Date of Graduation

Fall 12-12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College/School

School of Education

Department

Learning and Instruction

Program

Learning & Instruction EdD

First Advisor

Dr. Patricia L. Busk

Second Advisor

Dr. Xornam Apedoe

Third Advisor

Dr. Sedique Popal

Abstract

Although working memory (WM) capacity has been highlighted in many theories of first-language (L1) and second-language (L2) reading comprehension, some scholars argue that its importance may be overstated and that existing findings are still inconclusive. Even with extensive research since 1995, the literature has lacked a thorough quantitative review of these results. This study shows that WM capacity is positively related to reading comprehension. The current secondary meta-analysis examined the relationship between WM capacity and reading comprehension in both L1 and L2, using two authoritative meta-analytic datasets: Daneman and Merikle’s (1996) for L1 and Jeon and Yamashita’s (2022) for L2. To conduct a comprehensive assessment of heterogeneity, this study recommends considering two types: absolute heterogeneity (measured by Cohen’s q) and relative heterogeneity (measured by Higgins’ I2). The width of the prediction intervals, as an indicator of absolute heterogeneity, is evaluated using Cohen’s q, with operational definitions similar to those provided by Cohen (1988). Additionally, the width of the confidence intervals, as a measure of the precision of the pooled mean, is assessed using Cohen’s q, and similar operational definitions are included. To conduct a comprehensive assessment of heterogeneity, this study recommends considering two types: absolute heterogeneity (measured by Cohen’s q that quantifies the width of the prediction interval) and relative heterogeneity. The width of the prediction intervals, as an indicator of absolute heterogeneity, is evaluated using Cohen’s q. Additionally, the width of the confidence intervals, as a measure of the precision of the pooled mean, is assessed using Cohen’s q.

Download

Share

COinS