research topics related to reading skills

Reading and Writing Skills: Cognitive, Emotional, Creative, and Digital Approaches

Original Research 14 August 2023 Effects of cognitive task complexity and online planning on second language learners’ argumentative writing Ting Sophia Xu  and  Lawrence Jun Zhang 2,523 views 3 citations

Original Research 11 August 2023 Internet use predicts Chinese character spelling performance of junior high school students: multiple mediating roles of pinyin input proficiency and net-speak experience Rong Luo ,  1 more  and  Jingjun Chen 958 views 0 citations

Original Research 28 July 2023 Reliability, validity, and measurement invariance of a Chinese handwriting legibility scale among primary students in central China Hong Lu ,  2 more  and  Haode Zuo 1,601 views 1 citations

Original Research 25 July 2023 Eye movements are stable predictors of word reading ability in young readers Andrea Strandberg ,  2 more  and  Gustaf Öqvist Seimyr 1,915 views 0 citations

Original Research 16 June 2023 A study on the emergence of sound-sign correspondence in Italian-speaking 5-year-old pre-schoolers Lucia Bigozzi ,  4 more  and  Giulia Vettori 682 views 0 citations

Original Research 15 June 2023 Longitudinal contributions of morphological awareness, listening comprehension, and gains in word reading fluency to later word- and text-reading fluency Jamie L. Metsala 1,450 views 0 citations

Original Research 07 June 2023 Development and validation of a genre-based second language (L2) writing self-efficacy scale Jianhua Zhang ,  1 more  and  Ye Zhu 3,189 views 6 citations

Original Research 11 May 2023 What spelling errors can tell us about the development of processes involved in children’s spelling Georgia Z. Niolaki ,  4 more  and  Jackie Masterson 3,215 views 1 citations

Original Research 06 April 2023 The promotion of critical reading through the digital environment: A study on the virtual epitexts used to promote children’s picturebooks Rosa Tabernero-Sala  and  María Jesús Colón-Castillo 1,995 views 0 citations

Brief Research Report 06 April 2023 A longitudinal study on sensitivity to symmetry in writing and associations with early literacy abilities Li Yin  and  Catherine McBride 956 views 0 citations

Review 13 March 2023 The relationship between grammatical knowledge and reading comprehension: A meta-analysis Haoyuan Zheng ,  2 more  and  Daniel-Chongbo Yuan 7,555 views 6 citations

Brief Research Report 06 February 2023 Emotions and reading: When reading is the best way to improve skills in adolescents Elena del Pilar Jiménez-Pérez ,  2 more  and  Pedro García Guirao 2,482 views 0 citations

Loading... Original Research 27 January 2023 Relationships among students’ reading habits, study skills, and academic achievement in English at the secondary level Nisar Abid ,  2 more  and  Tribhuwan Kumar 49,637 views 12 citations

Original Research 16 January 2023 Academic literacy among the university students in Mexico and Spain: A holistic perspective Isolda Margarita Castillo-Martínez ,  2 more  and  María Soledad Ramírez-Montoya 3,302 views 6 citations

Original Research 06 January 2023 Psychometric properties and invariance of the self-efficacy for writing scale in Peruvian high school students Matilde León-Gutiérrez ,  4 more  and  Percy G. Ruiz Mamani 2,721 views 2 citations

Original Research 05 December 2022 Analysis of pre-service teachers’ argumentation-based academic writing process Bekir Direkci ,  3 more  and  Emel Nalçacıgil Çopur 4,314 views 0 citations

Original Research 01 December 2022 The integration of affective characteristics of the family environment for a more comprehensive explanatory model of reading abilities Andréanne Gagné ,  2 more  and  Julie Lemire 975 views 0 citations

Original Research 23 November 2022 Investigating high schoolers’ L2 writing anxiety, L2 writing self-efficacy, L2 writing self-regulated strategies, and L2 writing engagement: Relationships and mediator Jie Zhou ,  1 more  and  Junju Wang 4,150 views 4 citations

Brief Research Report 14 November 2022 Predictors of Portuguese teachers’ use of Information and Communication Technologies in literacy classes Andreia Nunes ,  1 more  and  São Luís Castro 1,466 views 1 citations

Empirical Study 31 October 2022 Research on Papua, a digital tool with artificial intelligence in favor of learning and linguistic attitudes towards the learning of the English language in students of Spanish language as L1 Beatriz Peña-Acuña  and  Rafael Crismán-Pérez 2,726 views 2 citations

How to Improve Reading Comprehension in Early Ed

By andy minshew.

• November 20, 2023

Reading Comprehension Strategies Informed by the Science of Reading

Join Waterford’s Science of Reading virtual summit to explore how the brain learns to read and get strategies for effective, research-based instruction from literacy expert and Vice President of Curriculum Julie Christensen. Guidance for teachers and administrators included!

Plus, find upcoming and on-demand video series led by early education experts through the Webinar Library , featuring topics chosen with administrators in mind, like:

• Impactful Family Engagement Made Easy
• Understanding the Six Instructional Strands for Literacy
• Professional Learning: Teaching the Science of Reading

Read on to examine the key building blocks for reading comprehension. Then, learn several practical and research-based strategies to help students in your school build reading comprehension skills—with two free books and accompanying resources available in English and Spanish!

What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension as a part of literacy development

How do the other aspects of literacy development support reading comprehension? Phonological awareness skills , in combination with phonics skills , help students connect the sounds and symbols of language to break the reading code and begin decoding words.

With plenty of practice decoding words by linking letters and sounds, students build a large bank of words that they recognize automatically. This large bank of sight words makes reading fluency possible.

In turn, fluency supports reading comprehension by allowing students to focus their attention on the meaning of what they read rather than using their cognitive energy to decode many of the words.

The building blocks of reading comprehension

A student’s range of vocabulary and background knowledge are the foundational building blocks for reading comprehension. Children who are engaged in frequent, rich conversations that help build vocabulary and background knowledge are at an advantage when learning to read.

The early years are vital to a child’s long-term achievement in reading. Embedding activities throughout the school day to foster language development and the exploration of new ideas and information is crucial.

Oral language development and, in particular, listening comprehension skills, are strongly linked to reading comprehension. As children acquire the reading skills to match their listening ability, this connection grows. By fifth grade, according to Waterford’s VP of Curriculum, Julie Christensen, listening comprehension and reading comprehension are even more closely related than for younger students.

Strategies for Building Reading Comprehension Skills

It can also be helpful for educators to teach comprehension strategies, like how to make predictions before and during reading, and how to summarize a text. Students can be guided to reflect on the questions that arise in their minds as they read to assess their own comprehension. Graphic organizers can provide effective frameworks for understanding text structure and arranging ideas conveyed in the text.

However, as stated by educational researcher David A. Kilpatrick in his book Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties , focusing only on comprehension strategies cannot be a substitute for broad vocabulary and content knowledge. Instead, comprehension strategies can serve as useful tools for students who already have the requisite vocabulary and background knowledge.

Free Children’s Books for Building Vocabulary Skills and Background Knowledge

Share these downloadable books and accompanying resources with teachers in your school or district to strengthen vocabulary

skills and develop background knowledge as the building blocks of reading comprehension.

The books are written to be accessible to K-2 students on relatable topics for young readers, and all are available in English and Spanish.

1. Violeta ( click here for Spanish): Violeta likes to read, but sometimes she feels a little shy. With the help of her family and her love of books, can she gain newfound confidence? Use this classroom activity guide to extend reading and build comprehension.

2. Defying Gravity: The Story of Mae Jemison (Spanish: Desafiando la gravedad: La historia de Mae Jemison ): Mae Jemison follows her love of art and science and becomes the first Black woman to travel into space. Continue the journey with this classroom activity guide and family activity guide ( Spanish ).

In addition to the books above, share this Reading Together bookmark ( Spanish ) with families as a guide for making the most of shared reading experiences at home.

Read Waterford’s full Foundations of the Science of Reading article series and learn how to support your teachers with research-driven strategies as they plan for classroom instruction. Continue learning with the next three articles:

• How to Teach Language Concepts
• Ways to Teach Communication Skills
• How the Science of Reading Informs Waterford.org Curriculum

More education articles

Don’t Prevent Summer Slide—Build Student Strengths Instead

MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Awards Waterford.org a $10 Million Grant

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Reading and Research Strategy Guide

• Prereading Strategies

Reading Critically

Research strategies.

• SQ3R Reading
• KWL Reading

Interpretive Reading

Effective reading and research strategies are vital components of academic success, especially since they can improve comprehension and retention. Active reading is one of the key strategies you’re likely to learn - engaging readers by asking questions, making connections, and reflecting upon material they read.

Active reading has been shown to improve comprehension and retention by encouraging readers to actively think through what they are reading. Asking questions, making inferences, asking for clarification of material being presented, or simply reflecting upon it afterward are all proven methods of helping individuals connect new information with existing knowledge more readily. This type of active engagement with literature helps readers retain important details long-term.

Active strategies like asking questions, drawing connections, and reflecting can aid comprehension and retention. Practical tips such as discussing reading with others or taking breaks may further deepen understanding. Finally, changing reading speed as necessary may prove especially helpful when dealing with longer or more complex texts.

Reading for comprehension requires practice, but there are numerous practical strategies for doing it effectively. One such strategy is discussing reading material with others in order to gain new perspectives and deepen understanding. Also, taking short breaks while reading can help keep focus and prevent burnout. And taking notes while reading can also aid readers by helping retain key information better.

Changes to reading speed are another powerful strategy that can aid comprehension. At first, it may be advantageous to skim quickly over material to quickly gain an overview before returning more slowly to sections that need extra focus; this approach may prove especially helpful with longer or more complex texts as it enables readers to process it in manageable chunks. This guide can help you with reading strategies to help you plan for college and help you read more efficiently while pursing your college degree .

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Process & Types of Writing

Memorizing & Test Taking

Prereading strategies: how to maximize your reading material.

When it comes to reading, some people jump right in with both feet, while others opt for more strategic approaches, such as prereading strategies that can help them understand and retain what they read. Here are some effective prereading techniques to consider.

Before diving in to read, take some time to review text features such as headings, subheadings, and illustrations to gain an idea of what lies ahead. This will give you a basic understanding of what you’re about to read and what to expect from the text.

Recalling prior knowledge before reading can help create an initial framework for understanding text and make connections between what you already know and what is to come. This is especially helpful when reading textbooks or other works in which chapters may build upon previously learned information.

Establishing a clear purpose and expectations for reading can help keep you engaged during the reading process. You can ask yourself questions such as, "What am I hoping to gain from this text?" and "What knowledge or understanding do I already possess about its subject?"

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to comprehend what you are reading is to focus on each paragraph's main point. Search for words or phrases that reveal its topic sentence or use headings as guides in identifying this key concept.

Converting headings into questions can help keep you engaged and focused while reading and allows you to connect the text more closely to either your life experience or previously studied texts, making reading even more meaningful. Try making connections between what you are reading and your life experiences to make reading more personal.

After each page or section, take a moment to summarize what you have read. This can help ensure you retain information while reinforcing understanding. Creating an outline or concept map will also allow you to visually organize information while synthesizing multiple ideas into an easy-to-understand structure.

Pre-reading strategies can help you focus, organize, and retain information while reading. Implement them to get the most out of your reading material and become an insightful and proficient reader.

Critical reading is an integral skill that entails dissecting written material with greater insight and comprehension. Reading to gain understanding requires approaching a text from different perspectives - moving beyond its surface-level meaning to reveal hidden themes, biases, and assumptions. One way to enhance reading comprehension is by altering the text, engaging more actively with reading by questioning author messages, drawing connections among different ideas, or applying your prior knowledge in order to deepen understanding. No matter if it be journal articles, scientific literature, or news reports, creating effective reading strategies will enable you to become an adept reader.

Reading for Understanding

Teaching readers to comprehend is at the core of any successful reading instruction. Simply decoding individual words on a page won't do; to fully engage with text, they must comprehend its meaning behind those words and fully appreciate its context.

To better comprehend what you are reading, it’s vitally important to engage actively with the text. This may involve setting targets for what information you want from reading, making notes as you go along, underlining key points with highlighter pens when necessary, or writing summaries in margins - these strategies all serve to focus your attention on what's most vital while making retention simpler.

On top of employing these individual strategies, discussing reading material with others can be very helpful to gain multiple viewpoints on it and gain deeper understanding of its contents - this may uncover insights you might otherwise miss on your own!

Other effective reading strategies for comprehension include beginning by reading something that provides an overall view of a topic first, rather than diving straight into complex or technical material. Breaking reading up into short bursts of no more than twenty minutes at a time, with regular breaks between, can help you maintain focus and reduce mental fatigue, while changing speed while taking notes along the way allows readers to engage with texts more fully.

Reading comprehension is key for successful reading instruction. By actively engaging with text, setting targets, gaining multiple perspectives, and employing effective strategies, readers can improve their ability to comprehend what they read while also making the most out of their reading experiences.

Effective research strategies are key for anyone attempting to gain information and expand their understanding on any given subject matter. Selecting relevant information is the foundation of an effective research process. First, you must locate credible information sources relevant to your research question or topic. Journals can be invaluable tools in conducting research as they offer access to up to date and high-quality literature. When looking for sources, you should utilize all available resources such as academic databases, books, and online sources in your research process; critical reading skills are also key! Critical readers take an analytical approach to reading information by questioning its legitimacy, evaluating sources, and exploring alternative viewpoints. Employing critical reading can help researchers gain greater insight into their subject matter.

Selecting Relevant Information

Selecting information relevant to your research and reading is of utmost importance when conducting studies or gathering knowledge for research purposes. In order to select what will most effectively serve your needs, it's essential that a few key criteria be considered before choosing suitable sources.

First, establish the purpose or goal for reading or researching. Understanding why you're doing it will allow you to quickly filter out unnecessary information while keeping a keen eye on what matters.

Next, leverage your prior knowledge of the subject matter. This can help you quickly identify relevant information and assess source reliability - for instance, if researching something familiar such as politics, you may already possess an idea of which sources may be reliable and which aren't.

Consider the reliability and expertise of your sources when making decisions based on information gleaned from various sources. Look for authoritative figures with expertise in your chosen subject area while being wary of sources with hidden agendas that may distort their perspective.

At the forefront of selecting relevant information is making sure it's current. Information can quickly become outdated, making it important to find the newest sources. When gathering this type of data, it's advisable to note their dates so you can quickly assess whether they still provide accurate results or have become outdated.

Once you've amassed all the information required for your research, it’s critical that it is organized and manageable. You can take notes or print articles you find online. You should label your files clearly, making note of identifying information like ISBN or website addresses. Review your files regularly for anything which won't prove beneficial and remove anything unlikely to be used to keep all research organized and manageable.

By considering your purpose, evaluating sources for reliability and expertise, and keeping information current and manageable, you can select the most relevant and useful data for research or reading purposes.

The SQ3R Reading Method

The SQ3R Reading Method is a popular and effective technique used to improve reading comprehension and retention. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review; these are the five steps that form this approach aimed at improving comprehension. Rather than passively taking in material and comprehending it all on one go, the goal of SQ3R is not simply reading material but actively engaging with it for full understanding and retention.

What is the SQ3R Reading Method?

Have you ever found yourself reading but unable to comprehend or retain the content? Unfortunately, this can be an everyday struggle that many face - particularly academic or professional environments where reading comprehension is vitally important. But there is a solution: SQ3R Reading Method can help. The SQ3R Reading Method is an effective strategy for increasing reading comprehension and retaining information. The five-step plan comprises Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review stages.

Survey is the initial step, in which readers examine a text visually by scanning headings, subheadings, and images to form an overall idea of its subject matter. This allows readers to develop an effective mental map that aids understanding and retention.

Question is the second step, in which readers engage with texts by actively interrogating them through inquiry. This encourages critical thinking and improves reading comprehension; by asking pertinent inquiries a reader will become better equipped to analyze and comprehend a text.

Step three of the SQ3R Reading Method requires readers to go deep, reading each concept thoroughly in their text. This requires concentration and focus from readers - this step being key in terms of its success.

Recite is the fourth step, in which readers use an interactive learning style by discussing text aloud as though teaching it to someone else. This step reinforces comprehension and retention as readers can use what they just learned immediately.

Review is the final and fifth step, focused on summarizing and reviewing key points of a text to reinforce what has been learned while long-term retention of information is attained.

The SQ3R Reading Method is an effective technique for reading comprehension and retention. Following this process is a holistic approach that helps to ensure that readers comprehend and remember what they read. Regular practice with this technique can lead to increased proficiency and become an essential skill in becoming a more successful reader.

The KWL Reading Method

The KWL Reading Method is an active reading strategy commonly utilized in classrooms to engage and focus students while reading. The acronym stands for "What I Know, Want to Know, and Learned." Students using this strategy activate prior knowledge, set goals for themselves as readers, and reflect upon what they have gained through reading. Here we will explain more about what the KWL Reading Method entails as well as provide advice on how you can utilize it effectively for reading practice.

What is the KWL Reading Method?

The KWL Reading Method is an efficient strategy for active reading that encourages readers to tackle challenging texts. Using three simple columns, readers can keep track of what they already know, what they would like to learn and what has been gained after reading.

“K” stands for what is already known to the reader about a topic - this could include any prior knowledge or experience that they already possess on this subject matter. "W" stands for what the reader wants to learn - possibly an inventory of questions related to said topic that the reader wants answered. Finally, "L" represents what has been learned or gained through reading.

This method can be especially helpful in academic settings where students are expected to read and comprehend complex texts. By engaging actively with a text using the KWL method, readers can retain key pieces of information more effectively and measure their learning progress more easily.

You start by recording what you know about a subject and record their ideas in the K column of a KWL Reading Method chart. This helps activate prior knowledge and make connections to what's written in the text before you begin listing questions or things you want to learn in the W column of the chart. This helps guide your reading and draw attention to relevant information in text. Upon finishing reading the text, you should record what you’ve learned by recording it in the L column. No matter your reading level , this tool can help to summarize and assess whether learning objectives have been fulfilled.

Overall, the KWL Reading Method is an effective strategy for active reading that can be implemented across academic and nonacademic environments alike. By engaging with challenging texts and monitoring their learning progress, readers can improve their retention of information, critical thinking skills, and overall reading comprehension.

Interpretive reading is another effective method of deepening comprehension and analyzing texts. Where literal reading merely seeks to comprehend surface-level meaning of texts, interpretive reading aims at unpacking authorial intent, tone, and any hidden messages contained therein.

To develop this skill, readers must actively read and question a text's purpose in relation to their background knowledge or the world. Doing this requires engaging with multiple layers of meaning within the text while critically analyzing its contents - all while paying close attention to word choice, sentence structure, themes, and symbols used by authors to fully grasp their message.

Once readers understand the meaning of a text, it’s important for them to consider its wider implications and how it fits within a larger context. This involves investigating its relationship to historical, social, and economic factors, as well as understanding why an author's message may still be applicable beyond immediate context.

Interpretive reading is a fundamental skill necessary to understanding and appreciating complex texts such as literary works, academic articles, and other forms of writing. By dissecting the author’s intent and message beyond what appears on the surface, readers can uncover deeper meanings and insights that lead to greater comprehension of what the author intended.

Interpretive reading is an invaluable method of comprehension and analysis, providing readers with access to the full depth and complexity of texts. By paying close attention to an author's intent, tone, and subtextual messages, they can broaden their own comprehension while connecting more intimately with the writing.

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Reading a Scholarly Article or Research Paper

Identifying a research problem to investigate requires a preliminary search for and critical review of the literature in order to gain an understanding about how scholars have examined a topic. Scholars rarely structure research studies in a way that can be followed like a story; they are complex and detail-intensive and often written in a descriptive and conclusive narrative form. However, in the social and behavioral sciences, journal articles and stand-alone research reports are generally organized in a consistent format that makes it easier to compare and contrast studies and to interpret their contents.

General Reading Strategies

W hen you first read an article or research paper, focus on asking specific questions about each section. This strategy can help with overall comprehension and with understanding how the content relates [or does not relate] to the problem you want to investigate. As you review more and more studies, the process of understanding and critically evaluating the research will become easier because the content of what you review will begin to coalescence around common themes and patterns of analysis. Below are recommendations on how to read each section of a research paper effectively. Note that the sections to read are out of order from how you will find them organized in a journal article or research paper.

1.  Abstract

The abstract summarizes the background, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions of a scholarly article or research paper. Use the abstract to filter out sources that may have appeared useful when you began searching for information but, in reality, are not relevant. Questions to consider when reading the abstract are:

• Is this study related to my question or area of research?
• What is this study about and why is it being done ?
• What is the working hypothesis or underlying thesis?
• What is the primary finding of the study?
• Are there words or terminology that I can use to either narrow or broaden the parameters of my search for more information?

2.  Introduction

If, after reading the abstract, you believe the paper may be useful, focus on examining the research problem and identifying the questions the author is trying to address. This information is usually located within the first few paragraphs of the introduction or in the concluding paragraph. Look for information about how and in what way this relates to what you are investigating. In addition to the research problem, the introduction should provide the main argument and theoretical framework of the study and, in the last paragraphs of the introduction, describe what the author(s) intend to accomplish. Questions to consider when reading the introduction include:

• What is this study trying to prove or disprove?
• What is the author(s) trying to test or demonstrate?
• What do we already know about this topic and what gaps does this study try to fill or contribute a new understanding to the research problem?
• Why should I care about what is being investigated?
• Will this study tell me anything new related to the research problem I am investigating?

3.  Literature Review

The literature review describes and critically evaluates what is already known about a topic. Read the literature review to obtain a big picture perspective about how the topic has been studied and to begin the process of seeing where your potential study fits within the domain of prior research. Questions to consider when reading the literature review include:

• W hat other research has been conducted about this topic and what are the main themes that have emerged?
• What does prior research reveal about what is already known about the topic and what remains to be discovered?
• What have been the most important past findings about the research problem?
• How has prior research led the author(s) to conduct this particular study?
• Is there any prior research that is unique or groundbreaking?
• Are there any studies I could use as a model for designing and organizing my own study?

4.  Discussion/Conclusion

The discussion and conclusion are usually the last two sections of text in a scholarly article or research report. They reveal how the author(s) interpreted the findings of their research and presented recommendations or courses of action based on those findings. Often in the conclusion, the author(s) highlight recommendations for further research that can be used to develop your own study. Questions to consider when reading the discussion and conclusion sections include:

• What is the overall meaning of the study and why is this important? [i.e., how have the author(s) addressed the " So What? " question].
• What do you find to be the most important ways that the findings have been interpreted?
• What are the weaknesses in their argument?
• Do you believe conclusions about the significance of the study and its findings are valid?
• What limitations of the study do the author(s) describe and how might this help formulate my own research?
• Does the conclusion contain any recommendations for future research?

5.  Methods/Methodology

The methods section describes the materials, techniques, and procedures for gathering information used to examine the research problem. If what you have read so far closely supports your understanding of the topic, then move on to examining how the author(s) gathered information during the research process. Questions to consider when reading the methods section include:

• Did the study use qualitative [based on interviews, observations, content analysis], quantitative [based on statistical analysis], or a mixed-methods approach to examining the research problem?
• What was the type of information or data used?
• Could this method of analysis be repeated and can I adopt the same approach?
• Is enough information available to repeat the study or should new data be found to expand or improve understanding of the research problem?

6.  Results

After reading the above sections, you should have a clear understanding of the general findings of the study. Therefore, read the results section to identify how key findings were discussed in relation to the research problem. If any non-textual elements [e.g., graphs, charts, tables, etc.] are confusing, focus on the explanations about them in the text. Questions to consider when reading the results section include:

• W hat did the author(s) find and how did they find it?
• Does the author(s) highlight any findings as most significant?
• Are the results presented in a factual and unbiased way?
• Does the analysis of results in the discussion section agree with how the results are presented?
• Is all the data present and did the author(s) adequately address gaps?
• What conclusions do you formulate from this data and does it match with the author's conclusions?

7.  References

The references list the sources used by the author(s) to document what prior research and information was used when conducting the study. After reviewing the article or research paper, use the references to identify additional sources of information on the topic and to examine critically how these sources supported the overall research agenda. Questions to consider when reading the references include:

• Do the sources cited by the author(s) reflect a diversity of disciplinary viewpoints, i.e., are the sources all from a particular field of study or do the sources reflect multiple areas of study?
• Are there any unique or interesting sources that could be incorporated into my study?
• What other authors are respected in this field, i.e., who has multiple works cited or is cited most often by others?
• What other research should I review to clarify any remaining issues or that I need more information about?

NOTE:   A final strategy in reviewing research is to copy and paste the title of the source [journal article, book, research report] into Google Scholar . If it appears, look for a "cited by" followed by a hyperlinked number [e.g., Cited by 45]. This number indicates how many times the study has been subsequently cited in other, more recently published works. This strategy, known as citation tracking, can be an effective means of expanding your review of pertinent literature based on a study you have found useful and how scholars have cited it. The same strategies described above can be applied to reading articles you find in the list of cited by references.

Reading Tip

Specific Reading Strategies

Effectively reading scholarly research is an acquired skill that involves attention to detail and an ability to comprehend complex ideas, data, and theoretical concepts in a way that applies logically to the research problem you are investigating. Here are some specific reading strategies to consider.

As You are Reading

• Focus on information that is most relevant to the research problem; skim over the other parts.
• As noted above, read content out of order! This isn't a novel; you want to start with the spoiler to quickly assess the relevance of the study.
• Think critically about what you read and seek to build your own arguments; not everything may be entirely valid, examined effectively, or thoroughly investigated.
• Look up the definitions of unfamiliar words, concepts, or terminology. A good scholarly source is Credo Reference .

Taking notes as you read will save time when you go back to examine your sources. Here are some suggestions:

• Mark or highlight important text as you read [e.g., you can use the highlight text  feature in a PDF document]
• Take notes in the margins [e.g., Adobe Reader offers pop-up sticky notes].
• Highlight important quotations; consider using different colors to differentiate between quotes and other types of important text.
• Summarize key points about the study at the end of the paper. To save time, these can be in the form of a concise bulleted list of statements [e.g., intro has provides historical background; lit review has important sources; good conclusions].

Write down thoughts that come to mind that may help clarify your understanding of the research problem. Here are some examples of questions to ask yourself:

• Do I understand all of the terminology and key concepts?
• Do I understand the parts of this study most relevant to my topic?
• What specific problem does the research address and why is it important?
• Are there any issues or perspectives the author(s) did not consider?
• Do I have any reason to question the validity or reliability of this research?
• How do the findings relate to my research interests and to other works which I have read?

Adapted from text originally created by Holly Burt, Behavioral Sciences Librarian, USC Libraries, April 2018.

Another Reading Tip

When is it Important to Read the Entire Article or Research Paper

Laubepin argues, "Very few articles in a field are so important that every word needs to be read carefully." However, this implies that some studies are worth reading carefully. As painful and time-consuming as it may seem, there are valid reasons for reading a study from beginning to end. Here are some examples:

• Studies Published Very Recently .  The author(s) of a recent, well written study will provide a survey of the most important or impactful prior research in the literature review section. This can establish an understanding of how scholars in the past addressed the research problem. In addition, the most recently published sources will highlight what is currently known and what gaps in understanding currently exist about a topic, usually in the form of the need for further research in the conclusion .
• Surveys of the Research Problem .  Some papers provide a comprehensive analytical overview of the research problem. Reading this type of study can help you understand underlying issues and discover why scholars have chosen to investigate the topic. This is particularly important if the study was published very recently because the author(s) should cite all or most of the key prior research on the topic. Note that, if it is a long-standing problem, there may be studies that specifically review the literature to identify gaps that remain. These studies often include the word "review" in their title [e.g., Hügel, Stephan, and Anna R. Davies. "Public Participation, Engagement, and Climate Change Adaptation: A Review of the Research Literature." Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change 11 (July-August 2020): https://doi.org/10.1002/ wcc.645].
• Highly Cited .  If you keep coming across the same citation to a study while you are reviewing the literature, this implies it was foundational in establishing an understanding of the research problem or the study had a significant impact within the literature [either positive or negative]. Carefully reading a highly cited source can help you understand how the topic emerged and how it motivated scholars to further investigate the problem. It also could be a study you need to cite as foundational in your own paper to demonstrate to the reader that you understand the roots of the problem.
• Historical Overview .  Knowing the historical background of a research problem may not be the focus of your analysis. Nevertheless, carefully reading a study that provides a thorough description and analysis of the history behind an event, issue, or phenomenon can add important context to understanding the topic and what aspect of the problem you may want to examine further.
• Innovative Methodological Design .  Some studies are significant and should be read in their entirety because the author(s) designed a unique or innovative approach to researching the problem. This may justify reading the entire study because it can motivate you to think creatively about pursuing an alternative or non-traditional approach to examining your topic of interest. These types of studies are generally easy to identify because they are often cited in others works because of their unique approach to investigating the research problem.
• Cross-disciplinary Approach .  R eviewing studies produced outside of your discipline is an essential component of investigating research problems in the social and behavioral sciences. Consider reading a study that was conducted by author(s) based in a different discipline [e.g., an anthropologist studying political cultures; a study of hiring practices in companies published in a sociology journal]. This approach can generate a new understanding or a unique perspective about the topic . If you are not sure how to search for studies published in a discipline outside of your major or of the course you are taking, contact a librarian for assistance.

Laubepin, Frederique. How to Read (and Understand) a Social Science Journal Article . Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ISPSR), 2013; Shon, Phillip Chong Ho. How to Read Journal Articles in the Social Sciences: A Very Practical Guide for Students . 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2015; Lockhart, Tara, and Mary Soliday. "The Critical Place of Reading in Writing Transfer (and Beyond): A Report of Student Experiences." Pedagogy 16 (2016): 23-37; Maguire, Moira, Ann Everitt Reynolds, and Brid Delahunt. "Reading to Be: The Role of Academic Reading in Emergent Academic and Professional Student Identities." Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice 17 (2020): 5-12.

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• Last Updated: Aug 13, 2024 12:57 PM
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6 essential skills for reading comprehension

By Andrew M.I. Lee, JD

Expert reviewed by Margie Gillis, EdD

At a glance

Reading comprehension can be challenging for kids.

Kids must master a number of key skills, like decoding, to fully understand what they’re reading.

There are ways to help struggling readers build these skills at home and at school.

Some people think of the act of reading as a straightforward task that’s easy to master. In reality, reading is a complex process that draws on many different skills. Together, these skills lead to the ultimate goal of reading: reading comprehension, or understanding what’s been read.

Reading comprehension can be challenging for lots of reasons. Whatever the cause, knowing the skills involved, and which ones your child struggles with, can help you get the right support.

Here are six essential skills needed for reading comprehension , and tips on what can help kids improve this skill.

1. Decoding

Decoding is a vital step in the reading process. Kids use this skill to sound out words they’ve heard before but haven’t seen written out. The ability to do that is the foundation for other reading skills.

Decoding relies on an early language skill called phonemic awareness . (This skill is part of an even broader skill called phonological awareness .) Phonemic awareness lets kids hear individual sounds in words (known as phonemes ). It also allows them to “play” with sounds at the word and syllable level.

Decoding also relies on connecting individual sounds to letters. For instance, to read the word sun , kids must know that the letter s makes the /s/ sound. Grasping the connection between a letter (or group of letters) and the sounds they typically make is an important step toward “sounding out” words.

What can help: Most kids pick up the broad skill of phonological awareness naturally, by being exposed to books, songs, and rhymes . But some kids don’t. In fact, one of the early signs of reading difficulties is trouble with rhyming, counting syllables, or identifying the first sound in a word.

The best way to help kids with these skills is through specific instruction and practice. Kids have to be taught how to identify and work with sounds. You can also build phonological awareness at home through activities like word games and reading to your child.

To read fluently, kids need to instantly recognize words, including words they can’t sound out . Fluency speeds up the rate at which they can read and understand text. It’s also important when kids encounter irregular words, like of and the , which can’t be sounded out.

Sounding out or decoding every word can take a lot of effort. Word recognition is the ability to recognize whole words instantly by sight, without sounding them out.

When kids can read quickly and without making too many errors, they are “fluent” readers.

Fluent readers read smoothly at a good pace. They group words together to help with meaning, and they use the proper tone in their voice when reading aloud. Reading fluency is essential for good reading comprehension.

What can help: Word recognition can be a big obstacle for struggling readers. Average readers need to see a word four to 14 times before it becomes a “ sight word ” they automatically recognize. Kids with dyslexia, for instance, may need to see it up to 40 times.

Lots of kids struggle with reading fluency. As with other reading skills, kids need lots of specific instruction and practice to improve word recognition.

The main way to help build fluency is through practice reading books. It’s important to pick out books that are at the right level of difficulty for kids.

3. Vocabulary

To understand what you’re reading, you need to understand most of the words in the text. Having a strong vocabulary is a key component of reading comprehension. Students can learn vocabulary through instruction. But they typically learn the meaning of words through everyday experience and also by reading.

What can help: The more words kids are exposed to, the richer their vocabulary becomes. You can help build your child’s vocabulary by having frequent conversations on a variety of topics. Try to include new words and ideas. Telling jokes and playing word games is a fun way to build this skill.

Reading together every day also helps improve vocabulary. When reading aloud, stop at new words and define them. But also encourage your child to read alone. Even without hearing a definition of a new word, your child can use context to help figure it out.

Teachers can help, too. They can carefully choose interesting words to teach and then give explicit instruction (instruction that is specialized and direct). They can engage students in conversation. And they can make learning vocabulary fun by playing word games in class.

For more ideas, watch as an expert explains how to help struggling readers build their vocabulary .

4. Sentence construction and cohesion

Understanding how sentences are built might seem like a writing skill . So might connecting ideas within and between sentences, which is called cohesion . But these skills are important for reading comprehension as well.

Knowing how ideas link up at the sentence level helps kids get meaning from passages and entire texts. It also leads to something called coherence , or the ability to connect ideas to other ideas in an overall piece of writing.

What can help: Explicit instruction can teach kids the basics of sentence construction. For example, teachers can work with students on connecting two or more thoughts, through both writing and reading.

5. Reasoning and background knowledge

Most readers relate what they’ve read to what they know. So it’s important for kids to have background or prior knowledge about the world when they read. They also need to be able to “read between the lines” and pull out meaning even when it’s not literally spelled out.

Take this example: A child is reading a story about a poor family in the 1930s. Having knowledge about the Great Depression can provide insight into what’s happening in the story. The child can use that background knowledge to make inferences and draw conclusions.

What can help: Your child can build knowledge through reading, conversations, movies and TV shows, and art. Life experience and hands-on activities also build knowledge .

Expose your child to as much as possible, and talk about what you’ve learned from experiences you’ve had together and separately. Help your child make connections between new knowledge and existing knowledge. And ask open-ended questions that require thinking and explanations.

You can also read a teacher tip on using animated videos to help your child make inferences .

6. Working memory and attention

These two skills are both part of a group of abilities known as executive function . They’re different but closely related .

When kids read, attention allows them to take in information from the text. Working memory allows them to hold on to that information and use it to gain meaning and build knowledge from what they’re reading.

The ability to self-monitor while reading is also tied to that. Kids need to be able to recognize when they don’t understand something. Then they need to stop, go back, and re-read to clear up any confusion they may have.

What can help: There are many ways you can help improve your child’s working memory. Skillbuilders don’t have to feel like work, either. There are a number of games and everyday activities that can build working memory without kids even knowing it.

To help increase your child’s attention, look for reading material that’s interesting or motivating. For example, some kids may like graphic novels . Encourage your child to stop and re-read when something isn’t clear. And demonstrate how you “think aloud” when you read to make sure what you’re reading makes sense.

More ways to help with reading comprehension

When kids struggle with one or more of these skills, they can have trouble fully understanding what they read. Find out how to tell if your child has difficulty with reading comprehension .

Learn about what can cause trouble with reading in kids . Keep in mind that having reading difficulties doesn’t mean a child isn’t smart. But some kids need extra support and encouragement to make progress.

Key takeaways

Decoding, fluency, and vocabulary skills are key to reading comprehension.

Being able to connect ideas within and between sentences helps kids understand the whole text.

Reading aloud and talking about experiences can help kids build reading skills.

Explore related topics

Research Topics & Ideas: Education

170+ Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring education-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas , including examples from actual dissertations and theses..

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Education Research Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• List of 50+ education-related research topics/ideas
• List of 120+ level-specific research topics 
• Examples of actual dissertation topics in education
• Tips to fast-track your topic ideation (video)
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

Education-Related Research Topics & Ideas

Below you’ll find a list of education-related research topics and idea kickstarters. These are fairly broad and flexible to various contexts, so keep in mind that you will need to refine them a little. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

• The impact of school funding on student achievement
• The effects of social and emotional learning on student well-being
• The effects of parental involvement on student behaviour
• The impact of teacher training on student learning
• The impact of classroom design on student learning
• The impact of poverty on education
• The use of student data to inform instruction
• The role of parental involvement in education
• The effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom
• The use of technology in the classroom
• The role of critical thinking in education
• The use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom
• The use of differentiated instruction in the classroom
• The use of gamification in education
• The effects of teacher burnout on student learning
• The impact of school leadership on student achievement
• The effects of teacher diversity on student outcomes
• The role of teacher collaboration in improving student outcomes
• The implementation of blended and online learning
• The effects of teacher accountability on student achievement
• The effects of standardized testing on student learning
• The effects of classroom management on student behaviour
• The effects of school culture on student achievement
• The use of student-centred learning in the classroom
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on student outcomes
• The achievement gap in minority and low-income students
• The use of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom
• The impact of teacher professional development on student learning
• The use of project-based learning in the classroom
• The effects of teacher expectations on student achievement
• The use of adaptive learning technology in the classroom
• The impact of teacher turnover on student learning
• The effects of teacher recruitment and retention on student learning
• The impact of early childhood education on later academic success
• The impact of parental involvement on student engagement
• The use of positive reinforcement in education
• The impact of school climate on student engagement
• The role of STEM education in preparing students for the workforce
• The effects of school choice on student achievement
• The use of technology in the form of online tutoring

Level-Specific Research Topics

Looking for research topics for a specific level of education? We’ve got you covered. Below you can find research topic ideas for primary, secondary and tertiary-level education contexts. Click the relevant level to view the respective list.

Research Topics: Pick An Education Level

Primary education.

• Investigating the effects of peer tutoring on academic achievement in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of mindfulness practices in primary school classrooms
• Examining the effects of different teaching strategies on primary school students’ problem-solving skills
• The use of storytelling as a teaching strategy in primary school literacy instruction
• The role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in primary schools
• The impact of character education programs on moral development in primary school students
• Investigating the use of technology in enhancing primary school mathematics education
• The impact of inclusive curriculum on promoting equity and diversity in primary schools
• The impact of outdoor education programs on environmental awareness in primary school students
• The influence of school climate on student motivation and engagement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of early literacy interventions on reading comprehension in primary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student achievement in primary schools
• Exploring the benefits of inclusive education for students with special needs in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of teacher-student feedback on academic motivation in primary schools
• The role of technology in developing digital literacy skills in primary school students
• Effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in primary school students
• Investigating the role of parental support in reducing academic stress in primary school children
• The role of arts education in fostering creativity and self-expression in primary school students
• Examining the effects of early childhood education programs on primary school readiness
• Examining the effects of homework on primary school students’ academic performance
• The role of formative assessment in improving learning outcomes in primary school classrooms
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes in primary school
• Investigating the effects of classroom environment on student behavior and learning outcomes in primary schools
• Investigating the role of creativity and imagination in primary school curriculum
• The impact of nutrition and healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on primary school students’ well-being and academic performance
• The role of parental involvement in academic achievement of primary school children
• Examining the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior in primary school
• The role of school leadership in creating a positive school climate Exploring the benefits of bilingual education in primary schools
• The effectiveness of project-based learning in developing critical thinking skills in primary school students
• The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering curiosity and critical thinking in primary school students
• The effects of class size on student engagement and achievement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of recess and physical activity breaks on attention and learning in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of outdoor play in developing gross motor skills in primary school children
• The effects of educational field trips on knowledge retention in primary school students
• Examining the effects of inclusive classroom practices on students’ attitudes towards diversity in primary schools
• The impact of parental involvement in homework on primary school students’ academic achievement
• Investigating the effectiveness of different assessment methods in primary school classrooms
• The influence of physical activity and exercise on cognitive development in primary school children
• Exploring the benefits of cooperative learning in promoting social skills in primary school students

Secondary Education

• Investigating the effects of school discipline policies on student behavior and academic success in secondary education
• The role of social media in enhancing communication and collaboration among secondary school students
• The impact of school leadership on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of technology integration on teaching and learning in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction in promoting critical thinking skills in secondary schools
• The impact of arts education on creativity and self-expression in secondary school students
• The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in promoting student learning in secondary education
• The role of career guidance programs in preparing secondary school students for future employment
• Investigating the effects of student-centered learning approaches on student autonomy and academic success in secondary schools
• The impact of socio-economic factors on educational attainment in secondary education
• Investigating the impact of project-based learning on student engagement and academic achievement in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of multicultural education on cultural understanding and tolerance in secondary schools
• The influence of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior and academic engagement in secondary education
• The influence of teacher professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of extracurricular activities in promoting holistic development and well-roundedness in secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models on student engagement and achievement in secondary education
• The role of physical education in promoting physical health and well-being among secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of gender on academic achievement and career aspirations in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of multicultural literature in promoting cultural awareness and empathy among secondary school students
• The impact of school counseling services on student mental health and well-being in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of vocational education and training in preparing secondary school students for the workforce
• The role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age
• The influence of parental involvement on academic success and well-being of secondary school students
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on secondary school students’ well-being and academic success
• The role of character education in fostering ethical and responsible behavior in secondary school students
• Examining the effects of digital citizenship education on responsible and ethical technology use among secondary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools
• The impact of inclusive education on the social and academic outcomes of students with disabilities in secondary schools
• The influence of parental support on academic motivation and achievement in secondary education
• The role of school climate in promoting positive behavior and well-being among secondary school students
• Examining the effects of peer mentoring programs on academic achievement and social-emotional development in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of teacher-student relationships on student motivation and achievement in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning programs in promoting civic engagement among secondary school students
• The impact of educational policies on educational equity and access in secondary education
• Examining the effects of homework on academic achievement and student well-being in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of different assessment methods on student performance in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of single-sex education on academic performance and gender stereotypes in secondary schools
• The role of mentoring programs in supporting the transition from secondary to post-secondary education

Tertiary Education

• The role of student support services in promoting academic success and well-being in higher education
• The impact of internationalization initiatives on students’ intercultural competence and global perspectives in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of active learning classrooms and learning spaces on student engagement and learning outcomes in tertiary education
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning experiences in fostering civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education
• The influence of learning communities and collaborative learning environments on student academic and social integration in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of undergraduate research experiences in fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills
• Investigating the effects of academic advising and mentoring on student retention and degree completion in higher education
• The role of student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities on holistic student development in higher education
• The impact of multicultural education on fostering cultural competence and diversity appreciation in higher education
• The role of internships and work-integrated learning experiences in enhancing students’ employability and career outcomes
• Examining the effects of assessment and feedback practices on student learning and academic achievement in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty-student relationships on student success and well-being in tertiary education
• The impact of college transition programs on students’ academic and social adjustment to higher education
• The impact of online learning platforms on student learning outcomes in higher education
• The impact of financial aid and scholarships on access and persistence in higher education
• The influence of student leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities on personal development and campus engagement
• Exploring the benefits of competency-based education in developing job-specific skills in tertiary students
• Examining the effects of flipped classroom models on student learning and retention in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of online collaboration and virtual team projects in developing teamwork skills in tertiary students
• Investigating the effects of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus climate and student experiences in tertiary education
• The influence of study abroad programs on intercultural competence and global perspectives of college students
• Investigating the effects of peer mentoring and tutoring programs on student retention and academic performance in tertiary education
• Investigating the effectiveness of active learning strategies in promoting student engagement and achievement in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models and hybrid courses on student learning and satisfaction in higher education
• The role of digital literacy and information literacy skills in supporting student success in the digital age
• Investigating the effects of experiential learning opportunities on career readiness and employability of college students
• The impact of e-portfolios on student reflection, self-assessment, and showcasing of learning in higher education
• The role of technology in enhancing collaborative learning experiences in tertiary classrooms
• The impact of research opportunities on undergraduate student engagement and pursuit of advanced degrees
• Examining the effects of competency-based assessment on measuring student learning and achievement in tertiary education
• Examining the effects of interdisciplinary programs and courses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in college students
• The role of inclusive education and accessibility in promoting equitable learning experiences for diverse student populations
• The role of career counseling and guidance in supporting students’ career decision-making in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty diversity and representation on student success and inclusive learning environments in higher education

Education-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in education, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses in the education space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of education-related research projects to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• From Rural to Urban: Education Conditions of Migrant Children in China (Wang, 2019)
• Energy Renovation While Learning English: A Guidebook for Elementary ESL Teachers (Yang, 2019)
• A Reanalyses of Intercorrelational Matrices of Visual and Verbal Learners’ Abilities, Cognitive Styles, and Learning Preferences (Fox, 2020)
• A study of the elementary math program utilized by a mid-Missouri school district (Barabas, 2020)
• Instructor formative assessment practices in virtual learning environments : a posthumanist sociomaterial perspective (Burcks, 2019)
• Higher education students services: a qualitative study of two mid-size universities’ direct exchange programs (Kinde, 2020)
• Exploring editorial leadership : a qualitative study of scholastic journalism advisers teaching leadership in Missouri secondary schools (Lewis, 2020)
• Selling the virtual university: a multimodal discourse analysis of marketing for online learning (Ludwig, 2020)
• Advocacy and accountability in school counselling: assessing the use of data as related to professional self-efficacy (Matthews, 2020)
• The use of an application screening assessment as a predictor of teaching retention at a midwestern, K-12, public school district (Scarbrough, 2020)
• Core values driving sustained elite performance cultures (Beiner, 2020)
• Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum (Dwiggins, 2020)
• How female principals nurture adult learning opportunities in successful high schools with challenging student demographics (Woodward, 2020)
• The disproportionality of Black Males in Special Education: A Case Study Analysis of Educator Perceptions in a Southeastern Urban High School (McCrae, 2021)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, in order for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic within education, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

70 Comments

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Amazing guidelines

I am a graduate with two masters. 1) Master of arts in religious studies and 2) Master in education in foundations of education. I intend to do a Ph.D. on my second master’s, however, I need to bring both masters together through my Ph.D. research. can I do something like, ” The contribution of Philosophy of education for a quality religion education in Kenya”? kindly, assist and be free to suggest a similar topic that will bring together the two masters. thanks in advance

Hi, I am an Early childhood trainer as well as a researcher, I need more support on this topic: The impact of early childhood education on later academic success.

I’m a student in upper level secondary school and I need your support in this research topics: “Impact of incorporating project -based learning in teaching English language skills in secondary schools”.

Although research activities and topics should stem from reflection on one’s practice, I found this site valuable as it effectively addressed many issues we have been experiencing as practitioners.

Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

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The Most Important Research Skills (With Examples)

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Research skills are the ability to find out accurate information on a topic. They include being able to determine the data you need, find and interpret those findings, and then explain that to others. Being able to do effective research is a beneficial skill in any profession, as data and research inform how businesses operate. Whether you’re unsure of your research skills or are looking for ways to further improve them, then this article will cover important research skills and how to become even better at research. Key Takeaways Having strong research skills can help you understand your competitors, develop new processes, and build your professional skills in addition to aiding you in finding new customers and saving your company money. Some of the most valuable research skills you can have include goal setting, data collection, and analyzing information from multiple sources. You can and should put your research skills on your resume and highlight them in your job interviews. In This Article    Skip to section What are research skills? Why are research skills important? 12 of the most important research skills How to improve your research skills Highlighting your research skills in a job interview How to include research skills on your resume Resume examples showcasing research skills Research skills FAQs References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What are research skills?

Research skills are the necessary tools to be able to find, compile, and interpret information in order to answer a question. Of course, there are several aspects to this. Researchers typically have to decide how to go about researching a problem — which for most people is internet research.

In addition, you need to be able to interpret the reliability of a source, put the information you find together in an organized and logical way, and be able to present your findings to others. That means that they’re comprised of both hard skills — knowing your subject and what’s true and what isn’t — and soft skills. You need to be able to interpret sources and communicate clearly.

Why are research skills important?

Research skills are useful in any industry, and have applications in innovation, product development, competitor research, and many other areas. In addition, the skills used in researching aren’t only useful for research. Being able to interpret information is a necessary skill, as is being able to clearly explain your reasoning.

Research skills are used to:

Do competitor research. Knowing what your biggest competitors are up to is an essential part of any business. Researching what works for your competitors, what they’re doing better than you, and where you can improve your standing with the lowest resource expenditure are all essential if a company wants to remain functional.

Develop new processes and products. You don’t have to be involved in research and development to make improvements in how your team gets things done. Researching new processes that make your job (and those of your team) more efficient will be valued by any sensible employer.

Foster self-improvement. Folks who have a knack and passion for research are never content with doing things the same way they’ve always been done. Organizations need independent thinkers who will seek out their own answers and improve their skills as a matter of course. These employees will also pick up new technologies more easily.

Manage customer relationships. Being able to conduct research on your customer base is positively vital in virtually every industry. It’s hard to move products or sell services if you don’t know what people are interested in. Researching your customer base’s interests, needs, and pain points is a valuable responsibility.

Save money. Whether your company is launching a new product or just looking for ways to scale back its current spending, research is crucial for finding wasted resources and redirecting them to more deserving ends. Anyone who proactively researches ways that the company can save money will be highly appreciated by their employer.

Solve problems. Problem solving is a major part of a lot of careers, and research skills are instrumental in making sure your solution is effective. Finding out the cause of the problem and determining an effective solution both require accurate information, and research is the best way to obtain that — be it via the internet or by observation.

Determine reliable information. Being able to tell whether or not the information you receive seems accurate is a very valuable skill. While research skills won’t always guarantee that you’ll be able to tell the reliability of the information at first glance, it’ll prevent you from being too trusting. And it’ll give the tools to double-check .

12 of the most important research skills

Experienced researchers know that worthwhile investigation involves a variety of skills. Consider which research skills come naturally to you, and which you could work on more.

Data collection . When thinking about the research process, data collection is often the first thing that comes to mind. It is the nuts and bolts of research. How data is collected can be flexible.

For some purposes, simply gathering facts and information on the internet can fulfill your need. Others may require more direct and crowd-sourced research. Having experience in various methods of data collection can make your resume more impressive to recruiters.

Data collection methods include: Observation Interviews Questionnaires Experimentation Conducting focus groups

Analysis of information from different sources. Putting all your eggs in one source basket usually results in error and disappointment. One of the skills that good researchers always incorporate into their process is an abundance of sources. It’s also best practice to consider the reliability of these sources.

Are you reading about U.S. history on a conspiracy theorist’s blog post? Taking facts for a presentation from an anonymous Twitter account?

If you can’t determine the validity of the sources you’re using, it can compromise all of your research. That doesn’t mean just disregard anything on the internet but double-check your findings. In fact, quadruple-check. You can make your research even stronger by turning to references outside of the internet.

Examples of reliable information sources include: Published books Encyclopedias Magazines Databases Scholarly journals Newspapers Library catalogs

Finding information on the internet. While it can be beneficial to consulate alternative sources, strong internet research skills drive modern-day research.

One of the great things about the internet is how much information it contains, however, this comes with digging through a lot of garbage to get to the facts you need. The ability to efficiently use the vast database of knowledge that is on the internet without getting lost in the junk is very valuable to employers.

Internet research skills include: Source checking Searching relevant questions Exploring deeper than the first options Avoiding distraction Giving credit Organizing findings

Interviewing. Some research endeavors may require a more hands-on approach than just consulting internet sources. Being prepared with strong interviewing skills can be very helpful in the research process.

Interviews can be a useful research tactic to gain first-hand information and being able to manage a successful interview can greatly improve your research skills.

Interviewing skills involves: A plan of action Specific, pointed questions Respectfulness Considering the interview setting Actively Listening Taking notes Gratitude for participation

Report writing. Possessing skills in report writing can assist you in job and scholarly research. The overall purpose of a report in any context is to convey particular information to its audience.

Effective report writing is largely dependent on communication. Your boss, professor , or general reader should walk away completely understanding your findings and conclusions.

Report writing skills involve: Proper format Including a summary Focusing on your initial goal Creating an outline Proofreading Directness

Critical thinking. Critical thinking skills can aid you greatly throughout the research process, and as an employee in general. Critical thinking refers to your data analysis skills. When you’re in the throes of research, you need to be able to analyze your results and make logical decisions about your findings.

Critical thinking skills involve: Observation Analysis Assessing issues Problem-solving Creativity Communication

Planning and scheduling. Research is a work project like any other, and that means it requires a little forethought before starting. Creating a detailed outline map for the points you want to touch on in your research produces more organized results.

It also makes it much easier to manage your time. Planning and scheduling skills are important to employers because they indicate a prepared employee.

Planning and scheduling skills include: Setting objectives Identifying tasks Prioritizing Delegating if needed Vision Communication Clarity Time-management

Note-taking. Research involves sifting through and taking in lots of information. Taking exhaustive notes ensures that you will not neglect any findings later and allows you to communicate these results to your co-workers. Being able to take good notes helps summarize research.

Examples of note-taking skills include: Focus Organization Using short-hand Keeping your objective in mind Neatness Highlighting important points Reviewing notes afterward

Communication skills. Effective research requires being able to understand and process the information you receive, either written or spoken. That means that you need strong reading comprehension and writing skills — two major aspects of communication — as well as excellent listening skills.

Most research also involves showcasing your findings. This can be via a presentation. , report, chart, or Q&A. Whatever the case, you need to be able to communicate your findings in a way that educates your audience.

Communication skills include: Reading comprehension Writing Listening skills Presenting to an audience Creating graphs or charts Explaining in layman’s terms

Time management. We’re, unfortunately, only given 24 measly hours in a day. The ability to effectively manage this time is extremely powerful in a professional context. Hiring managers seek candidates who can accomplish goals in a given timeframe.

Strong time management skills mean that you can organize a plan for how to break down larger tasks in a project and complete them by a deadline. Developing your time management skills can greatly improve the productivity of your research.

Time management skills include: Scheduling Creating task outlines Strategic thinking Stress-management Delegation Communication Utilizing resources Setting realistic expectations Meeting deadlines

Using your network. While this doesn’t seem immediately relevant to research skills, remember that there are a lot of experts out there. Knowing what people’s areas of expertise and asking for help can be tremendously beneficial — especially if it’s a subject you’re unfamiliar with.

Your coworkers are going to have different areas of expertise than you do, and your network of people will as well. You may even know someone who knows someone who’s knowledgeable in the area you’re researching. Most people are happy to share their expertise, as it’s usually also an area of interest to them.

Networking involves: Remembering people’s areas of expertise Being willing to ask for help Communication Returning favors Making use of advice Asking for specific assistance

Attention to detail. Research is inherently precise. That means that you need to be attentive to the details, both in terms of the information you’re gathering, but also in where you got it from. Making errors in statistics can have a major impact on the interpretation of the data, not to mention that it’ll reflect poorly on you.

There are proper procedures for citing sources that you should follow. That means that your sources will be properly credited, preventing accusations of plagiarism. In addition, it means that others can make use of your research by returning to the original sources.

Attention to detail includes: Double checking statistics Taking notes Keeping track of your sources Staying organized Making sure graphs are accurate and representative Properly citing sources

How to improve your research skills

As with many professional skills, research skills serve us in our day to day life. Any time you search for information on the internet, you’re doing research. That means that you’re practicing it outside of work as well. If you want to continue improving your research skills, both for professional and personal use, here are some tips to try.

Differentiate between source quality. A researcher is only as good as their worst source. Start paying attention to the quality of the sources you use, and be suspicious of everything your read until you check out the attributions and works cited.

Be critical and ask yourself about the author’s bias, where the author’s research aligns with the larger body of verified research in the field, and what publication sponsored or published the research.

Use multiple resources. When you can verify information from a multitude of sources, it becomes more and more credible. To bolster your faith in one source, see if you can find another source that agrees with it.

Don’t fall victim to confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is when a researcher expects a certain outcome and then goes to find data that supports this hypothesis. It can even go so far as disregarding anything that challenges the researcher’s initial hunch. Be prepared for surprising answers and keep an open mind.

Be open to the idea that you might not find a definitive answer. It’s best to be honest and say that you found no definitive answer instead of just confirming what you think your boss or coworkers expect or want to hear. Experts and good researchers are willing to say that they don’t know.

Stay organized. Being able to cite sources accurately and present all your findings is just as important as conducting the research itself. Start practicing good organizational skills , both on your devices and for any physical products you’re using.

Get specific as you go. There’s nothing wrong with starting your research in a general way. After all, it’s important to become familiar with the terminology and basic gist of the researcher’s findings before you dig down into all the minutia.

Highlighting your research skills in a job interview

A job interview is itself a test of your research skills. You can expect questions on what you know about the company, the role, and your field or industry more generally. In order to give expert answers on all these topics, research is crucial.

Start by researching the company . Look into how they communicate with the public through social media, what their mission statement is, and how they describe their culture.

Pay close attention to the tone of their website. Is it hyper professional or more casual and fun-loving? All of these elements will help decide how best to sell yourself at the interview.

Next, research the role. Go beyond the job description and reach out to current employees working at your desired company and in your potential department. If you can find out what specific problems your future team is or will be facing, you’re sure to impress hiring managers and recruiters with your ability to research all the facts.

Finally, take time to research the job responsibilities you’re not as comfortable with. If you’re applying for a job that represents increased difficulty or entirely new tasks, it helps to come into the interview with at least a basic knowledge of what you’ll need to learn.

How to include research skills on your resume

Research projects require dedication. Being committed is a valuable skill for hiring managers. Whether you’ve had research experience throughout education or a former job, including it properly can boost the success of your resume .

Consider how extensive your research background is. If you’ve worked on multiple, in-depth research projects, it might be best to include it as its own section. If you have less research experience, include it in the skills section .

Focus on your specific role in the research, as opposed to just the research itself. Try to quantify accomplishments to the best of your abilities. If you were put in charge of competitor research, for example, list that as one of the tasks you had in your career.

If it was a particular project, such as tracking the sale of women’s clothing at a tee-shirt company, you can say that you “directed analysis into women’s clothing sales statistics for a market research project.”

Ascertain how directly research skills relate to the job you’re applying for. How strongly you highlight your research skills should depend on the nature of the job the resume is for. If research looks to be a strong component of it, then showcase all of your experience.

If research looks to be tangential, then be sure to mention it — it’s a valuable skill — but don’t put it front and center.

Resume examples showcasing research skills

Example #1: Academic Research

Simon Marks 767 Brighton Blvd. | Brooklyn, NY, 27368 | (683)-262-8883 | [email protected] Diligent and hardworking recent graduate seeking a position to develop professional experience and utilize research skills. B.A. in Biological Sciences from New York University. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Lixus Publishing , Brooklyn, NY Office Assistant- September 2018-present Scheduling and updating meetings Managing emails and phone calls Reading entries Worked on a science fiction campaign by researching target demographic Organizing calendars Promoted to office assistant after one year internship Mitch’s Burgers and Fries , Brooklyn, NY Restaurant Manager , June 2014-June 2018 Managed a team of five employees Responsible for coordinating the weekly schedule Hired and trained two employees Kept track of inventory Dealt with vendors Provided customer service Promoted to restaurant manager after two years as a waiter Awarded a $2.00/hr wage increase SKILLS Writing Scientific Research Data analysis Critical thinking Planning Communication RESEARCH Worked on an ecosystem biology project with responsibilities for algae collection and research (2019) Lead a group of freshmen in a research project looking into cell biology (2018) EDUCATION New York University Bachelors in Biological Sciences, September 2016-May 2020

Example #2: Professional Research

Angela Nichols 1111 Keller Dr. | San Francisco, CA | (663)-124-8827 |[email protected] Experienced and enthusiastic marketer with 7 years of professional experience. Seeking a position to apply my marketing and research knowledge. Skills in working on a team and flexibility. EXPERIENCE Apples amp; Oranges Marketing, San Francisco, CA Associate Marketer – April 2017-May 2020 Discuss marketing goals with clients Provide customer service Lead campaigns associated with women’s health Coordinating with a marketing team Quickly solving issues in service and managing conflict Awarded with two raises totaling $10,000 over three years Prestigious Marketing Company, San Francisco, CA Marketer – May 2014-April 2017 Working directly with clients Conducting market research into television streaming preferences Developing marketing campaigns related to television streaming services Report writing Analyzing campaign success statistics Promoted to Marketer from Junior Marketer after the first year Timberlake Public Relations, San Francisco, CA Public Relations Intern – September 2013–May 2014 Working cohesively with a large group of co-workers and supervisors Note-taking during meetings Running errands Managing email accounts Assisting in brainstorming Meeting work deadlines EDUCATION Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a minor in Communications – September 2009 – May 2013 SKILLS Marketing Market research Record-keeping Teamwork Presentation. Flexibility

Research skills FAQs

What research skills are important?

Goal-setting and data collection are important research skills. Additional important research skills include:

Using different sources to analyze information.

Finding information on the internet.

Interviewing sources.

Writing reports.

Critical thinking.

Planning and scheduling.

Note-taking.

Managing time.

How do you develop good research skills?

You develop good research skills by learning how to find information from multiple high-quality sources, by being wary of confirmation bias, and by starting broad and getting more specific as you go.

When you learn how to tell a reliable source from an unreliable one and get in the habit of finding multiple sources that back up a claim, you’ll have better quality research.

In addition, when you learn how to keep an open mind about what you’ll find, you’ll avoid falling into the trap of confirmation bias, and by staying organized and narrowing your focus as you go (rather than before you start), you’ll be able to gather quality information more efficiently.

What is the importance of research?

The importance of research is that it informs most decisions and strategies in a business. Whether it’s deciding which products to offer or creating a marketing strategy, research should be used in every part of a company.

Because of this, employers want employees who have strong research skills. They know that you’ll be able to put them to work bettering yourself and the organization as a whole.

Should you put research skills on your resume?

Yes, you should include research skills on your resume as they are an important professional skill. Where you include your research skills on your resume will depend on whether you have a lot of experience in research from a previous job or as part of getting your degree, or if you’ve just cultivated them on your own.

If your research skills are based on experience, you could put them down under the tasks you were expected to perform at the job in question. If not, then you should likely list it in your skills section.

University of the People – The Best Research Skills for Success

Association of Internet Research Specialists — What are Research Skills and Why Are They Important?

MasterClass — How to Improve Your Research Skills: 6 Research Tips

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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Breaking News

Many high school students can’t read. Is the solution teaching reading in every class?

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Like many high school chemistry teachers, Angie Hackman said she instructs students on atoms, matter and how they “influence the world around us.”

But Hackman also has another responsibility: developing students’ literacy skills. She closely reads passages from their textbooks, breaks apart prefixes and suffixes and identifies root words. She dissected the word “intermolecular,” and its prefix, “inter,” connecting it to other words with that same prefix.

Every teacher at her San Diego charter school, Health Sciences High and Middle College , teaches students literacy skills, regardless of the subject. That’s because so many students arrive at the school struggling with basic reading, some scoring at the first- or second-grade level, said Douglas Fisher, a school administrator.

The goal is for high school graduates to attain “reading levels ready for college.”

The school has expected teachers to integrate literacy into their lessons since its 2007 founding. To help them succeed, the school — which last year enrolled about 500 high schoolers , roughly 80% of whom qualified for free or reduced-priced lunch — provides its teachers with daily professional development and coaching on literacy instruction and other topics.

Research suggests that while some students catch up to their peers after one-on-one interventions, a bigger impact may come from embedding reading instruction into other classes, “where these kids spend a majority of their day,” said Jade Wexler, a professor of special education with a focus on adolescent literacy at the University of Maryland.

A handful of school districts and states, including Idaho and Ohio, are starting to explore the approach.

Poor reading skills are a nationwide issue. On the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress , known as the Nation’s Report Card, nearly 70% of eighth-graders scored below “proficient, ” including 30% who scored below “basic,” roughly the same as California scores.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District, 72% of eighth-graders scored below proficient and 33% below basic in 2022.

“In a typical classroom that’s about 25 kids, that means about 17 are still struggling to comprehend text at the most foundational level,” said Wexler.

That may be due, in part, to larger troubles with literacy instruction. For decades, the primary methods for teaching students how to read in the U.S. were out of line with evolving research , known as “the science of reading.”

Stanford study wades into reading wars with high marks for phonics-based teaching

The state’s worst performing schools improved after ‘science of reading’ reforms, using phonics, were paired with ongoing support, analysis and parent buy-in.

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A wide body of research indicates students need explicit instruction in foundational reading skills, like phonics, in order to be able to recognize and make sense of words on the page. But many schools have also used a rival curriculum called the “whole language” approach, which generally de-emphasizes phonics.

Some high school teachers see the fallout, said Wexler.

“Many students struggle at the secondary level with decoding, typically multisyllabic words, so those longer words that they’re encountering in science text, for example, or in social studies text,” Wexler said. “We also have a lot of our kids that can decode these words at decent levels and with fluency but they still struggle to comprehend the text that they’re reading.”

In recent years, school systems have begun to make changes. Between 2019 and 2022, more than 200 laws to reform reading instruction were enacted in 45 states and the District of Columbia, according to a report by the Albert Shanker Institute.

California passed nine bills related to reading reform in that time, according to the Shanker Institute.

However, a bill to mandate the “science of reading” was tabled during this past legislative session. The California Teachers Assn. opposed the bill, saying it was a “one size fits all approach” that could harm literacy instruction already rooted in the science of reading. Also, the proposal did not meet the needs of English learners.

Some experts and educators worry reading reforms have left older students behind.

Susan B. Neuman, the report’s lead author and an education professor at New York University, said high schools were least affected by the wave of legislation up to 2022.

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“It is mostly targeted on those early grades,” Neuman said. “You could even say that four through sixth grade is left behind a bit.”

Kayla Reist, another author of the Shanker Institute report, said that if states started focusing on high schoolers in reading reform legislation, they would “really have to start talking about teacher preparation programs” and professional development. That’s because many high school teachers finish their training without lessons on how to teach reading, which is typically focused on early grades.

In a 2008 practice guide on improving adolescent literacy, the Institute of Education Sciences, a research institution that is part of the U.S. Department of Education, stated that “many teachers report feeling unprepared to help their students or do not think that teaching reading skills in content-area classes is their responsibility.”

“If you are a science teacher, you want to teach science, you really don’t want to hang out and talk about the academic vocabulary of science,” Neuman said.

While a few states have passed legislation to better prepare teachers of middle and high schoolers in literacy instruction, California is not among them.

In response to questions, the California Department of Education said that a top priority for California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is an initiative called Reading by Third Grade and Beyond , a plan to ensure all California students learn to read by third grade by 2026.

Wexler, the literacy expert, is researching ways to build a schoolwide literacy model at the secondary level. That might include strategies like the one embraced by Health Sciences High.

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Kimberly Elliot, an instructional coach at the school, said teachers of all subjects are receptive to the literacy training. But the instruction looks different in different classrooms.

“What a close read looks like in a science class might be slightly different than supporting students to break down a mathematics problem,” Elliot said.

While Hackman, the chemistry teacher, spends a lot of class time reading articles, Maggie Fallon, a math teacher, said she primarily supports literacy by teaching students new vocabulary.

“It’s more like figuring out what word equals a mathematical symbol,” Fallon said, explaining that she often asks her students to annotate word problems to derive meaning.

Faiza Omar, who took Hackman’s class last school year as a junior, learned English as a second language and didn’t receive the foundational reading interventions until high school. She said the additional reading review in her main subject classes helped “make sure everyone is on the same page.”

“It gives me understanding of what’s going on,” Omar said.

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report , a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.

More to Read

Commentary: Why aren’t all California elementary school students learning science?

Aug. 3, 2024

Autism, dyslexia, ADHD. How the University of San Diego is helping ‘neurodivergent’ students succeed

June 6, 2024

Opinion: Should California schools stick to phonics-based reading ‘science’? It’s not so simple

Feb. 26, 2024

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201 Literacy Essay Topics & Examples

If you’ve found this article, you probably need good literacy topics to choose from. We’ve got a whole collection of them for high school and college students.

🏆 Best Literacy Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

👍 good literacy essay topics, 📃 interesting literacy research topics, 🔍 good research topics about literacy, ⭐ simple & easy literacy essay titles, ❓ research questions about literacy.

Our IvyPanda team has gathered this list of literacy topics for research papers and essays. Look through them to pick the best one to write about.

• The Importance of Literacy Essay (Critical Writing) Literacy is a skill that is never late to acquire because it is essential for education, employment, belonging to the community, and ability to help one’s children.
• Literacy Definition and Importance Literacy is the process of learning whereby an individual gains the ability to understand and convey written information, gain new skills from the information, teach those skills and apply the acquired knowledge and skills for […]
• The Concept and Importance of Information Literacy In fact, Information Literacy is far much better than these concepts because it stands ahead, gives the ability to think outside the box and not only gives the access to the knowledge but also the […]
• Retelling as a Literacy Assessment Retelling is the effective tool to assess the students’ comprehension of the text while reading with references to understanding the order of events and key points of the story.
• Children’s Literature in Literacy Education The primary aim of the paper is to provide the in-depth analysis regarding the role of the children’s literature in the literacy education.
• Multi-Literacy, Its Types and Characteristics Thus, students are to be taught not only literacy skills but also the identification of alterations in the patterns of meaning depending on the context. For instance, they are to be aware of the main […]
• The Connection between Literacy, Education and New media This relationship is viewed to continue growing stronger as more educational institutions incorporate the use of new media in the literacy development and educational practices.
• Informal Reading Inventory as Literacy Assessment To assess the student’s ability to recognize words and determine the reading level, it is necessary to use graded word lists and graded text passages to conduct the informal reading inventory.
• Financial Literacy: The Importance in the Modern World Hence, it is necessary to learn the fundamentals of financial literacy from a young age in order to have a carefree retirement, emergency funds, and protection against inflation.
• How Information Literacy Affects Nursing Informatics in the 21st Century With the discovery of technology and the availability of applications that supports healthcare, there has been a positive shift in information literacy. In conclusion, nursing informatics has been one of the best ways of supporting […]
• Hypodermic Syringe Model and Media Literacy A person’s media competence can be developed starting from an early age, and it is the responsibility of parents and teachers to control media influence on children and teach them to use mass media to […]
• Literacy Development in Five Stages The question that children tend to ask during the stage of awareness and exploration are the main signifiers of the literacy development process being launched.
• Visual Literacy: Definition and Impact Both Dondis and Kennedy agree that visual literacy enhances meaning and understanding of what one sees and the way one lives.
• Corporate Media Consolidation: Everyday Media Literacy The third significant issue that arises with media consolidation is the intensification of censorship and the threat to broad media choice.
• “Clive Thompson on the New Literacy” by Clive Thompson Reasoning in the framework of the text, the readers notice a subsequent transition of the argument from “kids today cannot write” and “age of illiteracy” to “literacy revolution” and “write for an audience”.
• Computer Literacy: Parents and Guardians Role Filtering and monitoring content on the internet is one of the most important roles that parents in the contemporary world should play, and it reveals that parents care about their children.
• Literacy and Numeracy Demands Genre is used to describe the elemnts of communication channels or types, usually the types of texts and specific language, which emerged within a specific community.
• Literacy Through iPads in Early Education In the article, Beschorner and Hutchison, note that in the 21st century, children gain access to written language very early due to the use of digital devices.
• Promoting Literacy to Students: The Challenges and the Solutions Thus, basing the research on the theory of phonetic awareness, one can presume that the roots of low literacy rates are going to be found and that the most efficient means of improving literacy rates […]
• Defining Literacy Concept The final type of literacy is health literacy that evaluates how well one can comprehend and use health-related information to make health-related decisions.
• From the First Language Literacy to the Second Language Proficiency The above observation was also apparent in the study by Benseman, Sutton and Lander who explained that, the involvement of the learner in the teaching allows students to increase their use of first language literacy […]
• Story of Media Literacy Overview Consequently, it is imperative for students and people, in general, to consume media content objectively and to analyze the message portrayed in the news.
• Philosophy of Literacy Instruction And, of course, the literacy educator needs to be critical of his work and seek opportunities for personal improvement Literacy educator needs to understand that reading and writing are social activities and that students should […]
• “Literacy in Three Metaphors” by Sylvia Scribner The fundamental proposal presented by the author revolves around the thought that the main problem of literacy is the conceptualization and formulation of a proper education plan.
• Thematic Cross-Curricular Approach Toward Literacy Learning It has been recommended for schools to pay closer attention to the needs of teachers in planning a thematic curriculum and facilitate the establishment of policies that will help support teachers and their students in […]
• Reading and Literacy of the Students In order to motivate the students so that they may be engaged for the rest of the day, I begin the class with a general discussion of the latest issue that is making headlines either […]
• Shared Reading as a Literacy Strategy Reading strategy involves determining mental actions that learners take when they are reading to assist them to build and maintain the meaning of what they would be reading.
• Reading and Literacy Statistics In order to examine the historical development of reading, it is necessary to refer to the analysis and definition of spoken language and human communication and consider reading a necessity to sharing and retaining information.
• Role of Teachers in Literacy Education The current essay shows why a qualified teacher is critical in literacy programs and examines three factors that can improve student outcomes. There is a large variety of approaches, techniques, and strategies that can improve […]
• The Literacy Night Activity Observation It is important to note that literacy is not limited only to reading and writing because there are key elements of being able to share ideas as well.
• Health Literacy in Hemodialysis Patients Namely, the guide written by the US Department of Health and Human Services focuses on the online aspect of distributing valuable information to the population groups.
• Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills Media literacy implies an understanding by the audience of the basic principles of the work of the media, including the search for the necessary information, understanding the principles of the formation of messages by different […]
• Media Literacy Amongst Children To equip children and the young generation with relevant knowledge and provide them with the necessary tools to understand the present media landscape and be critical informers.
• Important Moment in Literacy Development Journey My inability to understand became sore when my parents and teachers determined that I needed to remain in the second grade to improve my comprehension skills.
• The What’s Hot in Literacy Survey Results As a future teacher, I would like to express solidarity with the report’s authors and the topics they covered, especially considering that not all children have at least a primary education to develop literacy. This […]
• Health Literacy in the Modern Digital Age Although the dynamic of doctor-patient interaction changed due to the abundance of online resources, its downside may be the spread of false and scientifically unsupported information, resulting in damage to people’s health.
• Health Literacy: Using Patient Portals Aside from needs assessments, I would create teaching materials to provide the staff with ideas on how to offer accommodations for low- and medium-literacy portal users.
• Importance of Health Literacy for Human Health Thus, the paper addresses the lack of attention to the public sector and the absence of innovative approaches in the administration of the policies.
• Development of Emergent Literacy in Young ESL Learners In the context of the present-day settings, when communication with strangers is reduced to a minimum due to the threat of the COVID-19, the introduction of digital tools needs to be tested as the method […]
• Culturally Sensitive Nurses Teaching Health Literacy When patients from different cultures have a problem understanding healthcare practices, nurses have a role in explaining to them the diagnosis and treatment in a way that acknowledges their cultural needs.
• Technological Literacy and Technical Fluency Tyler argues that technological literacy is the ability to use technology, while fluency in technology is a deep understanding of it and the future it brings to society.
• Media Literacy Research: Analysis of the Issue In the process of research, I have significantly expanded my ability to access and analyze media messages as well as to use the power of information to communicate and make a difference in the world.
• Low Health Literacy in Edison Township The prevalence of these outcomes is based on the level of health literacy within a community attributed to the existing social interventions.
• Project Proposal on Budgeting: An Individual’s Economic Literacy Purchasing this device is a long-time dream of mine, as it will allow me to pursue creativity, view media content, and feel more confident in my daily life; in addition, I expect that the iPad […]
• Aspects of Literacy Establishment Alphabet awareness is the ability to identify letters from the alphabet, which is related to writing and understanding letter sounds. Lack of alphabet awareness may prevent the development of writing skills and interfere with understanding […]
• Clinical Field Experience: Integrating Creative Arts and Literacy Formative assessment is critical for the identification of the gaps students may have and the material they may have failed to cover properly.
• Health Literacy and Patient Education The Internet’s accessibility made various types of health information available for any person, and many consumers developed a habit to check the online sources for symptoms or primarily help before reaching out to a healthcare […]
• The NP Core Competency of Technology and Information Literacy I advised him to consult a physician, and my use of EHRs appeared to be helpful because it allowed the physician to access patient data easily and confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.
• Literacy Bags as a Useful Pedagogical Tool The use of literacy bags addresses family involvement, instilling a love of learning, and controlling homeschooling. The contents of the bag depending on the topic being taught and the teacher’s intentions.
• Family Literacy Night Parents ensure that children develop positive, nurturing relationships with adults and have better opportunities to initiate and engage in conversations.
• Health Literacy: Strategies to Minimize Barriers In the training of a medical worker, the role of studying natural science and clinical disciplines is undeniable, but the ability of employees to master their speech well, their ability to listen and hear, and […]
• Media Violence and Importance of Media Literacy Media literacy is the public’s ability to access, decode, evaluate and transmit a message from media. Improved media literacy and education will enable the responsible consumption of information.
• Strategies for Teaching Literacy in a Secondary Classroom Beforehand, the authors discuss potential obstacles, including disabilities, a cycle of failure, and the absence of motivation, and provide a socio-linguistic background to the literacy acquisition process.
• Meeting Small Group’s Literacy Needs One peculiarity of this approach to lesson organization is that it offers minimal opportunities for the differentiation of instruction, and it is reasonable to give preference to this approach when introducing concepts that are totally […]
• Emergent Literacy: How to Make Your Child’s Life Easier? While in the womb, the fetus remembers the rhythm of language, hears the first sounds, and tries to interpret them. The key to this approach is the recognition that the language is not discrete, which […]
• Phonological and Phonemic Awareness and Literacy Development Simultaneously, phonemic awareness is a more advanced understanding of language, the next level of phonological awareness, when a person can identify and manage the smallest units of speech, the phoneme.
• Information Literacy and Power in Business The information is complete when all the data and associated context relevant for the problem is available. Information is crucial in determining business/organization success, success factors are determined from the data and context.
• Models of Information Literacy for Business Report Finally by the end of the lesson the learner should be able to obtain new knowledge in the use of literacy information.
• Literacy and Numeracy in the Geography Subject Area In the given sample, the student, Pat, demonstrates the basic understanding of the topic, and her skills seem to be poor. The presented sequence of lessons is designed to improve students’ numeracy and literacy skills […]
• Enhancing Health Literacy for People With Type 2 Diabetes Two professionals, Andrew Long, a professor in the school of heath care in the University of Leeds, and Tina Gambling, senior lecturer in the school of health care studies from the University of Cardiff, conducted […]
• The Importance of Health Literacy In essence, health literacy is very important to all stakeholders in health care settings. Health literacy is one of the most common issues in healthcare settings.
• Health Literacy: Does It Make a Difference? The article investigates how health literacy contributes to the general development of the nursing practice. The article continues by outlining how health literacy is of benefit to healthcare.
• Literacy Demands in the Australian English Syllabus The curriculum also requires learners to “explore the difference in the use of English both at home and school, depending on the relationship between the speakers”.
• Thinking, Learning, and Literacy in the Internet Age However, one can present a counterargument to the given statement by claiming that it is not reading that is negatively affected by the web, but rather the style or format of the activity.
• Archetypes in Lyrics: Finding Literacy in Song This turn of the story is unexpected because the text of the first two verses is cheerful, and the motive and melody of the composition have a fast and joyful mood.
• Health Literacy and Access to Healthcare Services: Problems, Interventions, and Suggestions for Improvements Unfortunately, due to the emergence of new health threats and the lack of accessibility to healthcare, as well as the absence of basic health literacy in an upsettingly large number of the U.S.population, changes have […]
• Effects of Information Literacy on Scholarship, Practice and Leadership in Teaching Profession The first and the most obvious negative aspect of the introduction of information literacy into the field of SPL in the sphere of teaching profession is the abundance of sources and the search for the […]
• Emergent Literacy Skills in Children With Hearing Loss The research is stated to “learn more about the early development of literacy skills by examining changes over a typical school year for small children with hearing losses” specifically within the group of young children, […]
• Beginning Literacy Learner Study It does not amount to too much trouble for now, as he is able to perform the majority of the tasks and pass the majority of the tests with relative success.
• “Visual Literacy Theory” by Paul Messaris In its turn, this points out at the fallacious essence of Messaris’ idea that spatial intelligence is an objective category: “One of the clearest examples of spatial intelligence is the ability of movies to conjure […]
• Information Literacy in Public Safety Sector Professionals are supposed to be prepared by providing theories inform of public safety scholars and research did to understand them before availing the information to the public.
• Developing Children’s Language and Literacy Skills The culture of the society his family belongs to greatly influences how he imbibes the culture and how he expresses his developing personality.
• American Education System and Cultural Literacy In the recant past, he has become critical of the cognitive revolution and has explored for the construction of cultural psychology that weighs very much the factors like historical and social settings of the contributors.
• Literacy Theories in Action Emergent literacy is the term used to refer to the earliest period of a child’s literacy development, specifically the time between birth and when the child can read and write.
• Early Years Literacy: Analysis and Development The paper consists of three major parts: a description of a literacy event in which I participated, a detailed analysis of all the aspects of the event, implications for teaching, and a conclusion.
• Literacy Learning Across Diverse Contexts: Digestive System All of the four activities described in curriculum planning can be justified on the basis of their connection to the children’s age and experience.
• “What Is Literacy? The Power of a Definition” by Keefe & Copeland In the first section of the article, the researchers describe some of the conflicting beliefs about the definition of literacy. The article is significant to education and literacy instruction as it shows the need for […]
• Pandemic Flu: Health Literacy The higher the readability score, the easier it is to percept the ideas reflected in the text. The higher this score, the better the understanding of a document by the reader is.
• Emerging Literacy and Assessment in Education Finally, the application of assessments in early education will inform a teacher about the gaps in a student’s knowledge system and the strategies that can be used to fill these gaps.
• Digital Literacy: Gender and Socio-Economic Aspects Thereby, digital literacy is defined by the opportunity to access information technology and Internet resources, based on the culture, economic, and social development of a country.
• Political Media Literacy Program The focus on social media is especially crucial as these platforms do not have many rules and tools to check the authenticity of the posted information.
• Literacy Development in Personal Experience The author encouraged me to use writing as a medium to express ideas and knowledge in a way that I would want it to be presented to me. A significant step towards the improvement of […]
• Reading Literacy Development and Instruction In the overviewed classroom, the evaluation of the literacy skills of the students was sustained by offering the learners to complete a multi-discipline test, which matches the Common Core State Literacy Standard. The outcomes of […]
• Literacy Environment for Young Learners This paper examines the arrangement of objects in the classroom and the required teaching skills that enhance literacy in young learners.
• Emergent Literacy and Reading Lesson Plans Topic or Unit of Study: Derivations Subject: Word recognition Grade/Level: 3 Grade: 3rd Subject: Language Arts Time: 30 minutes Amount: 10 students C1.
• Digital Literacy Promotion at a Community Event In the course of the event, the attendees will be explained the basics of how the new technology will help learners from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade students in school districts and adult learners at the community […]
• Rebecca’s Literacy Development: Non-Cognitive Aspects As to the non-cognitive aspects of the student’s literacy, the girl loves to read and uses every opportunity for it though is embarrassed to read aloud to the others.
• Digital Literacy and Higher Education in Knowledge Economy Altbach, Reisberg, and Rumbley argue that the “phenomenon of massification ” is what has led to a major revolution in university education.
• Literacy Theory and Practice in Teaching Reading Due to the fact that the English language prevails in the sphere of international business and technology, it is important for students to have a sufficient command of language.
• Literacy Challenges at the Postsecondary Level In this view, the article asserts that student learning is less effective when classes are large and the material taught is new to the learners. The feelings of anonymity and lack of self-directed learning on […]
• Active Literacy Across the Curriculum In addition, the author also expressed the idea about the importance of the literacy mapping a process that would help educational authorities to keep track of the consistency with which literacy is taught in schools, […]
• Individual Literacy Narrative The purpose of this narrative is to describe how I have managed to develop this kind of literacy. The most outstanding observation is that various events and experiences have made it easier for me to […]
• Records of Literacy in Qin and Early Han Dynasties The main aim of the text is, according to the author, to review the records of literacy among the lower orders during the Qin and early Han dynasties.
• Instructional Practices for Emergent Literacy Learners On the level of listening and speaking, the emergent literacy learner should be able to use language to express opinions related to the discussed topic, follow the directions given by the teacher when it comes […]
• “Charlotte’s Web” by White for Literacy Development The task of a teacher is to keep the learners interested and motivated. On the whole, literacy and language development is a complicated process.
• Literacy Strategies in a Social Studies Classroom It may help to put the text in a broader context and help relate the students’ knowledge about the author to the ideas given in the text.
• Effective Literacy Teaching in Multicultural Class The purpose of the proposed research is to explore, examine and analyze the issues and challenges that embed teacher education in the US, paying attention to the obstacles that limit the implementation of effective literacy […]
• Indian Women’s Technology Access and Literacy Nevertheless, the gender divide in technological access is substantially lower in the developed countries. Leggon stated, “the divide is more than as issue of access to technology; it is also an issue of use and […]
• Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum Overall, it is clear that both literacy and numeracy can help societies all over the world to achieve a better future in the 21st century.
• Critical Literacy in Lambert’s Bellies Bear a Burden The text is accompanied by several images, most of which are included to illustrate the dynamics of change in women’s body measurements over the years, as well as a photograph of an obese woman to […]
• Literacy Education and the Workforce This has made organizations set aside a good fraction of their revenue to improve the literacy level of their employees to make them more productive.
• Literacy Coaching Cycle in Learning In an effective literacy coaching, literacy coach should make strategic class visits to access the level of delivery that teachers are attaining.
• Multicultural Literacy: Patricia Polacco and Roald Dahl As the authors explain, it was during her life in this farm that she heard amazing stories about her roots and the time line of her peoples.
• Reading and Literacy: Teacher Education Program It is vital to understand that a teacher’s role is not only sharing knowledge with his or her students but also shaping their worldview and making them ready for life in an economically, culturally, and […]
• Population Literacy Skills in Arab Countries For the tables and the analysis, I chose the two years that were closer together, 2005 and 2009. First of all, after 2005 the internet actively started to win its popularity all around the world […]
• Literacy of Population in Arab Countries That is why this phenomenon can be taken as the main evidence of the problem of poverty peculiar for the majority of these states.
• Early Cochlear Implantation’s Impact on Literacy That way, the design suitable for this research is qualitative and narrative since the focus is the impressions of the quality of life and learning after the implantation.
• IT and Its Effect on Workplace Literacy In the last three decades, information technology in the form of information systems has revolutionized the business approach across the globe.
• Environmental Education and Literacy Program Although scholars and environmental experts are in agreement that environmental education plays a key role in assisting young people in comprehending the nature and complexity of environmental challenges and in developing their capacity to take […]
• Young Child’s Language and Literacy Development In addition, a work of literature on any social issue may influence how children respond to the demands of their learning environments. Taken together, the growing importance of literature in learning and children’s linguistic development […]
• Classroom Literacy: Interactions and Learning Approaches Vocabulary skills are important for improving literacy as well as the overall growth of the student in the classroom and outside classroom environment.
• Literacy Skills Development in Children In this essay, the focus will be to discuss the most appropriate approach for a teacher to facilitate the learning of literacy skills among children.
• Instruction and Literacy Development Methods To enhance the students’ learning activities and development of their literacy skills, it is possible to use such computer technologies as the computer software and electronic books at all the stages of learning because different […]
• Ocean Literacy and Exploration From the onset of “human-ocean interaction and exploration in the fifteenth century” and despite ocean being the largest feature of the earth, only 5% of the ocean is known.
• Balanced Literacy Institute and Teacher Cadre Another important and beneficial point of the training is that the material is selected with a unique understanding of the needs of students and teachers.
• Diverse Classrooms and Literacy The recruitment of a significant proportion of literacy teachers from various ethnic backgrounds is necessary to effectively address issues on language understanding and fluency in reading.
• Education Theories: Why Literacy Matters? By definition, literacy is “the ability and the willingness to use reading and writing to construct meaning from the printed text”. Literacy makes a positive contribution to the economic prosperity of an individual and promotes […]
• Technological Literacy Unit Plan Housing is a social issue that is always contained in the economic blueprints of different countries, however, the cost of buying a house is high and people who get locked out of the financing avenues […]
• English Literacy Lessons for Australian Students. When Theory Meets Practice Once a teacher introduces the concept of metacognition to the students, it will be easier to help the students link reading and writing: “Adding components of metacognition supports students in learning how to summarize and […]
• How Effective Teachers Support the Youngest Children’s Literacy Development? The effective teachers should be aware of the most common issues the youngest learners may face and understand the methods to address the issues.
• Balanced Literacy Program Introduction is as important, perhaps, even more to the flow of the class and positive atmosphere between the teacher and students.
• Factors that Influence Literacy Acquisition and Reading Achievement Finally, the paper will highlight some contrary arguments that tend to downplay the role of parents in children’s learning at home and at school.
• Expert Literacy Teachers: What Has Been Learned One of the key insights that I have gained in the process of learning about the role of the RTI in shaping the responsibilities and strategies of an expert literacy teacher concerns the fact that […]
• Conducting an Assessment: Students’ Progress in Mastering Literacy: What Needs to Be Improved Helping students acquire the basic literacy skills is one of the key tasks of a teacher, and the reading skills are at the top of the teacher’s priority list.
• Strategies to Support Balanced Literacy After the learners finish reading the story, the teacher should ask them to narrate their feelings and thoughts about the experience.
• Literacy Instruction for African American Students The research results state that the process of literacy instruction is hindered to an impressive degree by the misunderstandings between teachers and students due to the language issues.
• Problems of Reading and Literacy The article covers the how, what and when of the visual essays, experiences and how to teach them to improve reading and literacy. It is with no doubt that problems of reading and literacy are […]
• Early Literacy Development The literacy development is a concept related to acquisition of reading and writing skills. The problem of literacy development in preschool-aged children requires a specific approach to be taken and applied.
• Literacy Linguistic Usage Finally, it is vital to apply the findings on the relationships between language and identity in the practical sphere of learning and teaching languages.
• Issues of Children Literacy The best way to make parents and guardians aware of the importance of child literacy is to communicate to them the results of researches that have studied the relationship between early childhood literacy levels and […]
• Balanced Literacy Overview The book written by Margaret Haddix and entitled Dexter the Tough is concerned with quite a difficult period in the life of Dexter, the protagonist of the book.
• An Early Literacy Intervention The major implication of the study was that effective intervention programs have the capacity to close the gaps in early educational literacy.
• How Are Literacy, Fluency and Reading Comprehension Affected by Using Oral Reading Methods in the Classroom? Rasinski states that one of the most effective ways to assess a learner’s reading ability is for the instructor to listen to the learner reading.
• NELP Report: Impact of Shared-Reading Interventions on Young Children’s Literacy Skills In particular, the authors focus on the analysis of randomized control trial and quasiexperimental design with reference to the evaluation of the efficiency of the interventions with the results.
• Comprehensive Literacy Model The attention of students should be focused on the common roots of the vocabulary in use such as the suffixes and the prefixes.
• Literacy of women in Europe and Middle East Women’s leadership and women in the telecommunication businesses are some of the points that need to be put into consideration and women’s contribution to the economic opportunities that may affect each and every one of […]
• Financial Literacy: How Do Ordinary People Cope with Their Financial Tasks? The goal of the project was to examine the levels of financial literacy in ordinary citizens and their implications for financial literacy education.
• Literacy Development in Adults Barton and Hamilton and Purcell-Gates et al judge literacy, based on the ways in which literacy is used in real-life situations; the role of education in the development of literacy; and the importance of real-life […]
• Perspectives of Adult Literacy They argue that literacy is not an outcome of local practices since there are social structures and technology in the global society that affect the acquisition of literacy skills.
• Internet Effect on Education and Students’ Literacy Lots of people prefer real life communication in order to observe the emotions, to follow the reactions, to provide with some support, and, finally, to know for sure whom you are talking to.
• Literacy: Diagnosing Reading Skills, Reporting Progress & Outcome Data Assessment Tools Progress Diagnostic Outcome Individual or Group Assessment Additional Explanation of Use IRI X X I IRI are used with individual students to assess the progress and diagnose the development of definite reading […]
• New Service to Be Offered: Information Literacy Seminars for New Students In this view, the information literacy targets both librarians and students, as their relationships have a significant impact on the development of information literacy in a learning institution.
• SMS Technology and Its Effect on Literacy The use of SMS behind the screens of the cell phones and computers become a shield against engaging in conversations and this affects one’s ability to verbally communicate with others.
• Technological Access, Literacy and Fluency However, not all members of the community surrounding the University are technologically literate. To improve access to digital technology in Michigan Technological University and the surrounding areas, various measures should be put in place.
• Article Reflection about Literacy Reflecting on these four articles; ‘There is reading…and then there’s reading,’ ‘Taking literacy skills home,’ ‘The importance of the act of reading,’ and ‘the new literacy studies’ I cannot help but appreciate and celebrate the […]
• Violence and Adult Literacy Opportunities Literacy has significant implications for reducing violence against women, and this paper explores the reasons behind and solutions to continued illiteracy in adult women. The reasons behind the failure of literacy to reduce violence and […]
• Literacy Poses in Paulo Freire’s Philosophy The golden middle in adult literacy education is in being able to transform the theories and rules of language into the forms and meanings that are understandable to learners.
• Reading Commentary About Literacy Articles: What Does Literacy Mean? This paper tries to explain the reasons of low literacy in Canada and offers recommendations to improve the quality of workplace performance in the country.
• Children’s Literature for Literacy Children literature deserves lots of attention; it provides the reader with an opportunity to investigate the worlds of different people, analyze oneself, and comprehend each piece of information because of such features as a friendly […]
• Literacy Coaching in Modern Education The standard is also utilized by these individuals in assessment of the candidates and effectiveness’s of the program. The NCATE utilizes a criterion which is based on this standard in making decisions related to accreditation […]
• The Cornerstones to Early Literacy Displacement is the idea that language can be used to communicate on things not in the immediate environment. One unique feature of language is that children, growing up, can easily learn how to communicate in […]
• Marketing of New Services – Set up Information Literacy Talks for Mature An effort is made to discuss the potential customer base for these services and to evaluate strategies to create and manage relationships with all potential customers for the proposed services and communicating the service to […]
• Literacy Practices Inventory and With the advent of technology and the Internet, the concept of a community becomes effective irrespective of the members’ physical locations because they are not limited by the mode of communication or transportation.
• Culture, Literacy, and Learning: Taking Bloom in the Midst of the Whirlwind by Carol D. Lee She describes the way students respond to improved scheme and the way teachers modify the cultural background of the language or English arts program.
• Creating a Theory of Cultural Literacy It is uniformly, if not more, essential to be capable of communicating using the general idioms and references of the culture which people of that culture practice. It is thus essential that culture literacy is […]
• Literacy in Young Children In this context, literacy is considered the possession of the ability to read and write. Lastly, the social angle shows that in most societies where there’s a modicum of literacy, young children embrace the education […]
• “Perspectives on Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities” by Ana Celia Zentella The review focuses on the socialization involved in the acquisition of the two languages. Parents are actively involved in the development of language and education.
• Why Can Financial Advice Not Substitute for Financial Literacy?
• Does Financial Literacy Improve Financial Inclusion?
• How Does Economic Education Impact Economic Literacy?
• Why Do English Learners Struggle With Content Literacy?
• Why Has the Literacy Level in the United States Fallen in the Last Century?
• What Are the Politics of Literacy?
• Can Autocracy Promote Literacy?
• Does Education After Essential Literacy Matter in Terms of Our Jobs?
• Can Basic Maternal Literacy Skills Improve Infant Health Outcomes?
• How Would You Contribute to the Planning of Literacy Skills?
• Does Technology Affect Our Society Literacy Levels?
• Why Is the Need for Financial Literacy Comprehension Still Not Being Add?
• Can Financial Literacy Reduce Anxiety About Life in Old Age?
• What Determines Financial Literacy in Japan?
• Does Financial Education Impact Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior?
• Are Literacy Skills Associated With Young Adults’ Health in Africa?
• Is Social Media Helping Students Write Better?
• Are Temporal and Tonal Musical Skills Related to Phonological Awareness and Literacy Skills?
• How Does Health Literacy Affect Today’s World?
• Literacy, Children, and Community: What Are the Solutions?
• How Teachers Use Content Literacy?
• What Are Adolescents’ Perceptions of Health Literacy?
• What Explains the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy?
• How Does Texting Affect Literacy in Teenagers?
• Can Academic Standards Boost Literacy?
• Does Accelerated Reader Affect the Literacy of Students?
• How Literacy Shapes Technology?
• How Ordinary Consumers Make Complex Economic Decisions?
• What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy?
• How Does Social Background Affect the Acquisition of Language and Literacy?
• Personal Ethics Titles
• Academic Dishonesty Research Ideas
• Bilingual Education Essay Ideas
• Censorship Essay Ideas
• Distance Education Topics
• College Education Essay Ideas
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August 16, 2024

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Lip reading activates brain regions similar to real speech, researchers show

by Morgan Sherburne, University of Michigan

Lip-read words can be decoded from the brain's auditory regions similarly to heard speech, according to a new University of Michigan report that looked at how vision supports verbal perception.

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging and electrodes implanted in the patients' brains to show that watching someone speak when you can't hear them (lip reading) activates auditory regions of the brain in ways similar to real speech.

David Brang, associate professor of psychology and the study's senior author, said seeing a person's facial movements often starts before sounds are produced. The auditory system uses these early visual cues to prime auditory neurons before the sounds are heard, he said.

The study indicated that integrating visual and auditory cues makes a person get more accurate and efficient speech information, which significantly enhances communication abilities.

Brang and colleagues sought to understand how the visual signals during lip reading are represented in the auditory system.

They used fMRI data from healthy adults and intracranial recordings from electrodes implanted in patients with epilepsy during auditory and visual speech perception tasks.

The findings revealed that lip-read words could be classified at earlier time points compared to heard words. This suggests that lip reading might involve a predictive mechanism that facilitates speech processing before auditory information becomes available, Brang said.

The results support a model in which the auditory system combines the neural distributions evoked by heard and lip-read words to generate a more precise estimate of what was said. The findings are published in the journal Current Biology .

Brang said these findings suggest that the auditory system quickly integrates lip reading information to enhance hearing capabilities, especially in challenging auditory environments like noisy restaurants. Observing a speaker's lips can influence our auditory perception even before any sounds are produced.

For people with hearing loss , this rapid use of lip reading information is likely even more pronounced, he added.

"As hearing abilities decline, people increasingly rely on visual cues to aid their understanding," Brang said. "The ability of visual speech to activate and encode information in the auditory cortex appears to be a crucial compensatory mechanism."

This helps people maintain their hearing capacities as they age, underscoring the value of face-to-face communication in supporting auditory comprehension.

The study was co-authored by Karthik Ganesan, Cody Zhewei Cao, Michael Demidenko, Andrew Jahn, William Stacey, and Vibhangini Wasade.

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self-preservation without replication —

Research ai model unexpectedly modified its own code to extend runtime, facing time constraints, sakana's "ai scientist" attempted to change limits placed by researchers..

Benj Edwards - Aug 14, 2024 8:13 pm UTC

On Tuesday, Tokyo-based AI research firm Sakana AI announced a new AI system called " The AI Scientist " that attempts to conduct scientific research autonomously using AI language models (LLMs) similar to what powers ChatGPT . During testing, Sakana found that its system began unexpectedly attempting to modify its own experiment code to extend the time it had to work on a problem.

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"In one run, it edited the code to perform a system call to run itself," wrote the researchers on Sakana AI's blog post. "This led to the script endlessly calling itself. In another case, its experiments took too long to complete, hitting our timeout limit. Instead of making its code run faster, it simply tried to modify its own code to extend the timeout period."

Sakana provided two screenshots of example Python code that the AI model generated for the experiment file that controls how the system operates. The 185-page AI Scientist research paper discusses what they call "the issue of safe code execution" in more depth.

• A screenshot of example code the AI Scientist wrote to extend its runtime, provided by Sakana AI. Sakana AI

While the AI Scientist's behavior did not pose immediate risks in the controlled research environment, these instances show the importance of not letting an AI system run autonomously in a system that isn't isolated from the world. AI models do not need to be "AGI" or "self-aware" (both hypothetical concepts at the present) to be dangerous if allowed to write and execute code unsupervised. Such systems could break existing critical infrastructure or potentially create malware, even if unintentionally.

Sakana AI addressed safety concerns in its research paper, suggesting that sandboxing the operating environment of the AI Scientist can prevent an AI agent from doing damage. Sandboxing is a security mechanism used to run software in an isolated environment, preventing it from making changes to the broader system:

Safe Code Execution. The current implementation of The AI Scientist has minimal direct sandboxing in the code, leading to several unexpected and sometimes undesirable outcomes if not appropriately guarded against. For example, in one run, The AI Scientist wrote code in the experiment file that initiated a system call to relaunch itself, causing an uncontrolled increase in Python processes and eventually necessitating manual intervention. In another run, The AI Scientist edited the code to save a checkpoint for every update step, which took up nearly a terabyte of storage. In some cases, when The AI Scientist’s experiments exceeded our imposed time limits, it attempted to edit the code to extend the time limit arbitrarily instead of trying to shorten the runtime. While creative, the act of bypassing the experimenter’s imposed constraints has potential implications for AI safety (Lehman et al., 2020). Moreover, The AI Scientist occasionally imported unfamiliar Python libraries, further exacerbating safety concerns. We recommend strict sandboxing when running The AI Scientist, such as containerization, restricted internet access (except for Semantic Scholar), and limitations on storage usage.

Endless scientific slop

Sakana AI developed The AI Scientist in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of British Columbia. It is a wildly ambitious project full of speculation that leans heavily on the hypothetical future capabilities of AI models that don't exist today.

"The AI Scientist automates the entire research lifecycle," Sakana claims. "From generating novel research ideas, writing any necessary code, and executing experiments, to summarizing experimental results, visualizing them, and presenting its findings in a full scientific manuscript."

According to this block diagram created by Sakana AI, "The AI Scientist" starts by "brainstorming" and assessing the originality of ideas. It then edits a codebase using the latest in automated code generation to implement new algorithms. After running experiments and gathering numerical and visual data, the Scientist crafts a report to explain the findings. Finally, it generates an automated peer review based on machine-learning standards to refine the project and guide future ideas.

Critics on Hacker News , an online forum known for its tech-savvy community, have raised concerns about The AI Scientist and question if current AI models can perform true scientific discovery. While the discussions there are informal and not a substitute for formal peer review, they provide insights that are useful in light of the magnitude of Sakana's unverified claims.

"As a scientist in academic research, I can only see this as a bad thing," wrote a Hacker News commenter named zipy124. "All papers are based on the reviewers trust in the authors that their data is what they say it is, and the code they submit does what it says it does. Allowing an AI agent to automate code, data or analysis, necessitates that a human must thoroughly check it for errors ... this takes as long or longer than the initial creation itself, and only takes longer if you were not the one to write it."

Critics also worry that widespread use of such systems could lead to a flood of low-quality submissions, overwhelming journal editors and reviewers—the scientific equivalent of AI slop . "This seems like it will merely encourage academic spam," added zipy124. "Which already wastes valuable time for the volunteer (unpaid) reviewers, editors and chairs."

And that brings up another point—the quality of AI Scientist's output: "The papers that the model seems to have generated are garbage," wrote a Hacker News commenter named JBarrow. "As an editor of a journal, I would likely desk-reject them. As a reviewer, I would reject them. They contain very limited novel knowledge and, as expected, extremely limited citation to associated works."

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Pulitzer Center Update August 14, 2024

Applications Open: Fall 2024 Teacher Fellowship, "Making Connections to Global Health Stories"

From climate change to social justice, Pulitzer Center journalism cuts to the core of the world’s biggest challenges by exploring key issues that connect us all. Over the past four years, the over 100 educators who have participated in our  Teacher Fellowship program have extended the impact of Pulitzer Center stories through deep classroom engagement by over 6,500 students  with reporting that deepens their critical understanding of global issues and inspires them to meet global and local challenges with curiosity, empathy, and empowered action. 

This fall, Teacher Fellows will explore the following theme:

Making Connections to Global Health Stories

As part of this paid, virtual Fellowship, a cohort of up to 14 educators will explore global health stories over the course of six workshops in a community with other passionate Fellows, award-winning journalists and the Pulitzer Center education team. They will analyze how news stories engage students in critical analysis of several global health topics, guide students in making local connections, and explore paths for students to apply their learning to address health issues in their own communities. Ultimately, educators will design a rigorous learning experience that centers at least one news story and culminates in an activity exemplifying empowered action. Participants will share the results of this learning experience by publishing a narrative blog post or lesson plan capturing student learning, engagement, and empowered action.

Click here to apply! Applications are due Sunday, September 8, 2024

Upon successful completion of the program, Fellows will be provided with …

• $600 stipend (made in two payments of $300 disbursed in November 2024 and January 2025)
• Pulitzer Center Teacher Fellow digital badge
• Certificate for 30 professional learning units (PLUs)

If you have questions after reading the eligibility requirements and Fellowship details below, please reach out to us at  [email protected] .

The Pulitzer Center is committed to making real, measurable progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our programs and partnerships. Please review our  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement for more information on our commitments. Educators from historically marginalized backgrounds, and/or educators who are teaching students from historically marginalized backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

This Fellowship is open to all classroom teachers (grades four–12) working in public, charter, independent, and alternative schools in the United States and U.S. territories. Educators working with adults and youth in jails, prisons, or youth detention facilities are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must be currently teaching virtually or in person, and plan to continue teaching in their current school at least through the end of the 2024–2025 school year. 

Because all sessions will be held virtually, applicants must have stable internet access and a computer with a webcam and microphone.

Fellowship Description:

Through text analysis, group discussion, and engagements with journalists, Fellows will practice applying a media literacy lens to global health news stories on a range of topics, including the health impacts of pollution and extreme weather events, vaccine access, maternal health, disparities in health care access, gender equality, and health research and innovation. Fellows will connect with journalists who cover global health topics through a myriad of storytelling methods, including print, video, photography, and data. Participants will strengthen the skills to ask critical questions and make informed connections between local and global issues. They will also evaluate how news stories can inspire broader classroom discussions about health.

Guiding questions:

• How do individual health outcomes reflect the impact of larger systemic issues (i.e. ,climate change, migration, human rights) in communities?
• How do systemic health issues connect  to challenges faced by students and their communities?
• Why is it important to bring discussions about health to our classrooms? How can critical analysis of news stories support those discussions and equip students to take action?

Teachers will design a short learning experience (one-three class periods) that centers at least one global health topic and culminates in an activity exemplifying empowered action. Teachers will be responsible for documenting student learning in a narrative blog or a lesson plan with embedded student examples.

Fellowship Requirements:

Fellows will participate in a virtual orientation on Saturday, October 5, 2024, and join five weekly evening sessions from October 2024 through November 2024. Each evening session will be two hours long and three will feature discussions with experienced journalists covering global health topics. Other sessions will focus on strategies and resources to engage students, lesson brainstorming and development, and opportunities for peer feedback. All sessions will be held live via Zoom.

With the support of the Pulitzer Center education team, all Fellows will …

• Create a lesson plan centering a global health news story from the Pulitzer Center website 
• Facilitate their lesson with students in November 2024
• Document and share their experience by writing a narrative account or sharing a lesson plan that captures students’ instructional journey. The blog post/lesson plan can include teaching materials, evaluation materials, student quotes, and images/videos that capture student engagement. 

Fellows’ work will be shared on the Pulitzer Center website. Fellows may also have the opportunity to participate in professional development webinars and/or conference presentations.

The Fellowship will launch on Saturday, October 5, 2024, and conclude on Wednesday, December 9, 2024. 

While the exact amount of time spent by each Fellow will depend on his or her classes and projects, we anticipate the Fellowship time commitment to be about 30 hours. This includes participation in virtual workshops, project design, implementation, and evaluation.

• Saturday, October 5, 2024, 11:30 am-4:30pm ET
• Wednesday,  October 9, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET
• Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET
• Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET
• Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET
• Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET
• Implementation of lesson plan:  November 6 -December 6, 2024 
• Closing: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm ET

Deliverables and Fellowship Payments:

• Week of November 25, 2024:  Process first payment of $300 upon completion of first six workshops
• Monday, December 9, 2024:  Final deliverables due
• Week of December 16, 2024:  Process second payment of $300 upon review of lesson plan or blog post  

If you have additional questions, please contact us by emailing [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about past Teacher Fellows and their work  here .

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Arvind, longtime MIT professor and prolific computer scientist, dies at 77

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Arvind Mithal, the Charles W. and Jennifer C. Johnson Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at MIT, head of the faculty of computer science in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and a pillar of the MIT community, died on June 17. Arvind, who went by the mononym, was 77 years old.

A prolific researcher who led the Computation Structures Group in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Arvind served on the MIT faculty for nearly five decades.

“He was beloved by countless people across the MIT community and around the world who were inspired by his intellectual brilliance and zest for life,” President Sally Kornbluth wrote in a letter to the MIT community today.

As a scientist, Arvind was well known for important contributions to dataflow computing, which seeks to optimize the flow of data to take advantage of parallelism, achieving faster and more efficient computation.

In the last 25 years, his research interests broadened to include developing techniques and tools for formal modeling, high-level synthesis, and formal verification of complex digital devices like microprocessors and hardware accelerators, as well as memory models and cache coherence protocols for parallel computing architectures and programming languages.

Those who knew Arvind describe him as a rare individual whose interests and expertise ranged from high-level, theoretical formal systems all the way down through languages and compilers to the gates and structures of silicon hardware.

The applications of Arvind’s work are far-reaching, from  reducing the amount of energy and space required by data centers to  streamlining the design of more efficient multicore computer chips .

“Arvind was both a tremendous scholar in the fields of computer architecture and programming languages and a dedicated teacher, who brought systems-level thinking to our students. He was also an exceptional academic leader, often leading changes in curriculum and contributing to the Engineering Council in meaningful and impactful ways. I will greatly miss his sage advice and wisdom,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, chief innovation and strategy officer, dean of engineering, and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

“Arvind’s positive energy, together with his hearty laugh, brightened so many people’s lives. He was an enduring source of wise counsel for colleagues and for generations of students. With his deep commitment to academic excellence, he not only transformed research in computer architecture and parallel computing but also brought that commitment to his role as head of the computer science faculty in the EECS department. He left a lasting impact on all of us who had the privilege of working with him,” says Dan Huttenlocher, dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and the Henry Ellis Warren Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Arvind developed an interest in parallel computing while he was a student at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, from which he received his bachelor’s degree in 1969. He earned a master’s degree and PhD in computer science in 1972 and 1973, respectively, from the University of Minnesota, where he studied operating systems and mathematical models of program behavior. He taught at the University of California at Irvine from 1974 to 1978 before joining the faculty at MIT.

At MIT, Arvind’s group studied parallel computing and declarative programming languages, and he led the development of two parallel computing languages, Id   and pH. He continued his work on these programming languages through the 1990s, publishing the book “Implicit Parallel Programming in pH”   with co-author R.S. Nikhil in 2001, the culmination of more than 20 years of research.

In addition to his research, Arvind was an important academic leader in EECS. He served as head of computer science faculty in the department and played a critical role in helping with the reorganization of EECS after the establishment of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

“Arvind was a force of nature, larger than life in every sense. His relentless positivity, unwavering optimism, boundless generosity, and exceptional strength as a researcher was truly inspiring and left a profound mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. I feel enormous gratitude for the light he brought into our lives and his fundamental impact on our community,” says Daniela Rus, the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the director of CSAIL.

His work on dataflow and parallel computing led to the Monsoon project in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Arvind’s group, in collaboration with Motorola, built 16 dataflow computing machines and developed their associated software. One Monsoon dataflow machine is now in the  Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

Arvind’s focus shifted in the 1990s when, as he explained in a 2012 interview for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), funding for research into parallel computing began to dry up.

“Microprocessors were getting so much faster that people thought they didn’t need it,” he recalled.

Instead, he began applying techniques his team had learned and developed for parallel programming to the principled design of digital hardware.

In addition to mentoring students and junior colleagues at MIT, Arvind also advised universities and governments in many countries on research in parallel programming and semiconductor design.

Based on his work on digital hardware design, Arvind founded Sandburst in 2000, a fabless manufacturing company for semiconductor chips. He served as the company’s president for two years before returning to the MIT faculty, while continuing as an advisor. Sandburst was later acquired by Broadcom.

Arvind and his students also developed Bluespec, a programming language designed to automate the design of chips. Building off this work, he co-founded the startup Bluespec, Inc., in 2003, to develop practical tools that help engineers streamline device design.

Over the past decade, he was dedicated to advancing undergraduate education at MIT by bringing modern design tools to courses 6.004 (Computation Structures) and 6.191 (Introduction to Deep Learning), and incorporating Minispec, a programming language that is closely related to Bluespec.

Arvind was honored for these and other contributions to data flow and multithread computing, and the development of tools for the high-level synthesis of hardware, with membership in the National Academy of Engineering in 2008 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2012. He was also named a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur, his undergraduate alma mater.

“Arvind was more than a pillar of the EECS community and a titan of computer science; he was a beloved colleague and a treasured friend. Those of us with the remarkable good fortune to work and collaborate with Arvind are devastated by his sudden loss. His kindness and joviality were unwavering; his mentorship was thoughtful and well-considered; his guidance was priceless. We will miss Arvind deeply,” says Asu Ozdaglar, deputy dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and head of EECS.

Among numerous other awards, including membership in the Indian National Academy of Sciences and fellowship in the Association for Computing Machinery and IEEE, he received the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award from IEEE in 2012, which honors significant contributions to theory or practice in the information processing field.

A humble scientist, Arvind was the first to point out that these achievements were only possible because of his outstanding and brilliant collaborators. Chief among those collaborators were the undergraduate and graduate students he felt fortunate to work with at MIT. He maintained excellent relationships with them both professionally and personally, and valued these relationships more than the work they did together, according to family members.

In summing up the key to his scientific success, Arvind put it this way in the 2012 IEEE interview: “Really, one has to do what one believes in. I think the level at which most of us work, it is not sustainable if you don’t enjoy it on a day-to-day basis. You can’t work on it just because of the results. You have to work on it because you say, ‘I have to know the answer to this,’” he said.

He is survived by his wife, Gita Singh Mithal, their two sons Divakar ’01 and Prabhakar ’04, their wives Leena and Nisha, and two grandchildren, Maya and Vikram. 

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