INVESTIGATION ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN READING DIFFICULTIES AND ONLINE READING STRATEGIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2026.9.1.791Abstract
Abstract: Digital technology nowadays has transformed the access to engage with reading materials. The ability to navigate online reading effectively has become essential particularly in academics. However, students face distinct challenges through online reading that differs from traditional print reading method. This study aims to explore students’ perceptions of online reading strategies and the relationship between reading difficulties in Arabic language. A quantitative research method was used to retrieve data from a total of two hundred (200) respondents who were selected through a purposive sampling method from a public university in Malaysia. Using an online 5 Likert-scale survey, the survey consists of five (5) sections: Demographic, reading difficulties and three reading strategies (global strategies, problem-solving and social support strategies) with a total of forty eight (48) items. The results revealed that there is no relationship between reading difficulties and online reading strategies. These findings indicate different outcomes from the other research which implicate the study area for Arabic language in reading difficulties and online reading strategies that need further investigation. Furthermore, the study suggests the importance of considering additional variables such as, self-regulated learning, motivation, and technological competence in understanding students’ online reading behavior. Future research is recommended to employ mixed-method and longitudinal approaches to better understand the development and application of online strategies among students over time in foreign language contexts.
Keywords: Online Reading Strategies; Reading Difficulties; Global Strategies; Problem Solving Strategies; Support Strategies; Arabic Language.
References
Abbas, K. D. A. (2021). Factors Influencing Students' Reading Comprehension Difficulties Amidst the Use of Modular Distance Learning Approach in Mindanao State University Sulu –Senior High School. Open Access Indonesia Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2).
Abd Rahman, M., & Mohamad, M. (2023). Extensive Reading to Assuage Primary ESL Learners Reading Difficulties: A Systematic Review. Sciences, 13(8), 513-528.
Abeeleh, T. W. A. and Al-Sobh, M. (2021) Reading Comprehension Problems Encountered by EFL Students at Aljoun National University. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 8(1), 6-15.
Aebersold, J. A., & Field, M. L. 1997). From reader to reading teacher: Issues and strategy for second language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Afflerbach, P., & Cho, B. Y. (2010). Determining and describing reading strategies: Internet and traditional forms of reading. In H. S. Waters & W. Schneider (Eds.), Metacognition, strategy use, and instruction (pp. 201–225).
Al-Jarf, R. (2007). Developing reading and literacy in Saudi Arabia. ERIC.
Al-Jarrah, H., & Ismail, N. S. B. (2018). Reading Comprehension Difficulties Among EFL Learners in Higher Learning Institutions. International Journal of English Linguistics, 8(7), 32.
Al-Zu’bi, M. A. (2024). Difficulties and Solutions of Reading English Facing Freshmen Students at Al-Balqa Applied University. International Journal of Religion, 5(10), 4977–4983.
Amer, A., AL Barwani, T., Ibrahim, M. (2010) Student Teachers’ Perceived Use of Online Reading Strategies. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), Vol 6(4), pp 102-113.
Anderson, T. (2003). Getting the Mix Right Again: An Updated and Theoretical Rationale for Interaction. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 4(2).
Bae, S. (2022). Translation strategies in second language acquisition: A study of learners’ strategies in reading comprehension. Journal of Second Language Teaching & Research, 45(2), 185-199.
Baker, L., Dwyer, A., & DeSantis, M. (2021). Active engagement in online reading: The role of digital tools and strategies in enhancing comprehension. Reading and Writing, 34(6), 1179–1198.
Behalova, A. (2010). Exploring online reading strategies of American undergraduate students. Ph.D. thesis, Oklahoma State University.
Dillah, D., Abd Hamid, N. B., Freni Afrin, J., Subramaniam, N., & Rahmat, N. H. (2023). Exploring Reading Difficulties and Online Reading Strategies Employed by Pre-University English as A Second Language (ESL) Learners. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(10).
Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of Learning for Instruction, Pearson, Boston.
Gedik, O., & Akyol, H. (2022). Reading Difficulty and Development of Fluent Reading Skills: An Action Research. International Journal of Progressive Education, 18(1), 22-41.
Grabe, W., & Stoller, F. L. (2011). Teaching and researching reading (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
Habok, A., Oo, T. Z., & Magyar, A. (2024). The effect of reading strategy use on online reading comprehension. Heliyon, 10(2).
Hew, K. F., & Brush, T. (2007). Integrating technology into K-12 education: Current trends and future directions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 55(3), 223-252.
Hsieh, P. H. & Dwyer, F. (2009). The instructional effect of online reading strategies and learning styles on student academic achievement. Educational Technology & Society, 12(2), 36–5.
Huang H.C. (2013). Online reading strategies at work: what teachers think and what students do, ReCALL, 25(3). 340–358.
Huang, H.C., Chern, C.L., & Lin, C.C. (2009). EFL learners’ use of online reading strategies and comprehension of texts: An exploratory study. Computers and Education, 52(1), 13–26.
Jackson, S.L. (2015) Research methods and Statistics-A Critical Thinking Approach (5tH Edition) Boston, USA: Cengage Learning.
Jala, G. (2020). Pupils’ Reading Comprehension, Problem-Solving Skills, and Academic Performance. Journal of World English and Educational Practices, 2(4).
Khaobaht, L., & Hamiddin, D. N. M. (2024). Uncovering Language Learning Factors in Reading Difficulties: A Case Study of Thai Students in Indonesia. Jurnal Penelitian, Pendidikan, dan Pembelajaran, 19(17).
Kim, U. J. & Kim, J. R. (2022). Success Factors of Extensive Online-Based Elementary English Reading. Journal of Elementary English Education, 28(4), 79-101.
Koda, K. (2007). Reading and Language Learning: Crosslinguistic Constraints on Second Language Reading Development. Language Learning, 57(S1), 1-44.
Kuo, L. J., Lin, S. S., & Yang, J. C. (2021). Active reading strategies and their impact on comprehension in digital environments. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 97–113.
Li, J. (2020). Development and validation of Second Language Online Reading Strategies Inventory. Computers and Education, 145, 103733.
Li, J., & Zhang, X. (2022). Investigating the relationship between online reading strategies and comprehension challenges in EFL learners. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 18(2), 56–72.
Li, Z., & Zhao, M. (2021). Lexical knowledge and self-confidence in second language learners: An empirical study of Chinese learners of English. Language Learning Journal, 50(1), 99-111.
Marboot, K., Roohani, A., & Mirzaei, A. (2020). Investigating Iranian EFL Students’ Metacognitive Online Reading Strategies, Critical Thinking, and their Relationship: A Mixed-Methods Study. Issues In Language Teaching (ILT), 9(1), 151–182.
Martin, L., Albright, K., & Kersey, A. (2021). Metacognitive control in reading comprehension: A study of online reading strategies. Journal of Literacy Research, 53(4), 575–590.
Meganathan, P., Yap, N.T., Paramasivam, S., & Jalaluddin, I. (2019). Incidental and Intentional Learning of Vocabulary among Young ESL Learners. 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies.
Mokhtari, K., & Reichard, C. A. (2002). The impact of traditional and digital annotation techniques on online reading comprehension. Reading Research Quarterly, 37(3), 342–356.
Mukhlif, Z., & Amir, Z. (2017). Investigating the Metacognitive Online Reading Strategies employed by Iraqi EFL Undergraduate Students. Arab World English Journal, 8(1), 372–385.
Norman, A. (2023). Educational technology for reading instruction in developing countries: A systematic literature review. Review of Education, 11(3), e3423.
Nur’Ain Mohsin, N., Rahim, M., Bidin, A., Johari, M. B., & Rahmat, N. H. (2023). A study of perceived reading difficulties and reading strategies: The case for online reading. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(5), 2732-2748.
Par, L. (2020). The Relationship between Reading Strategies and Reading Achievement of the EFL Students. International Journal of Instruction, 13(2), 223-238.
Rahmat, S. N. M., Hassan, M. H., & Shamsuddin, S. (2021). The relationship between reading difficulties and reading strategies among students. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 11(1), 1-12.
Rahmat, N. H., Sukimin, I. S. ., Sim, M. S. ., Anuar, M. ., & Mohandas, E. S. (2021). Online Learning Motivation and Satisfaction: A Case Study of Undergraduates vs Postgraduates. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 11(2), 88–97.
Raja Yacob, Raja Nur Hidayah & Mohamad, Mimi. (2023). Investigating the Metacognitive Online Reading Strategies Among ESL Undergraduates. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 13.
Rianto, A. (2021). Indonesian efl university students’ metacognitive online reading strategies before and during the covid-19 pandemic. Studies in English Language and Education, 8(1), 16–33.
Sheorey, R., & Mokhtari, K. (2001). Coping with academic materials: differences in the reading strategies of native and non-native readers. System, 29(4), 431-449.
Soares, S., Boyes, M. E., Parrila, R., & Badcock, N. A. (2023). Does reading anxiety impact on academic achievement in higher education students?. Dyslexia, 29(3), 179-198.
Waring, R., & Vu, H.T. (2020). Challenges Setting up Extensive Reading Programs in Vietnam. Journal of Extensive Reading, 5, 11-22.
Yasin Öztürk, S. (2018). Use Of Metacognitive Online Reading Strategies By Student Teachers Of English. European Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 3(3), 17–32.
Zhang, D., & Li, X. (2023). Challenges in goal-directed reading: A comparative study of reading strategies among students in digital environments. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(3), 543–559.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Upon acceptance of an article, authors will be asked to transfer copyright. This transfer will ensure the widest possible dissemination of information. A notification will be sent to the corresponding author confirming receipt of the manuscript. If excerpts from other copyrighted works are included, the author(s) must obtain written permission from the copyright owners and credit the source(s) in the article.
