Maulida, Erlina. 2025. The Effect of Printed and Online Dictionaries on 7^th Grade Students’ Vocabulary Retention in SMP Negeri 24 Banjarmasin. Sarjana’s Thesis, English Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin. The first advisor:  Dr. Novita Triana, M.A., the second advisor: Raisa Fadilla, M.Pd.

Keywords:  teaching vocabulary, vocabulary retention, printed and online dictionaries

                Vocabulary learning is essential to foreign language mastery. However, many seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri 24 Banjarmasin struggle to retain new words due to the lack of exposure and dictionary use is not encouraged. Although printed and online dictionaries are available, they remain underutilized, making this school a suitable site to examine whether there is a significant difference in vocabulary retention between printed and online dictionaries.

            This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental design with two experimental groups selected through cluster random sampling. A total of 62 students participated, divided equally into two groups: one using printed dictionaries and the other using online dictionaries. Each group underwent four vocabulary learning sessions, and their vocabulary retention was measured using initial and delayed vocabulary tests. The retention scores were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Mann–Whitney U test was employed to test the hypothesis due to the non-normal data distribution.

            The results indicated no significant difference in vocabulary retention between the two groups (p-value 0.573). However, the printed dictionary group showed slightly higher and more consistent retention scores. These findings suggest that dictionary format alone does not determine retention outcomes. Structured learning, repeated exposure, and retrieval practice may play a more decisive role in enhancing vocabulary retention. The study concludes that both printed and online dictionaries can be equally effective tools for vocabulary learning when used purposefully in a well-managed classroom setting.