Cited by 25Literacy and Educational PracticesReading and Literacy DevelopmentEducational Methods and Media Use

Are Western Australian adolescents keen book readers?

Open access
Merga, Margaret K.·2014·The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/bf03651945

Cites

27 of 27 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 23 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning

    The relationship between frequency and attitude was not consistent.

    “The relationship between frequency and attitude was not consistent.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The volume of books read by the cohort as a whole was low.

    “The volume of books read by the cohort as a whole was low.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    33% of infrequent readers had a positive or neutral attitude toward reading in free time.

    “whereas a substantial 33% of infrequent readers had a positive or neutral attitude toward reading in free time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    28% of students read less than 3 books a year.

    “28% of students read less than 3 books a year.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    37% of students claimed to read at least one book a fortnight.

    “while 37% of students claimed to read at least one book a fortnight”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 11
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only 16% of Western Australian students were meeting the tipping point of a book per week; the majority was not close to this target.

    “Only 16% of Western Australian students were meeting this 'tipping point' of a book per week; the majority was not within close proximity of this target.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    45% of boys were infrequent readers vs 27% of girls; 30% of boys were avid readers vs 43% of girls.

    “45% of boys were infrequent readers, compared with 27% of girls; 30% of boys were avid readers, compared with 43% of girls.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    11% of boys and 25% of girls really loved reading books.

    “some students really loved reading books; 11% of boys and 25% of girls”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    15% of girls claimed to never read, while 11% reported reading no books for recreation.

    “while 15% of girls claimed to 'Never' read, only 11% of girls reported reading no books for recreation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Girls read more frequently and also read a greater volume of books.

    “girls, who were reading more often, also subsequently read a greater volume of books.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    21% of boys claimed to never read for fun, while 19% reported reading no books for recreation.

    “while 21% of boys claimed to 'Never' read for fun, only 19% of boys reported reading no books for recreation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    23% of girls and 15% of boys were reading daily.

    “only 23% of girls and 15% of boys were reading daily”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When split by gender, the modal reading frequency was once a fortnight for girls and once every couple of months for boys.

    “the findings peak at different ends, with the highest number of girls reading a book each fortnight, and the highest number of boys reading a book every couple of months.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A bi-modal distribution: equal avid readers (2+ times a week) and infrequent readers (> once a month), both at 36%.

    “A clear bi-modal distribution is apparent in the responses in Table 2, with an equal amount of avid readers (2+ times a week) and infrequent readers (> once a month): both at 36%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    67% of students spent more than 2 hours a day social networking; 36% spent more than 2 hours a day playing sport; 37% watched more than 2 hours of TV per day.

    “67% of all students spent more than 2 hours a day social networking (texting, online social networking, talking with friends), 36% of all students spent more than 2 hours a day playing sport, and 37% of all students watched more than 2 hours of TV per day.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A third of Daily readers (34%) read less than an hour a day; two-thirds (66%) read less than two hours a day.

    “a third of this 'Daily' group (34%) read for less than an hour a day, and two-thirds of the group (66%) read for less than two hours a day.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation

    Simply setting a 50-book target is not enough.

    “simply setting a 50-book target is not enough.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Clark and Poulton, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The final data set included 20 diverse schools.

    “The final data set included 20 diverse schools.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Volume has value when combined with frequency, attitude, and duration measures.

    “When added to supplementary measures of frequency, attitude and duration, it becomes part of a greater picture of adolescent reading, and thus has value.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Volume alone is not a very useful measure.

    “Thus, if applied in isolation, volume is not a very useful measure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Book lengths vary greatly.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Book length is not a reliable indicator of writing complexity; a shorter book may take longer to read if its text is more complex.

    “In addition, the length of a book is also not a reliable measure of the degree of complexity of the writing; a shorter book could take longer to read if the complexity of the text is greater.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There are limited current studies into recreational book reading practices in Australia, and none focusing on Western Australia.

    “there are limited current studies (<10 years old) into recreational book reading practices in Australia (such as Manuel, 2012 andRennie &Patterson, 2010), and none that focus on Western Australia”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Manuel, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Rennie & Patterson, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The required sample size was calculated to be 383 to obtain results reflective of the target population.

    “the required sample size of students was calculated to be 383”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Clark and Poulton found that 50 books a year, or 4 books a month, seems to be a tipping point.

    “Clark and Poulton, who found that 50 books a year, or 4 books a month, 'seems to be a tipping point ' (2011, p. 14).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Clark and Poulton, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Reading attitude impacted behavioural intentions and feelings about book reading, but this impact was not definitive.

    “while it can be suggested that reading attitude impacted upon the 'behavioural intentions' an individual has about book reading, such as whether or not they intend to read and how often, and the feelings evoked by recreational book reading (McKenna, Kear, and Ellsworth, 1995, p. 937), this impact was not definitive.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites McKenna, Kear, and Ellsworth, 1995 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Self-report data have validity issues, as 2% of male and 4% of female non-readers were inconsistent in their reports.

    “This highlights validity issues data derived from self report, with 2% of male and 4% of female non-readers not truly non-readers by their own inconsistent report.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Setting a specific volume target may have a detrimental effect, as reading for enjoyment is more beneficial and access and ability issues may remain barriers.

    “Doing so may actually have a detrimental effect, as reading for enjoyment rather than meeting targets is more beneficial, and access and ability issues may still remain static barriers regardless of what target is set (Clark and Poulton, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Clark and Poulton, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    520 students participated, exceeding the required sample size.

    “Ultimately, 520 students participated in the final data set, and 34 in-depth semistructured interviews were undertaken, and thus the required sample size for the surveys was comfortably exceeded.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    There is scope for considerable improvement in reading frequency to optimise literacy outcomes.

    “thus there is scope for considerable improvement in reading frequency in order to optimise literacy outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most of the gender gap can be explained by boys being less engaged, and less engaged students show lower performance.

    “as 'most of the gender gap can be explained by boys being less engaged, and less engaged students show lower performance, then policy makers should look for more effective ways of increasing boys' interest in reading at school or at home' (OECD, 2010, p. 12).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites OECD, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Internationally, girls have higher mean reading performance and enjoy reading more than boys, but differences within genders are far greater than those between genders.

    “although girls have higher mean reading performance' and 'enjoy reading more' than boys, 'the differences within genders are far greater than those between the genders' (OECD, 2010, p. 12).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites OECD, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationcitation

    Solely focusing on improving boys promotes attention on a dichotomy that is not reflective of the greatest inequity in performance.

    “solely focusing on ensuring improvement for boys promotes full attention on a dichotomy that is not reflective of the greatest inequity in performance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationown data

    Looking at reading through multiple dimensions rather than exclusively frequency, volume or attitude is important.

    “the importance of looking at reading through multiple dimensions, rather than exclusively frequency, volume or attitude, is apparent when examining the findings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
28 of 28
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Book lengths vary greatly.

    “The use of a measure of volume is limited by the high degree of variability in book lengths.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is a paucity of research examining how frequently adolescents need to read books to experience benefit in literacy outcomes.

    “While there is a paucity of research examining how frequently adolescents need to read books to experience benefit in literacy outcomes”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Books can facilitate connections with real life others, for example, by enriching understanding of others and/or developing relationships with those who have shared reading interests and/or experiences.

    “In addition to connecting with fictional characters, books can also facilitate connections with real life others, for example, by enriching understanding of others and/or developing relationships with those who have shared reading interests and/or experiences (Merga, 2014; Sellers, 2019; Vezzali et al., 2015).”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Avid-reader share changes from 36% to 34%

    Minor

    The frequency section defines avid readers as those reading at least twice a week and reports that they make up 36% of students. The discussion gives 34% for the same group.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

2 of the 29 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 19

  1. Alloway, N., Freebody, P., Gilbert, P. & Muspratt, S. (2002). Boys, literacy and schooling. Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.
  2. Allen, N. (2010). Making a difference: the Western Australian ‘Better Beginnings’ family literacy program. Australasian Public Libraries and Information Services, 23(1), 33–37.
  3. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2013). Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Australia, 2011–2012 (4228.0). Canberra, Australia: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
  4. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2012). NAPLAN Achievement in Reading, Persuasive Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy: National Report for 2012. Sydney, Australia: ACARA.
  5. Baer, J., Baldi, S., Ayotte, K. & Green, P. (2007). The Reading Literacy of U. S. Fourth-Grade Students in an International Context: Results From the 2001 and 2006 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Washington DC, USA: National Center for Education Statistics.
  6. Bunbury, R.M. (Ed.) (1995). Children’s choice: reading at home or at school. Geelong: Deakin University Press.
  7. Daggett, W. & Hasselbring, T. (2007). What we know about adolescent reading. International Centre for Leadership in Education.
  8. Department of Education and Training WA (DET). (2008). WA Teacher Demand and Supply Projections. Perth, Australia: DET.
  9. Grosso de Leon, A. (2002). Moving beyond storybooks, Carnegie Reporter, 2(1).
  10. Kirsch, I., de Jong, J., Lafontaine, D., McQueen, J., Mendelo-vits, J. & Monsuer, C. (2002). Reading for change: performance and engagement across countries. Washington DC: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
  11. Manuel, J. (2012). Reading lives: teenagers’ reading practices and preferences. In J. Manuel & S. Brindley (Eds.), Teenagers and reading: literary heritages, cultural contexts and contemporary reading practices, (pp. 12–37). Kent Town, South Australia: Wakefield Press.
  12. Marks, G., McMillan, J. & Hillman, K. (2001). Tertiary entrance performance: the role of student background and school factors, Camberwell, Victoria: Australian Council for Educational Research.
  13. Nieuwenhuizen, A. (2001). Young Australians reading: from keen to reluctant readers. Melbourne, Victoria: Australian Centre for Youth Literature.
  14. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2010). PISA 2009 Results: Executive Summary. Washington DC: OECD.
  15. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2011a). Education at a Glance. Washington DC: OECD.
  16. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2011b). Pisa in Focus (Vol.8). Washington DC: OECD.
  17. Samuels, S.J. & Wu, Y. (2001). How the amount of time spent on independent reading affects reading achievement: a response to the national reading panel. Minnesota: University of Minnesota.
  18. Snyder, I. (2008). The literacy wars. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  19. Thompson, J. (1987). Understanding teenager’s reading. Norwood: AATE.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Merga, M. K.
Affiliations
Edith Cowan University (AU)
Corresponding author
Merga, Margaret K.
Venue
The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy
Published
2014-10
Volume
37
Issue
3
Pages
161-170
ISSN
  • 1038-1562 (ISSN-L)
  • 1839-4728
OpenAlex
W329315749
Cited by
25
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
FWCI
23.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy (publishedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
  • Australasian Journal of Paramedicine (submittedVersion)
  • eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Literacy and Educational Practices
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Reading and Literacy Development
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Educational Methods and Media Use
Keywords
adolescent reading habits, reading attitudes, gender differences in reading, literacy education

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