ERIC Number: EJ747770
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 26
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1079-0195
EISSN: N/A
The Effect of Text Format upon Underachieving First Year College Students' Self-Efficacy for Reading and Subsequent Reading Comprehension
McCabe, Patrick P.; Kraemer, Linda A.; Miller, Paul M.; Parmar, Rene S.; Ruscica, Marybeth B.
Journal of College Reading and Learning, v37 n1 p19-44 Fall 2006
This study had two purposes. One was to investigate the effect of text format on underachieving first-year college students' self-efficacy for reading; the second was to compare self-efficacy ratings with subsequent reading comprehension. Seventy-six students in a university learning support services program at a large Northeastern university participated in this two day study. On day one, participants viewed eight versions of an approximately 250-word passage simultaneously, each with a different combination of font size, margin width, and heading, and were asked to make a judgment about their self-efficacy for reading each. On day two, a few weeks later, the participants read and answered questions based on two passage formats, one that reflected their highest self-efficacy rated format and the other their lowest. A dependent samples t-test revealed that comprehension scores for the highest self-efficacy rated format were significantly higher than for the lowest self-efficacy rated format. In addition, a 2 x 2 x 2 randomized block factorial analysis indicated significant main effects for the presence of headings and the 12-point font condition, but not for margin width. We then make suggestions about how college faculty can offset students' negative self-efficacy for reading college material. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Underachievement, College Freshmen, Student Attitudes, Self Efficacy, Reading Attitudes, Reading Comprehension, Student Motivation, Text Structure, Layout (Publications)
Texas State University San Marcos. Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666. Tel: 512-245-2303; Fax: 512-245-8151; Web site: http://www.crla.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A