Examining the effectiveness of think-aloud procedure and reading strategy inventory: Insights from reading process research

Abstract

A study was conducted to explore the reading strategies of ESL (English as a Second Language) engineering students. The subjects of the study were 52 B.Tech students. The research focused on investigating the reading process of ESL students. The think-aloud procedure and reading strategy inventory were used to collect the data. Three pilot studies were conducted to validate quantitative and qualitative research procedures. A 40-item reading strategy inventory was administered to identify the engineering students' reading strategy use. The scores obtained in the reading strategy inventory has been compared to the verbal reports elicited through the think-aloud procedure. Data analysis presents an overview of the frequency of strategy use while reading an academic-related text. The paper examines the effectiveness of reading strategy inventory and think-aloud procedure for reading process research. The findings of the study discuss the data collection procedure relevant to reading process research. The study highlights challenges in validating quantitative and qualitative research procedures and suggests ways to overcome them.