Investigating EFL Learners’ Reading Strategies for Research Purposes

Abstract

The current study attempted to investigate the use of reading strategies by Master2 (M2) EFL learners in conducting their M2 research. In order to test the hypothesis that suggests that M2 EFL learners’ conscious use of the necessary reading strategies while reading facilitates the process of conducting research. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, particularly writing a research dissertation, a qualitative questionnaire was administered to thirty (30) M2 students at the department of English at Mohammed Seddik BenYahia University, Jijel. The findings revealed that the majority of the participants do not show a conscious use of the reading strategies while doing research though they are aware of the effectiveness of their use. The cognitive reading strategies that learners use most in managing their research are skimming and scanning while the used metacognitive strategies, as higher techniques, are limited to planning and self-monitoring. EFL learners admit their need of cognitive and metacognitive strategies for being effective techniques that facilitate writing the literature review of their dissertations. Therefore, the research hypothesis was confirmed and positively defended by the respondents