THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SELF-IDENTIFY AS READERS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY by Michael J. Romick Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University 2020 2 THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SELF-IDENTIFY AS READERS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY by Michael J. Romick A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 2020 APPROVED BY: Dr. James Swezey, EdD, Committee Chair Dr. Randall Dunn, EdD, Committee Member 3 ABSTRACT The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and better understand the lived experiences of what it means to be a reader as a high school student. The literature revealed a plethora of studies and articles on various aspects of reading and many pieces from teachers, researchers, and academics’ perspectives, but there are virtually no studies that have explored what being a reader means from the high school reader’s perspective; no studies that have explored the lived experiences of what being a reader means to high school students. The central question guiding this study asked, “What is the lived experience of a self-identified reader?” I discussed and explored the lived experiences with 11 high school juniors and seniors in three high schools in a small city in the northeastern United States. The theory that guided this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory; this theory is predicated on the belief that development and learning are socially situated. The three main elements of this theory, social interaction, the more knowledgeable other, and the zone of proximal development, all are related to students’ learning to read and developing as readers and are therefore related to the study’s focus. This study collected data in four ways: personal interviews, text and email messages, protocol writing, and reader-inspired photographs, pictures, and images. Data were analyzed using lean coding, thematic analysis, and phenomenological reflection. Keywords: reader(s), reading, lived experience of readers, self-concept of reading, self- confidence, hermeneutic phenomenology, van Manen 4 Copyright Page © 2020 Michael J. Romick All rights reserved. 5 Dedication With eternal thanks and appreciation, I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my family. First to my late wife, whose tenacity, determination, and never-ending belief in me were a constant inspiration and whose passing is still felt. Next to my children, whose patience, kindness, and support meant and continue to mean everything. To my sister, who began her doctoral journey and successfully navigated it before me and served as an inspiration and motivation for me to begin and continue with my quest; and finally, to the Lord for always being there, for always being my rock and my salvation. 6 Acknowledgments I would like to express my appreciation to my chair, Dr. James Swezey, for providing guidance, help, and support throughout my dissertation journey, and to my committee member Dr. Randall Dunn for his support, recommendations, and guidance. I was fortunate to have both of these fine gentlemen as professors during my summer intensive classes and they proved to be an inspiration. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge my sister Deborah and my children Meggie, Shane, and Kate for serving as sounding boards and for listening to me “think out loud” during this journey. 7 Table of Contents ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3 Copyright Page .................................................................................................................................4 Dedication ........................................................................................................................................5 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................6 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................12 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................13 List of Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................14 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................15 Overview ............................................................................................................................15 Background ........................................................................................................................16 Historical ................................................................................................................16 Social ......................................................................................................................18 Theoretical .............................................................................................................19 Situation to Self..................................................................................................................20 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................21 Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................22 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................23 Research Questions ............................................................................................................25 Definitions ..........................................................................................................................26 Summary ............................................................................................................................26 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................28 Overview ............................................................................................................................28 8 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................28 Related Literature ...............................................................................................................30 What it Means to Be a Reader ...............................................................................31 The Benefits of Being a Reader .............................................................................33 Misplaced Emphasis ..............................................................................................38 Self-Concept of Being a Reader ............................................................................41 Reading as a Social Process ...................................................................................43 Motivational Forces ...............................................................................................46 Reading Is Reading ................................................................................................53 Gaps .......................................................................................................................56 Summary ............................................................................................................................57 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS ..................................................................................................61 Overview ............................................................................................................................61 Design ................................................................................................................................61 Research Questions ............................................................................................................63 Setting ................................................................................................................................63 Participants .........................................................................................................................64 Procedures ..........................................................................................................................65 The Researcher's Role ........................................................................................................66 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................67 Interviews ...............................................................................................................67 Emails and Texts ....................................................................................................71 Protocol Writing .....................................................................................................71 9 Selfies, Photos, and Pictures ..................................................................................73 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................75