Journal Article

Differential identification of females and males with reading difficulties: A meta-analysis

Quinn, Jamie M.

2018

Overview

Males are more likely than females to be identified as having reading difficulties, but it is unclear if this is a result of sample ascertainment or identification bias. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the magnitude of gender differences in reading difficulties using available studies in which researchers investigated this difference and an additional dataset with a representative U.S. sample. After conducting a literature search, sixteen studies and a restricted use dataset were included in the present analysis ( N  = 552,729). A random-effects odds ratio model indicated that males are 1.83 times more likely than females to have reading difficulties. Moderator analyses revealed that the gender ratio is greater when the identified reading difficulties were more severe. Further, this difference in identification rates across males and females was found without evidence of publication bias. Implications for the identification of students with reading difficulties are discussed.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Aptitude Tests / At Risk Persons / Bias / Cutting Scores / Definitions / Disability Identification / Dyslexia / Education / Error of Measurement / Females / Gender Bias / Gender Differences / Intelligence Tests / Language and Literature / Linguistics / Literacy / Literature Reviews / Low Achievement / Males / Measurement Techniques / Meta Analysis / Neurology / Predictor Variables / Psycholinguistics / Reading Achievement / Reading Difficulties / Reading disabilities / Reading Improvement / Reading Skills / Reading Tests / Researchers / Severity (of Disability) / Sex ratio / Social Sciences