A study of students' self selection of reading materials in relation to readability, reading ability, sex and choice within interest areas
Date
1980
Authors
Bawtinheimer, David Laurie
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Abstract
This study examined the ability of grade six students to select appropriate reading materials in terms of readability of the materials and reading abilities of the students. Variables of sex, choice within interest area and reading ability were examined to discover any relationships between them and the ability to choose appropriate materials.
The subjects were seventy-two grade six students equally divided between the sexes and stratified into above, at, and below grade reading abilities. Each subject was tested with the Woodcock Word Identification test to obtain a reading grade score and asked to fill out a reading interest form. One book selected by each subject was given a Raygor Graph readability value. The subject area of the book was recorded to see if students selected books within their stated interest areas.
The results of the study indicated that reading ability was a factor in the selection of appropriate materials but sex and choice within interest areas were not. Further, students did not tend to choose books within their stated interest areas.
In the discussion it was noted that students whose reading ability was above grade level tended to choose books below their ability, those whose reading ability was at reading grade level showed no tendency for their book choices to be above, at or below ability, and those students below ability tended to choose books above their ability. The conclusion made was that interests, developmental stages and availability of books, rather than reading ability, were likely the cause of the subjects' book choices. It was also noted that whatever book a student choose to read is likely to be one of interest to him. Finally, the suggestion was made that further research using different testing instruments was needed, but even so teachers should give guidance to their students in making book selections.