Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


VanLoocke with signature.pdf (1.47 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Influence of Spacing on Reading Comprehension

VanLoocke, Jamison P
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1472048017

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Arts in English, Youngstown State University, Department of Languages.
A pilot study was conducted to discover the influence interword spacing has on reading comprehension. Eleven participants were asked to read four stories adapted from Singapore folktales while their eye movements were monitored by an eye tracker. The stories came in two versions: one retained regular spacing, while others were written in Scriptura Continua—text without spacing. Interest areas were created with the eye tracker around spaces, or the location where spaces would be expected, to measure the time difference between these readings. Participants were then asked to fill out short answer and multiple-choice questions to test their comprehension of the stories. Seven participants individually performed better while answering questions based on Scriptura Continua texts, but overall results showed largely improved performance in only two of the four stories administered. While the data is inconclusive, it supports the hypothesis that individuals improve comprehension when reading texts which lack spacing.
Jennifer Behney, PhD (Committee Chair)
Steven Brown, PhD (Committee Member)
Jay Gordon, PhD (Committee Member)
62 p.
Linguistics
Interword spacing; Scriptura Continua; reading comprehension

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • VanLoocke, J. P. (2016). The Influence of Spacing on Reading Comprehension [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1472048017

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • VanLoocke, Jamison. The Influence of Spacing on Reading Comprehension. 2016. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1472048017.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • VanLoocke, Jamison. "The Influence of Spacing on Reading Comprehension." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1472048017

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1472048017
1,492
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.