The Measurement Dilemma Revisited

Although techniques of measuring reading rate have been studied and reported in the literature, actual practice is not always consistent with the findings. A study reexamined the reading rate issue in light of additional information regarding the test-taking experience provided directly by the test takers themselves. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of two reading rate measurement techniques on rate and comprehension of college readers and to obtain feedback from the readers concerning the two techniques. Subjects, 173 freshman level reading and study skills students at a large southeastern university, completed two rats measurement techniques, a time-limit procedure and a passage-completion procedure, and were asked for their opinions on which exercise they felt provided a better measure of their reading rate and should be used in tests measuring reading rate. Responses indicated a greater preference for the passage-completion rate measurement techniques and that students felt it gave a better measure of actual reading rater performance, and recommended it for testing. (One table of data is included, and 12 references are appended.) (MS