Multidimensionality of EFL Recreational Reading Attitudes: An EFA and CFA Approach

Abstract

Since an understanding of reading attitude is pivotal to reading encouragement, this study investigated the multidimensionality of recreational reading attitude among Jordanian EFL students. Thus, a survey of recreational reading attitudes was administered to 225 EFL tertiary students at the University of Jordan. The responses to the 10-item survey were factored using (1) Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and two factor dimensions were obtained for the Recreational Reading Attitude, namely, Efferent (Cognitive) and Aesthetic (Affective). The results were then validated using (2) Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) technique using IBM Amos 23. The results of this study provide statistical evidence and a confirmation through using mixed statistical approaches (i.e., EFA and CFA) that recreational reading attitude of EFL students is multi-dimensional, which will yield a better understanding of how attitudes can affect EFL students' engagement in reading and choices of reading materials. Thus, introducing a new 56definition for recreational reading attitudes to encompass their multidimensional nature.