Home⇛SARIRIT: The University Research Journal (formerly QSU Research Journal)⇛vol. 14 no. 1 (Special Issue) (2025)

Decoding the Digital World: A comparative Analysis of Reading Comprehension in Digital and Print Fiction

Kristine Mae A. Graganta

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Reading comprehension is important for academic success, but the increased use of digital media in education raises questions about how different reading formats affect learning. Limited studies exist comparing the effectiveness of digital fiction and printed fiction in the context of secondary education, particularly in the Philippine setting. This study aims to fill that gap by comparing the effects of digital fiction and printed fiction on students' reading comprehension. The study was conducted at Saguday National High School during the 2024-2025 school year. It used a quasi-experimental design. A 30-item reading comprehension test was given as both a pre-test and a post-test. Demographic data, including age and sex, were also collected. The data were analyzed using t-tests, Levene’s Test, Cohen’s d, and the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The results showed that both groups had similar pre-test scores, meaning they started at the same level. However, after the intervention, the digital fiction group had much higher post-test scores than the printed fiction group. The effect size, measured by Cohen’s d, was large, showing a strong impact of digital fiction. Additionally, low-performing students in the digital group made the most progress, suggesting that digital fiction is helpful for students who find traditional texts challenging. These results suggest that digital fiction can be a useful teaching tool, particularly for students who struggle with reading. The study encourages teachers to consider incorporating digital fiction into the classroom to enhance reading comprehension. Future research could explore the long-term effects of using digital fiction and test the findings in other educational settings.



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