Discusses the literacy problem in Britain, presents research on reading skills, and examines a variety of efforts to improve the reading skills of youngsters. (RB)

Reports on a study that examined children's understanding of written direct and indirect speech by testing reading comprehension of two passages using cloze tests and referent location tests. Found that children have difficulty in interpreting written direct speech, especially when it contains a variety of pronouns. (ARH)

This paper reviews four currently recognized modes of inquiry available to reading researchers, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The paper discusses empiricism, interpretive research, critical science/theory, and action research, briefly describing the purposes, goals, and assumptions underlying each mode of inquiry. The…

Reviews the literature on reading research published in Britain during 1974. (RB)

This booklet reviews reading research that was reported in Great Britain during 1974. The introductory pages highlight research on reading standards and tests, dyslexia and specific reading difficulties, remedial reading instruction, and reading as it relates to language. Annotated items listed include reading research reported in articles or…

Examines the results of the Schools Council study in Britain on children's reading habits and interests, concluding that the results need to be acted on if the reading of British children is to be improved. (RB)

Explores the use of microcomputers in readability calculation. (DF)

Surveys children's information books. Finds that the language of the books is very diverse. Suggests that readers experience diversity of language from a very early age and that such books fall well short of any standard that is desirable of informative texts. (RS)

Contains a review of the literature in reading research during 1973. (RB)

Examines the characteristics of students showing signs of deficiency in their reading performance at 16+. Reports on a research study which concludes that reading failure at 16+ is related to the incidence of two or more adverse characteristics. Identifies and investigates some of these characteristics. (RKM)

Uses measures of readability and syntactic complexity to verify that U.S. teen books are easier for young people reading English as a Second Language than British ones. (SR)

Reports on a study that probed the relative influence of text (including illustrations) and background knowledge upon child and adult novice readers' incorrect responses to comprehension questions. Found that novice readers use background knowledge more than textual information to answer comprehension questions. (ARH)

Reports on a study using data from 13,395 young people to investigate displacement of book reading by television viewing. Found no general displacement of time from one activity to another. (ARH)

Discusses research on the National Curriculum Key Stage Two reading tests for years 1998, 1999 and 2000. Shows that in 1999 and 2000 the reading tests were progressively easier: the number of questions requiring higher-order reading skills, particularly those of inference and deduction, decreased each year, while the number of questions requiring…

This booklet reviews reading research that was reported in Great Britain during 1973. The introductory pages highlight research in reading standards and tests, dyslexia and specific reading difficulties, remedial reading instruction, reading and its relation to language, reading materials, and reading interests. Annotated bibliographies list…