An APA task force, after critically analyzing graduate level psychology textbooks, found sex bias in the style of these books as well as in reporting more studies by males than by females. To avoid future bias, the task force has issued certain guidelines and principles which are listed in this article. (SE)

Sample sentences in grammar books and in tests too frequently deal with cynicism and despair. (DD)

The author describes in personal terms the genesis of his introductory psychology text, Understanding Human Behavior. (Author)

Examines approximately one-third of the more than 100 college-level U.S. government textbooks, separating them into four general categories: traditional, thematic, essentials, and ideological. Evaluates texts on the basis of accuracy, readability, adequacy, coverage of certain topics, treatment of women and minorities, and particular policy areas.…

Analyzes the treatment of genocide in secondary world history textbooks. Acknowledges that textbook space is limited, but argues that all should contain some reference to the subject. Concludes that the Armenian genocide, as well as the genocidal acts of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao Tse-tung should be presented in all survey texts. (GEA)

Compares professors' ratings of the pedagogical quality of 43 introductory psychology texts with measures of 29 objective features such as manuscript length and number of references. Regression analysis showed that the 29 features predicted substantial portions of the variance in the professors' ratings. States that the comparative data may be…

As much as 90 percent of classroom instructional time is structured by instructional materials, especially textbook. Research shows, however, that textbooks alone are not enough. Analyses of elementary grade social studies textbooks reveal that the breadth is too wide and the depth too shallow. Specific examples are provided. (RM)

Author investigated the use of political novels in the classroom, as either a partial or complete replacement of formal texts, and reviewed some of the research done in this area. (Author/RK)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether one area of United States history--Populism and Populists--is accurately presented in nine widely used current American history high school textbooks. Another objective was to devise a system that could be used to make such a determination for any history text. (Author)

Reports on an analysis of the manner in which five basal reader series portray the handicapped. Concludes that much improvement is needed in the information and values about handicapping conditions that students receive in their textbooks. (FL)

Notes that most textbooks used in teacher education classes fail to discuss adequately the issues of sex equity, sex bias, sex differences, and the social contributions of women. Offers a list of resources for providing sex equity in education. (RL)

Reviews the kinds of discourse analyses that are currently being undertaken, summarizes research findings, and makes suggestions based on these findings for structuring texts to be used for instructional or informational purposes. (Author/MER)

A review of James Hartley's book, "Designing Instructional Text," this article discusses the controlled use of vertical space and the merits of both vertical and horizontal space for structuring text. An argument is presented for the use of traditional typology in designing instructional text. (RAO)

This paper presents guidelines for improving instructional text under three main headings: prose and grammatical features; tables and graphs; and typographical design. The paper has been printed in such a way as to illustrate the points made. (Author)

Argues for a more principled and careful consideration of composition handbooks. Discusses the values and measures used to evaluate handbooks, what constitutes the act of writing, what constitutes good writing, and who writes and why. Lists questions to serve as a guide for instructors in handbook selection. (TB)