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Testing the validity of a self-report scale, author recognition test, and book counting as measures of lifetime exposure to print fiction

Wimmer, Lena Franziska, Ferguson, Heather J. (2023) Testing the validity of a self-report scale, author recognition test, and book counting as measures of lifetime exposure to print fiction. Behavior Research Methods, 55 (1). pp. 103-134. ISSN 1554-351X. (doi:10.3758/s13428-021-01784-2) (KAR id:93240)

Abstract

We report a study testing the validity of the three most commonly-used indicators of lifetime exposure to print fiction, namely a self-report scale, an author recognition test (ART), and book counting, in a sample of older adults (N=306; Mage = 59.29 years, SDage = 7.01). Convergent validity of the self-report scale and book counting was assessed through correlations with the fiction sub-score of the ART; divergent validity of these two indicators was examined via correlations with the non-fiction sub-score of that ART. We also assessed criterion-related validity by testing the degree to which each of the three indicators predicted participants’ performance in a vocabulary test. The self-report scale and book counting were significantly more positively associated with the ART fiction sub-score compared to the ART non-fiction sub-score. Regression analyses, controlling for gender and non-fiction exposure, revealed that the ART fiction sub-score had the highest explanatory power among all indicators under investigation for predicting vocabulary test performance. The present results suggest that only ARTs may have satisfactory levels of both construct and criterion-related validity. Recommendations for the assessment of fiction exposure and future directions are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3758/s13428-021-01784-2
Additional information: For the purpose of open access, the author(s) has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising.
Uncontrolled keywords: fiction, print exposure, reading habits, author recognition test, home literacy
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Funders: Leverhulme Trust (https://ror.org/012mzw131)
Depositing User: Heather Ferguson
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2022 20:33 UTC
Last Modified: 12 Dec 2023 12:31 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/93240 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Wimmer, Lena Franziska.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8434-1766
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Ferguson, Heather J..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1575-4820
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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