Research Article

Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling

Number: 29 February 27, 2026
TR EN

Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among fourth-grade elementary school students’ reading comprehension levels, fluent reading skills, and reading motivation through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study sample consisted of 239 students (117 males and 122 females) attending various elementary schools in Gaziantep during the fall semester of the 2023–2024 academic year. A relational screening model was employed in this study. Data were collected using the Narrative Text Comprehension Test (NTCT), Informative Text Comprehension Test (ITCT), the Reading Motivation Scale (RMS), a reading fluency passage, and a teacher evaluation form. The analysis results indicated moderate positive correlations between fluent reading and reading comprehension, as well as between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation; however, the relationship between reading comprehension and extrinsic motivation was weaker. While intrinsic motivation had a significant effect on both fluent reading and reading comprehension, extrinsic motivation influenced only fluent reading. The direct effect of fluent reading on reading comprehension was positive and significant.When examining the mediating role of motivation, it was observed that reading motivation had a significant effect on both skills. Reading comprehension explained 18% of the variance in reading motivation, while fluent reading accounted for 11%; conversely, reading motivation explained 34.7% of the variance in fluent reading. In conclusion, intrinsic motivation enhances reading performance, fluent reading supports reading comprehension, and reading motivation serves an important mediating function in this process.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the TUBITAK 2209/A project number 1919B012307823 under the supervision of the first author.

Project Number

1919B012307823

Ethical Statement

All rules outlined in the “Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Directive of Higher Education Institutions” have been followed, and none of the 'Actions Against Scientific Research and Publication Ethics' specified in the second section of the directive have been carried out.

Thanks

We would like to thank TUBITAK for their support.

References

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  6. Ates, S., Yildirim, K., Can, R., & Turkyilmaz, M. (2014). Relations among contextual silent reading fluency, non-contextual silent reading fluency, and reading comprehension: A path analysis of fifth grade readers. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 4010-4014.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Primary Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

February 27, 2026

Submission Date

February 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 29

APA
Yaşar Sağlık, Z., Sanır, B., & Yıldız, Z. (2026). Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of Education and Future, 29, 15-29. https://doi.org/10.30786/jef.1644855
AMA
1.Yaşar Sağlık Z, Sanır B, Yıldız Z. Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling. JEF. 2026;(29):15-29. doi:10.30786/jef.1644855
Chicago
Yaşar Sağlık, Zehra, Beyza Sanır, and Zeynep Yıldız. 2026. “Examination of the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling”. Journal of Education and Future, nos. 29: 15-29. https://doi.org/10.30786/jef.1644855.
EndNote
Yaşar Sağlık Z, Sanır B, Yıldız Z (February 1, 2026) Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of Education and Future 29 15–29.
IEEE
[1]Z. Yaşar Sağlık, B. Sanır, and Z. Yıldız, “Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling”, JEF, no. 29, pp. 15–29, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.30786/jef.1644855.
ISNAD
Yaşar Sağlık, Zehra - Sanır, Beyza - Yıldız, Zeynep. “Examination of the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling”. Journal of Education and Future. 29 (February 1, 2026): 15-29. https://doi.org/10.30786/jef.1644855.
JAMA
1.Yaşar Sağlık Z, Sanır B, Yıldız Z. Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling. JEF. 2026;:15–29.
MLA
Yaşar Sağlık, Zehra, et al. “Examination of the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling”. Journal of Education and Future, no. 29, Feb. 2026, pp. 15-29, doi:10.30786/jef.1644855.
Vancouver
1.Zehra Yaşar Sağlık, Beyza Sanır, Zeynep Yıldız. Examination of the Relationship between Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, and Reading Motivation Using Structural Equation Modeling. JEF. 2026 Feb. 1;(29):15-29. doi:10.30786/jef.1644855

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