Old and new dillema of reading research

Abstract

The article concerns methodology of reading research in Poland, in historical and modern contexts, i.e. in the time of the Internet. The author starts with a brief review of reading research in Poland, from their beginning at the turnover of the 19^th and 20^th centuries until nowadays. She focuses on the research output of the Institute of Book and Readership of the National Library in Warsaw (established in 1954). Next she presents problems - difficulties in defining the four concepts fundamental for reading research: a book, a reading (a lecture), a reader, and a readership. Concluding she underlines that in the time of the Internet writing does not mean the same as in the print era. Therefore reading research faces also new and unconventional challenges. A few concepts (a book, a reading) require new definitions, to determine new range of research. Research methods and tools also require analysis and redefinition, including usage of the Internet as a source and a tool in reading research. Generally speaking, a new paradigm of reading research require in-depth reflection.