Evaluating the Reading Comprehension of Emilio Aguinaldo Criminology Freshmen and its

Impact in Academic Learning

Members:

Madlangbayan Marlou

Servidad Clarence

Notado Edzel

Enriquez Alexandre

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Reading comprehension is a critical skill that serves as the cornerstone of academic

success and lifelong learning. It involves the ability to understand, interpret, and synthesize

information from written texts. Proficient reading comprehension is not only fundamental for

academic achievement but also essential for effective communication, critical thinking, and

information retention. For this study, the researchers aim to discover the extent of the 1st year

Criminology students Reading comprehension and determine how this can affect their academic

learning. According to Mariecarrier. (2023), Reading comprehension is essential for language

and literature, as well as developing a student’s critical thinking and memory skills, focus and

their ability to solve problems — all necessary for every kind of student or professional. By

conducting a study on the students Reading comprehension, the researchers may use the results

gained to assess how their comprehension level correlates with their academic performance.

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Reading comprehension is a foundational skill for academic achievement and cognitive

development among students. It involves the ability to understand, interpret, and apply

information from written texts across various subjects. Proficient reading comprehension is not

only integral for success in formal education but also for fostering critical thinking, effective

communication, and lifelong learning. It plays a significant role in the total functioning of our

community. A person may know how to read certain words, but comprehension is something that

is developed, practiced, learned, and experienced over time. One can read terms like “dog,”

“banana,” or “walk,” simple words with known meanings but, Reading Comprehension is way

more profound than that. It is the ability to define word by word and create a profound idea from

the talks given or read(K12 Reader, 2018). Moreover, reading comprehension also includes the

ability of a person to translate the essence of the sentences using his own words. This also

consists of applying the text read in one’s life. One aspect of reading comprehension is when a

person articulates some of his life experiences and relates them to the text written. It is a sign that

a person truly comprehend because some personal emotions are attached to it (Wilhelm, 2018).

Statement of the Problem

This research aims to investigate these identified problems to advance our understanding

of reading comprehension.

1. How the degree of Reading comprehension affects academic learning.

2. To determine what factors may hinder the growth of Reading comprehension.

3. How Reading comprehension can be utilized in the daily life of the Students.

4. How Cultural and Language barriers obstruct the development of Reading

comprehension.

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Scope and Limitations

This study aims to assess the reading comprehension skills of freshmen criminology

students in Emilio Aguinaldo College. Background, language skills, and study habits will be

identified as characteristics that may influence reading comprehension. With the study's limited

scope and time frame, the research findings will be particular to Emilio Aguinaldo College and

may not be relevant to other communities or institutions. The availability of participants may

limit the sample size, and response bias or mistakes in self-reported data are likely. The study

will only look into reading comprehension levels and will not administer any specific

comprehension tests. The study will give vital information into the present reading

comprehension skills of Emilio Aguinaldo College's criminology freshmen students. The scope

that the study aims to discover involves the critical thinking, vocabulary development,

knowledge acquisition, and textual understanding of the criminology freshmen. This study hopes

to measure the freshmen’s critical thinking by assessing their ability to analyze, evaluate, and

synthesize information. Vocabulary development will be measured with the use of surveys with

uncommon day to day words, while knowledge acquisition can be measured using the same

surveys that will focus on how the freshmen retain the information they are given. By assessing

these factors, the researchers can gauge the freshmen’s overall comprehension skill and use the

information gained to determine factors that hinder or improve the student’s capacity for

academic excellence.

Significance of the Study

This study on the reading comprehension levels of Criminology students at Emilio

Aguinaldo College is crucial for understanding their academic preparedness. Examining these

levels can illuminate potential areas of improvement, aiding educators in developing targeted

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strategies to enhance students' comprehension skills and academic success. Below are the listed

significance of this study:

Educators and Administrators. Insights from this study can guide curriculum development and

teaching strategies to improve reading comprehension among Criminology students at Emilio

Aguinaldo College.

Students. Understanding their reading comprehension levels helps students identify areas for

improvement, enabling them to actively engage in their learning and academic success

Researchers in Education. This study contributes valuable data to the broader field of

education, providing a specific focus on reading comprehension within the context of

Criminology programs.

Institutional Policy Makers. Findings may inform policies related to academic support services

and interventions tailored to enhance reading comprehension skills, ultimately benefiting the

overall educational environment.

Future Researchers. This study serves as a foundation for subsequent research endeavors,

offering a benchmark for exploring reading comprehension levels in other academic disciplines

or institutions.

Criminology Program Developers. Those involved in designing Criminology programs can

utilize the findings to align curriculum content with students' reading comprehension needs,

ensuring program effectiveness.

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Government Educational Bodies. Insights may influence broader educational policies and

initiatives aimed at improving reading comprehension skills among students pursuing

Criminology and related fields.

Employers in Criminal Justice Fields. Understanding the reading comprehension levels of

Criminology graduates can inform employers about potential communication skills gaps,

allowing them to tailor training programs accordingly.

Parents and Guardians. Awareness of students' reading comprehension levels can empower

parents and guardians to provide targeted support, fostering academic success in Criminology

programs.

Professional Development Providers. Organizations offering professional development for

educators can utilize this study's insights to tailor training programs focused on enhancing

instructional methods for improved reading comprehension outcomes.

Hypothesis/Assumption of the study

The assumption that the correlation between targeted reading interventions and improved

reading comprehension levels is not only statistically significant but also translates into a

meaningful and satisfying enhancement of students' overall academic performance and

understanding of criminological concepts. The study assumes that a correlation exists between

the frequency and variety of reading habits and the development of reading comprehension skills

among criminology freshmen students.

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Hypothesis: Implementation of a personalized reading plan tailored to individual learning styles

will lead to a more significant improvement in the reading comprehension levels of criminology

freshmen at Emilio Aguinaldo College compared to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Assumptions:

1. Individual Learning Styles: Assuming that students have diverse learning styles,

and adapting reading materials and strategies to match these styles will enhance

their comprehension and retention.

2. Continuous Assessment Hypothesis: Expecting that regular assessments and

feedback on reading assignments contribute to sustained improvement in reading

comprehension throughout the academic term.

3. Intrinsic Motivation Assumption: Assuming that cultivating intrinsic

motivation through the selection of criminological texts aligned with students'

interests fosters a more positive attitude towards reading, thereby improving

comprehension levels.

4. Digital Literacy Hypothesis: Hypothesizing that integrating digital literacy

components into reading assignments, such as analyzing online articles and

multimedia, enhances criminology freshmen's ability to comprehend and critically

evaluate a variety of sources.

Definition of Terms

1. Likert Scale

2. Reading Comprehension

3. Academic Performance

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4.