Handbook of Research on Reading Comprehension

The Handbook of Research on Reading Comprehension assembles researchers of reading comprehension, literacy, educational psychology, psychology, and neuroscience to document the most recent research on the topic. It summarizes the current body of research on theory, methods, instruction, and assessment, including coverage of landmark studies. Designed to deepen understanding of how past research can be applied and has influenced the present and to stimulate new thinking about reading comprehension, the volume is organized around seven themes:



historical perspectives on reading comprehension


theoretical perspectives


changing views of text


elements of reading comprehension


assessing and teaching reading comprehension


cultural impact on reading comprehension


where to from here?


This is an essential reference volume for the international community of reading researchers, reading psychologists, graduate students, and professionals working in the area of reading and literacy.

Susan E. Israel
Author and Literacy Consultant
Gerald G. Duffy
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

Part 1. Historical Perspectives on Reading Comprehension. P.D. Pearson, How We Got to Where We Are: A Historical Perspective on Reading Comprehension Research. S.G. Paris, E.E. Hamilton, The Development of Children’s Reading Comprehension. J. Hoffman, In Search of a "Simple View" of Reading Comprehension. Part 2. Theoretical Perspectives. P. Afflerbach, B.Y. Cho, Identifying and Describing Constructively Responsive Comprehension Strategies in New and Traditional Forms of Reading. K.S. Goodman, Y.M. Goodman, Helping Readers Make Sense of Print – A Whole Language Pedagogy. K.B. Cartwright, The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Reading Comprehension: Past, Present and Future. J. Gavelek, P. Bresnahan, Ways of Meaning Making: Sociocultural Perspectives on Reading Comprehension. J. Damico, G. Campano, J. Harste, Transactional Theory and Reading Comprehension. G. Hruby, Grounding for Reading Comprehension Theory From Neuroscience Literatures. Part 3. Changing Views of Text. E. Fox, P.A. Alexander, Text Comprehension: A Retrospective, Perspective, and Prospective. C. Shanahan, Disciplinary Comprehension. R. Tierney, The Agency and Artistry of Meaning Making Within and Across Digital Spaces. M.L. Kamil, H.K. Chou, Comprehension and Technology. Part 4. Elements of Reading Comprehension. S. Miller, B. Faircloth, Motivation and Reading Comprehension. J.F. Baumann, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. J.A. Dole, J. Nokes, D. Drits, Cognitive Strategy Instruction: Past and Future. L. Baker, L.C. Beall, Metacognitive Processes and Reading Comprehension. D.D. Massey, Self-regulated Comprehension Assessment. Part 5. Assessing and Teaching Reading Comprehension. L. Leslie, J. Caldwell, Formal and Informal Measures of Reading Comprehension. K.A. Dougherty Stahl, Assessing Comprehension of Young Children. T.E. Raphael, C.M. Weber, M. George, A.R. Nies, Approaches to Teaching Reading Comprehension. J.F. Almasi, K. Garas-York, Comprehension and Discussion of Text. C. Collins Block, J. Lacina, Comprehension Instruction in K-3. Developing Higher Order Comprehension in the Middle Grades. M.W. Conley, Improving Adolescent Comprehension: Developing Learning Strategies in Content Areas. R.L. Allington, A. McGill-Franzen, Comprehension Difficulties Among Struggling Readers. Part 6. Cultural Impact of Reading Comprehension. C. Fairbanks, J. Cooper, L. Masteson, S. Webb, Culturally Responsive Instruction and the Impact on Reading, Comprehension. K. Prater, English Language Learners and Reading Comprehension. P.A. Edwards, J.D. Turner, Family Literacy and Reading Comprehension. K. Au, J. Kaomea, Reading Comprehension and Diversity in Historical Perspective: Literacy Power, and Native Hawaiians. Part 7.Where to Live from Here? M. Sailors, Teacher Education and Reading Comprehension. C. Roller, Public Policy and the Future of Reading Comprehension Research. G.G. Duffy, S.E. Israe, What Does It All Mean?