THE USE OF ISLAMIC-BASED READING MATERIALS TO INCREASE READING COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT: A STUDY AT ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION.

Abstract

This is an experimental research aimed at investigating the effects of using Islamic-based reading materials on the improvement of reading comprehension achievement of the students of Islamic Education Department, Mataram State Islamic University. For this purpose, 4 classes of 154 students were involved as the subjects of research. The students were divided into two groups – experimental and control groups. The experimental groups were taught using Islamic-based reading materials while the control groups were taught using non Islamic-based materials for one semester (14 meetings). At the end of the semester, comprehension reading tests were administered to the two groups of students. The results of the test indicated that the mean scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group. This difference was analyzed statistically using t-test to interpret the difference. The analysis revealed that the Sig. (2-tailed) was .021 which was smaller than the level of significance scores .05 (.012 < .05). This statistically indicated that the different mean scores between the experimental and the control groups were the result of the different treatment given to the two groups. Thus, the use of Islamic-based reading materials influenced the reading comprehension achievement of the students.