Utilizing fNIRS and Think-Aloud Protocols to Identify Neurobiological Markers of Strategy Use During Reading

• In Event: Motivational Constructs in Reading

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is concurrent validity evidence for two measures of strategic processing – functional near infrared spectroscopy and verbal protocols of reading strategies. The aims of the study were to determine if there were convergent or divergent patterns of hemoglobin response (from the fNIRS) data for reported strategies that were identified as similar and different from the coded verbal protocols. Five right-handed participants’ data were analyzed using both coded verbal-protocol reports and heat maps from the fNIRS data. Results indicated that for simple strategies there were clearer distinctions between strategies within and across participants. While some patterns emerged for more complex strategies, these were more difficult to discern.

Authors

• Daniel Dinsmore, University of North Florida

• Jesse Macyczko, University of North Florida

• Sabrina Greene