The argument on the advantages of whole word method over phonics, or whole language processing over both other methods of reading, is constantly the subject of a heated discussion. So, the New York University study, by professor of psychology and neural science Denis Pelli and research scientist Katharine Tillman, performed an assessment which of the methods people use in their daily attempt to speed up the reading process.

"The contributions made by phonics, holistic word recognition, and whole-language processes are not redundant," explained Pelli. "These three processes are not working on the same words and, in fact, make contributions to reading speed exclusive of one another."

Read more on the process of testing and its results at the ScienceDaily, Phonics, Whole-word And Whole-language Processes Add Up To Determine Reading Speed, Study Shows