Idstein, B. E. (2003). Dictionary use during reading comprehension tests: An aid or a diversion ? (Publication No. 3080864) [Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University of Pennsylvania]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. https://www.proquest.com/docview/288236820

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA); ProQuest document ID: 288236820

The purpose of this study is to examine students’ use of the Oxford Student's Dictionary for Hebrew Speakers during reading comprehension exams in English.

Two Israeli classes of approximately 25–30 students were selected for participation in this part of the study. The students were female students in eleventh grade.

The students were given a test called a bagrut, a reading comprehension test in English. The reading task component included two reading passages.

Qualitative results show the better students do well in less time than it takes weaker students to achieve lower grades. Weaker students rely excessively on their dictionaries and do not trust themselves. Dictionary use does not affect the scores or test time of the better students, and may actually slow down and negatively affect the scores of weaker students.