The Impact of Reading Self-Efficacy and Task Value on Reading Comprehension Scores in Different Item Formats

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that students with low self-efficacy will struggle with complex reading tasks in assessment situations. In this study we examined whether perceived reading self-efficacy and reading task value uniquely predicted reading comprehension scores in two different item formats in a sample of fifth-grade students. Results showed that, after controlling for variance associated with word reading ability, listening comprehension, and nonverbal ability through hierarchical multiple regression analysis, reading self-efficacy was a significant positive predictor of reading comprehension scores. For students with low self-efficacy in reading, reading self-efficacy was a significant positive predictor of multiple-choice comprehension scores but not of constructed-response comprehension scores. For students with high self-efficacy in reading, reading self-efficacy did not account for additional variance in either item format. The implication that the multiple-choice format magnifies the impact of self-efficacy in assessments of reading comprehension is discussed.

Notes

1. In all the analyses there were only small differences in variance associated with word reading, listening comprehension, and nonverbal ability from step 1 to step 2. The β values given for these variables in the text refer to step 1.