Abstract
Using third-, fourth- and fifth-grade disadvantaged pupils, the investigator sought to test the null hypotheses that children would not demonstrate uniformity of interest across a three grade span or by selected groups, and that children would not reflect common interests in picture selection of most and least preferred interest categories. In testing the hypotheses an instrument was designed, similar in some respects to the one developed by Koplyay and Ford, in which the subjects expressed their reading preference by ranking stimuli pictures in order of preferences. A free choice selection does seem to be an indicator of interest; however, the procedure does not appear to possess the reliability necessary to warrant its use as a broad research tool. Synthesizing the findings of this study and others concerning reading preferences, the conclusion was drawn that childrens' reading preferences have not been definitively established, nor have reliable instruments been developed.