Prose Comprehension and Text Search as a Function of Reading Volume

Abstract

INFORMAL INTERVIEWS and observations were used to obtain information regarding frequently occurring reading tasks among adults in work and leisure settings. Based on these data, two types of reading-text search and prose comprehension-were proposed. A two-stage information processing model for text search was developed and contrasted with prose comprehension models of reading. Background information, performance, and reading volume measures were obtained from a sample of 42 telephone company employees. Performance on text search and prose comprehension tests correlated at a relatively low level sharing only 10% of the variance, while time spent engaged in text search activities accounted for 32% of the variance with text search tasks and less than 1% of the variance with prose comprehension tasks. Similarly, time spent engaged in prose comprehension activities accounted for 45% of the variance with prose comprehension tasks and only 2% of the variance with text search tasks. These findings were interpreted as indicating that: a) there are reading competencies that can be measured independently; b) these competencies are distinguishable in terms of the goals and procedures of the reader; and c) activity as measured by time spent with material for a specific use is an important indicator of an individual's skill at performing associated tasks.