Investigating the Role of Test Methods in Testing Reading Comprehension

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 1-8

3. Theories of Reading Comprehension

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 9-29

4. Construct and Validity

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 31-49

5. Test Method and Response Format

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 51-63

6. Methodology

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 65-76

7. Quantitative Strand

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 77-93

8. Employing TAPs to Explore Test Takers’ Cognitive Processes

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 95-137

9. Employing ET to Explore Test Takers’ Cognitive Processes

   • Jufang Kong

   Pages 139-174

10. Conclusion and Future Directions

    • Jufang Kong

    Pages 175-192

11. Back Matter

    Pages 193-212

    PDF

This book explores the construct of reading comprehension by means of two main test methods. Research methods like the think aloud protocol and eye tracking are employed to tap into test-takers’ cognitive processes while engaged in input text meaning building, and in test tasks. The book is the first systematic attempt to explore test-takers’ cognitive processes through the control of test methods, and presents findings in visualized form including processing route maps and eye fixation heat maps. It offers readers essential support with “digging into” and analyzing data that has to date remained difficult to access.

• Language Testing
• Applied Linguistics
• Reading Comprehension
• Test Method
• Test-Takers’ Cognitive Processes

• Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China

  Jufang Kong

Dr. Jufang Kong is a lecturer and Dean of the Teaching Research section of the College of Foreign Languages at Zhejiang Normal University, China. She holds a PhD in Language Testing and Assessment from Shanghai International Studies University and was a visiting student at the School of Education, University of Leicester, during her PhD studies. Her research interests include assessing reading skills, language test validation and assessing young language learners. In 2017, she received approval for the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Project.

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