A Deeper Understanding of the Relationship Between Content Knowledge and Comprehension

• In Event: Comprehension and Inferencing

Abstract

We examined the relation between content knowledge and comprehension (reading and listening) using correlational and causal data. Correlational data showed content knowledge moderately related to comprehension (r = .41). Causal data indicated content knowledge instruction improved content knowledge (g = 1.36) and reading comprehension (g = .43), but not listening comprehension (g = .14). Importantly, results differed by assessment, instruction, and study quality characteristics.

Authors

• Young-Suk Kim, University of California Irvine

• Yucheng Cao, Middle Tennessee State University