Examines if the reading levels of state-adopted science textbooks at the high-school level are consistent with their intended reader levels. Finds that four of five chemistry textbooks had reading levels beyond high school, while biology textbooks fared better but not as well as the physics and physical science textbooks, which were on grade level…

Explores ways in which the subject of ethics is presented to current and future public relations practitioners within the education process. Finds in the public relations literature that was examined that ethics ought to be a priority concern. (MS)

Gives an historical overview of Rogerian motivational constructs of actualization and self actualization. Reports the results of a survey of introductory textbooks relative to their treatment of Rogers' thinking. Suggests that individuals who wish to create a Rogerian presentation should incorporate the congruence/incongruence concept. (KO)

Examines and discusses research findings regarding the degree to which physics texts aid in student's understanding of physics concepts. Found that teachers' questioning behaviors, inclusion of seductive details, and the incorporation of analogies may influence student learning. (ZWH)

Analyzes textbooks on thermodynamics with the aim of showing that several mental representations of this subject matter are present in scientific literature. Outlines divergent attitudes towards the definition of fundamental concepts and also towards the epistemological status of thermodynamics. Highlights the importance of historical…

Finds that high school physical science students prefer textbooks with expository text that not only gives a correct concept but refutes common incorrect ideas. Finds that writing a comprehensible text is more difficult than the researchers had imagined. (SR)

Examines the relationship between student perceptions of reading ease and human interest in first-year college writing textbooks and the evaluation results produced by the Flesch formulas and checklist items. Finds that neither the Flesch formula nor checklists relate well to students' perceptions of interest in the writing textbooks evaluated.…

Investigates what Chinese negotiators are trained to do in the global marketplace by examining China's international business negotiation textbooks used in their training programs. Indicates that Chinese negotiators are taught a large variety of communication techniques for negotiation arrayed along a continuum from the relationship-based win-win…

Finds 37 common theoretical ideas discussed in at least three of five popular collegiate interpersonal communication textbooks. Divides the common theories into four broad conceptual categories: (1) issues surrounding symbolic self; (2) issues of perception; (3) verbal skills, behaviors, and competencies; and (4) relational perspectives that view…

History and social studies textbooks have often been the object of heated political debate in various countries, since they relate directly to issues of national identity and citizenship. This article analyzes how "foreigners" are portrayed in two versions (the 2000 and 2006 versions, date of issue) of the best-selling elementary social…

Claiming that discourse has atrophied in a social climate that provides little space for reasoned discussion of vital issues, this paper explores the role the general education course in public speaking has played in the past and the role this course could play in the future in the restoration of public space. Divided into three focused sections,…

Confirms findings of other studies indicating that textbooks used by college freshmen were in most cases several grade levels above the students' reading abilities. (RB)

An examination of the role of commercially available materials in textbook form in a laboratory setting. (Author)

There are difficulties associated with research to determine the relationship of pictorial illustrations and learning from instructional texts. Although pictorial illustrations are one of the most common components of instructional texts, little has been done to determine how they affect learning from texts. The research associated with this area…