Word recognition versus comprehension

Here is a new research paper which compares word recognition to comprehension:

A pilot study to assess oral health literacy by comparing a word recognition and

comprehension tool by Khan, Ruby, Goldblatt, Schensul and Reisine

It comes to the conclusion that word recognition does not necessarily imply comprehension. 

Any primary school teacher in the UK can tell you that.

Well, at least someone has formally put it down on a paper.

And it justifies why we recommend always doing phonics before comprehension for struggling readers.