacking Reading Comprehension by Text Type: An Examination of Reading Strategy Use and Cognitive Functioning in Poor and Typically-Achieving Comprehenders
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Authors
Matheson, Ian
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Reading Comprehension , Cognitive Functioning , Executive Functioning , Working Memory , Reading Strategies , Learning Disabilities
Alternative Title
Abstract
In the present study, I examined how students build comprehension with different types of text. Poor comprehenders and typically-achieving comprehenders, as determined by a standardized measure for general reading comprehension, were compared in their reading comprehension and reading strategy use across narrative, expository, and graphic text. I also examined the influence of cognitive functioning on reading comprehension, and to what extent cognitive functions can explain the difference in reading comprehension between poor and typically-achieving comprehenders. This research was partially exploratory, where I aimed to validate existing research on cognitive functions, reading strategies, and reading comprehension of text, as well as to contribute new research that distinguishes between text types. Past research has shown that cognitive functions predict reading comprehension and that poor comprehenders have poorer cognitive functioning and use fewer reading strategies than their peers. However, no research to date has made distinctions between different types of text, specifically graphic text, and how cognitive functioning and reading strategy use relate to comprehension.
A group of poor comprehenders (n = 24) and typically-achieving comprehenders (n = 38) completed measures of cognitive functioning and read narrative, expository, and graphic texts aloud before answering comprehension questions. Participants were asked to ‘think-aloud’ during reading, which allowed me to make comparisons between the two groups on reading strategy use. Poor comprehenders used fewer cognitive strategies than their typically-achieving peers while reading narrative and expository text, and fewer evaluative strategies with graphic text. Typically-achieving comprehenders also outperformed poor comprehenders on comprehension of each style of text. Participants’ abilities to recognize abstract patterns predicted comprehension of each text type, while participants’ abilities to exercise inhibition also predicted expository text comprehension. The same variables accounted for a significant portion of the variance between poor and typically-achieving comprehenders, though graphic text had the most variance unaccounted for. The findings from the present study highlight the importance of distinguishing between text types in research on reading comprehension, and suggest that more attention should be paid to dynamic reading comprehension instruction and support.
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CC0 1.0 Universal
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Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.