Reading Comprehension (Essay Sample)

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Reading Comprehension
Introduction
Over the years, researches touching on reading of comprehension have used a variety of methodologies. The interpretations of results from these studies have in most cases relied on the utilization of statistics which have frequently been curbed with erroneous outcomes. In this respect, there exist two distinguished approaches in regard to reading comprehension. These approaches are majorly qualitative research and quantitative research. Qualitative research tends to be basically of an explanatory mode. This kind of research is usually used when there is need to obtain an understanding of various reasons and opinions. Information obtained from qualitative research provides a greater insight into a specific problem. It is also used to come up with opinions and ideas or a hypothesis for any kind of future quantitative research. In addition, qualitative research explores more about a specific problem by diving deeper into the underlying issues through utilization of techniques such as focused group discussions, observations, personal interviews among other tactics.
Quantitative research, on the other hand, aims at quantifying a particular problem through various methods that generate data from numerics. These numerics are then professionally manipulated to provide usable statistics. In regard to reading comprehension, aspects that are likely to be quantified include behaviors, attitudes, ideas, opinions and several other variables. This kind of research uses a much larger sample population than qualitative research. Quantitative methods of research are usually more advanced in form structure when compared to qualitative. Their means of collecting data include telephone interviews, online surveys, interviewing individuals face to face, online polling, mobile and paper surveys, observations among other tactics, although these methods have been associated with high margins of error brought about by different respondent behavior and attitude during the time of interview..
Throughout the research history in reading comprehension there has been recommendations on the need to develop alternative methods which lean more on the qualitative orientation. This is likely to be achieved through an overhaul in the conceptualization of reading comprehension. The advantage of qualitative research method is that it is usually based on natural settings with tasks and texts that are natural rather than observation technique used in quantitative research. Hence, a question arises; what are the levels of reliability and accuracy in regard to information obtained from either qualitative or quantitative research? what comparison exists in the amount of resources required for both activities?
In this paper, the works of Rebecca J. Baier titled Reading Comprehension and Reading Strategies will be compared to almost similar works by Molly K. Ness, Reading Comprehension Strategies in Secondary area classroom. These two authors in their research used two different tactics with Molly pursuing a quantitative approach and Rebecca opting for a qualitative methodology. Both of these tactics have considerable levels of similarities as well as differences. One of the easily pointed out similarities is the questions that these two research methods try to put across, among them being; are students fully aware of they actually read? Are these students able to orally or in written form able to express well what they have read? What factors are likely to improve their reading comprehension capabilities?
Rebecca in her research, concluded that individuals who while reading usually utilize some form of reading comprehension techniques possess higher chances of experiencing a high rate of text comprehension and are also likely to retain more information. Similarly, Molly also stated in his article that, "those people who possess greater skills in reading of comprehension generally outsmart their colleagues in tests on reading comprehension (Ness, 2009).This scenario provides a similarity in the outcome of different approaches. Results from these two modes of research is analyzed and presented in different ways despite providing a near similar conclusion.
Quantitative research heavily relies and utilizes numerics in the production of its report and information. Deciphering data from this kind of research might sometimes require a professional statistician’s knowledge due to the existence of complex formulas used in this method. Complex computer softwares are sometimes used in generation of information. This is evident in Molly’s article which portrays information in form of pie charts and advanced tables.
In Rebecca’s piece there is no much numerical information making it easier for an individual without advanced knowledge in statistics to make out what she was trying to put across. Rebecca relies on aspects that are more likely to be influenced by the external environment such as exposure to certain conditions, behavioral change and adaptation to such scenarios. A greater part of her results can be deduced from mere observation over a period of time. Proper use and structure of words provides a reader with a clear understanding without much interpretation needed. This kind of article also provides future critics and analysts to add on the information by the author. This is made easier due to the low levels of technicality required as compared to Molly’s quantitative approach.
In Molly’s piece, technicality is evident as early as the point of respondent selection. While in quantitative, selection might be random, in qualitative there are procedures on how to select the participants. It might also require the study and monitoring of the participant over a specified period of time. This is advantageous as it provides more accurate and actual result compared to quantitative. In quantitative participants may modify behavior during the research period and due to the short span of time that they are monitored the accuracy of the findings is compromised.
In answering the research questions the authors provide the readers with insights and solutions to various reading comprehension problems. For instance, after reading Molly’s article a form of awareness is created on the part of the reader. He recommends monitoring of comprehension as a way through which an individual can learn ways in which to be conscious of his or her own understanding while reading (Ness, 2009). The reader is basically provided with a solution of how to deal with his or her problems as they arise. Similarly, cooperative learning is advised as it has been found to enhance information retention. Graphical representation of information is anoth...