Investigating the Role of Test Methods in Testing Reading Comprehension

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