On the Measurement of Reading Habits: An Adaption of the Self-Report Habit Index

• In Event: The Impact of Students’ Characteristics and Motivation on Literacy Competencies

Abstract

Reading habit is an important mediator between habitual reading motivation and reading literacy. In recent research, habit has often been measured only as behavioral frequency which ignores the fact that repeated behavior is not necessarily habitual behavior. The aim of this study was to develop a scale to measure reading habit which reflects all aspects of the habit construct. In accordance, a 10-item scale was developed on the basis of the Self-Report Habit Index. For a sample of 1418 11th grade students, the scale showed good psychometric properties and internal reliabilities. The internal structure was equal across genders and the connections to external constructs were as expected. The implications of a more elaborate way of measuring reading habits are discussed.

Authors

• Fabian T. C. Schmidt, Leibniz Institute

• Jan Retelsdorf, IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education