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

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.

I
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.

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.

I
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.

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.

I
 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

The study will be using a Likert scale to measure reading comprehension, the study will

do so by creating a set of statements related to reading comprehension skills or

experiences and asking respondents to indicate their agreement or disagreement with

each statement. This approach is often used in surveys or research studies to gather

quantitative data on individuals' perceived reading comprehension abilities.

2. Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is a complex cognitive process that involves understanding,

interpreting, and making meaning from written language. It is a crucial skill that allows

individuals to extract information, gain knowledge, and engage with a wide range of texts

across various disciplines. This study will gauge this independent variable and find how it

affects the dependent variable, which in this study is the students’ academic performance.

3. Academic Performance

Academic performance refers to an individual's achievements and outcomes in an

educational setting, typically measured through assessments, exams, projects, and other

evaluative methods. It encompasses the demonstration of knowledge, skills, and

competencies within a specific academic discipline or across various subjects. It serves as

a key indicator of a student's readiness for further education and their potential for

I
 success in future endeavors. The study wants to determine how this variable is affected

by the reading comprehension of the students.

4. Cultural and Language Barriers

Language barriers can significantly impact reading comprehension, especially for

individuals who are not proficient in the language in which the text is presented. These

barriers can arise from various factors, and their effects on comprehension can be notable.

In the case of this study, the criminology freshmen consists of Filipinos wherein their first

language is not English. The researchers determine that this factor plays a big role in the

development of reading comprehension as insufficient understanding of the English

language leads to confusion in translating their native language to English.