Matthew T. McCrudden

The Effect of Relevance Instructions on Reading Time and Learning

The authors examined the effect of prereading relevance instructions on reading time and learning for 2 types of text. Experiment 1 found that relevance instructions increased learning for relevant segments without increasing reading time when reading a scientific text sentence by sentence on a computer. In contrast, the same segments were learned less well and took longer to read when nonrelevant. Experiment 2 replicated the findings when individuals read an informational narrative text. These findings supported the no increased effort hypothesis, which states that relevant information is learned better without additional effort when readers are told what is relevant prior to reading. In contrast, nonrelevant information is learned less well. The authors attribute these effects to the goal-focusing nature of relevance instructions.

The Influence of Presentation, Organization, and Example Context on Text Learning.

This research compared high-load and low-load versions of a text by manipulating text presentation, text organization, and example context on measures of fact and concept learning. The low-load text presentation variable enhanced fact and concept learning and post-reading ease of comprehension ratings. The low-load text organization variable led to higher post-reading ease of comprehension ratings. Ease of comprehension was related significantly to fact and concept learning. These findings are supported by cognitive load theory and extend the research to include variables that influence text processing.

The Effect of General Relevance Instructions on Shallow and Deeper Learning and Reading Time

ABSTRACT: The relevance effect refers to the facilitative effect of relevance instructions on learning. The authors examined the effect of general prereading relevance instructions on fact and concept learning, essay quality, and reading time. College students either did or did not receive relevance instructions before reading an expository text. Researchers found that general relevance instructions facilitated fact and concept learning and essay quality but did not lead to an increase in reading time. These findings supported the no-increased-effort hypothesis, which states that general relevance instructions help readers construct a more integrated mental representation of the text without increasing processing time. The authors attribute these effects to the goal-focusing nature of relevance instructions.

Self-efficacy and interest in the use of reading strategies

Abstract We examined the influence of reading strategy instruction on self-efficacy, interest, and comprehension by 4th-graders from at-risk environments. Previous research indicates that reading strategy instruction can improve reading comprehension; however, few studies have examined the link between strategy instruction and self-efficacy and interest in using reading strategies. Students participated in reading strategy instruction and activities over a two-week period. We measured self-efficacy, interest, and comprehension before and after the strategy instruction. As predicted, self-efficacy and interest increased while comprehension remained stable. Results suggest that explicit strategy instruction and practice can be integrated with existing classroom curriculum and can influence student motivation in a relatively short period of time. Suggestions are provided for strategy instruction.

The Effects of Relevance Instructions and Verbal Ability on Text Processing

The authors examined whether relevance instructions compensate for differences in verbal ability on measures of reading time, text recall, and sentence recognition. College students (n = 81) with higher and lower verbal ability were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 relevance-instruction conditions before reading a text. They asked participants in each condition to focus on different categories of information within the same text. Relevant information took longer to read and was recalled and recognized better than nonrelevant information. Readers with higher verbal ability read faster and recalled and recognized more information correctly than did those readers with lower verbal ability. Results support the noncompensatory hypothesis, which states that relevance instructions and verbal ability make independent contributions to resource allocation and learning. Readers with lower verbal ability may need additional support even when given prereading relevance instructions.

Verbal Ability and the Processing of Scientific Text With Seductive Detail Sentences

We examined the influence of seductive detail sentences (i.e., highly interesting, yet unimportant sentences) on reading time and recall for readers with higher and lower verbal ability. College students (n = 81) read a 967-word text that included seductive detail sentences. Participants with higher and lower verbal ability displayed similar reading time and recall patterns across different sentence types: they spent more time reading seductive details than base sentences and more time reading base sentences that followed seductive details than the other base sentences. Further, they recalled seductive details better than base segments. Results supported the noncompensation hypothesis, which states that seductive detail sentences disrupt text processing regardless of verbal ability. The relative interest and importance of sentences should be considered when deciding whether to add information for the purpose of increasing reader interest or cognitive engagement.

The Effects of Informational Complexity and Working Memory on Problem-Solving Efficiency

This study investigated the influence of informational complexity and working memory capacity on problem-solving efficiency. We examined two predictions of thesituational efficiency hypothesis, which states that the efficiency of problem solving varies as a function of situational constraints. One prediction is that informational complexity affects problem-solving efficiency. A second prediction is that working memory capacity affects problem-solving efficiency. Students completed a working memory task and solved abstract and concrete syllogisms. Participants solved abstract syllogisms more accurately than concrete syllogisms and spent more time solving abstract syllogisms. Thus participants demonstrated greater problem-solving efficiency when solving concrete syllogisms. Results indicate that there is a trade-off between problem-solving accuracy and problem-solving time when information differs with respect to informational complexity, a phenomenon we refer to as theefficiency paradox. Working memory capacity did not affect accuracy or efficiency. The results support the conclusion that problem-solving efficiency is situational and a function of the complexity of information. Educational implications and directions for future research are suggested.

Exploring the Boundary Conditions of the Redundancy Principle.

This experiment investigated whether study of a scientific text and a visual display that contained redundant text segments would affect memory and transfer. The authors randomly assigned 42 students from a university in the southwestern United States in equal numbers to 1 of 2 conditions: (a) a redundant condition, in which participants studied a scientific text that described plate tectonics and a corresponding visual display that contained redundant segments from the text; or (b) a nonredundant condition, in which participants studied the scientific text and a corresponding visual display that lacked the redundant text segments. Embedding redundant text segments within the visual display enhanced performance on 3 measures of memory but not on a measure of transfer. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications using the cognitive theory of multimedia learning.

Implementing Integration in an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study of Belief Bias About Climate Change With High School Students

Integration in mixed methods involves bringing together quantitative and qualitative approaches. There is a need for practical examples of how to integrate the two approaches in an explanatory sequential design at the methods level and at the interpretation and reporting level. This article reports an explanatory sequential mixed methods study of adolescents’ quantitative judgments about belief-related scientific arguments and qualitative reasons behind those judgements via interviews. This context is used to illustrate how integration can be achieved in an explanatory sequential design at the methods level, through the sampling frame and through the development of the interview protocol with a methodological joint display, and at the interpretation and reporting level through narrative and the use of a results joint display.

The effect of perspective-taking on reasoning about strong and weak belief-relevant arguments

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether perspective-taking reduces belief bias independently of argument strength. Belief bias occurs when individuals evaluate belief-consistent arguments more favourably than belief-inconsistent arguments. Undergraduates (n = 93) read arguments that varied with respect to belief-consistency (i.e., belief-consistent or belief-inconsistent) and strength (i.e., strong or weak) about the topic of climate change. After participants read each argument, those in the perspective-taking condition rated the arguments strength from a perspective of a climate scientist and then from their own perspectives, whereas those in the no perspective-taking condition only rated the arguments from their own perspectives. Perspective-taking eliminated belief bias for weak arguments, but not for strong arguments. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed, and directions for future research are provided.