Current research on readability in Malay Language

Dr. Dahlia Janan

Research title:Matching text to reader: exploring a new model of readability for Malay language

texts

Funded by: Research Acculturation Grants (RAGS)

MOHE

Aims of research

• To explore the concept of readability and its usefulness for writers of Malay language school texts, and teachers using these texts

• To test the relevance of a new model of readability, first developed in an English language context

Aims of research

• To highlight features of Malay language texts which contribute to the readability and/or comprehensibility of these texts for their intended readers

• To explore the effects on readers’ interactions with a range of Malay language texts of various reader characteristics, e.g. gender, background knowledge, etc.

Methods

• This research will use mixed method data collection methods. Quantitative data will be collected through the measuring of the readability indices and the analysis of the text features of the texts involved in the research. Qualitative data will be collected using the miscue analysis and retelling and interview procedures involving a sample of primary-aged readers.

• 15 girls and 15 boys of primary school age will be involved in this study. They will represent a range of urban and rural schools and different social economic backgrounds.

• These participants will be ask to read two sets of reading material, one chosen by them and the other chosen by their teachers.

• The Yunus (1982) and Abdul (1991) formulae will be used to measure the readability index of the reading materials the pupils read.

• The data analyses will involve the comparison of the participants’ reading level while reading the text that they chose and the texts that teachers chose. Apart from that this research also aims to gather data about the differences or similarities of the text features of both these texts.

Data Collection ProceduresData Collection Procedures

Reading Event OneReading Event One Reading Event TwoReading Event Two

Step 2

Miscue Analysis

Step 2

Miscue Analysis

Step 1

Text selected by the participants;

Individual readability index

Step 1

Text selected by the participants;

Individual readability index

Step 3

Retelling

Step 3

Retelling

Step 1

Text selected by the teacher;

Step 1

Text selected by the teacher;

Step 2

Miscue Analysis

Step 2

Miscue Analysis

Step 3

Retelling

Step 3

Retelling

Step 4

Interview

Step 4

InterviewStep 4

Interview

Step 4

Interview

Step 5

Text Feature Analysis

Step 5

Text Feature Analysis

Step 5

Text Feature Analysis

Step 5

Text Feature Analysis