Focuses on the writing of problem and purpose statements of a report and what the authors of various textbooks say about the writing of these statements. Concludes that no single definition of problem and purpose statements exist to which the writers of communication textbooks agree. (KEH)

Replicates an earlier study in which students read versions of passages rewritten by composition instructors, text linguists, or Time-Life writers. Finds that the composition instructor's revisions were the most effective. Points out methodological lessons learned. Comments on some conclusions on improving textbook design and the measures used in…

Determines the extent to which postsecondary reading textbooks provide an awareness of and strategies for the use of both considerate and inconsiderate text features in the reading of content area textbooks. Analyses 46 postsecondary developmental reading textbooks. Finds that substantially more strategies in these texts concern considerate text…

Surveys introductory business and economics statistics textbooks and finds that they differ over the best way to explain one-tailed hypothesis tests: the simple null-hypothesis approach or the composite null-hypothesis approach. Argues that the composite null-hypothesis approach contains methodological shortcomings that make it more difficult for…

Explores changes in the introductory psychology textbook market through an analysis of edition, author, length, and content coverage of the volumes that comprise the current market. Finds a higher edition average, a decrease in the number of authors, an increase in text pages, and a focus on developmental psychology and sensation/perception. (CMK)

Determines the extent physics textbooks contribute to physics teaching objectives and knowledge acquisition in Libya. Analysis of seventh- through ninth-grade physics textbooks and cognitive demand shows a limited effect of textbook content on knowledge acquisition and educational objectives. Suggestions are made for promoting the acquisition of…

Examines the ways journalism textbooks instruct journalism students to approach disability-related stories and sources, presumably within a wider context of overall sensitivity to diversity issues. Finds that news reporting textbooks fare poorly when assessed against basic disability/diversity reporting guidelines. (SG)

Discusses the lack of appropriate textbooks for African library and information professional training and suggests the need for team authorship, publishing incentives, support by professional associations, the involvement of retired professionals in marketing and distribution, and the involvement of the governments. (Contains 16 references.) (LRW)

Examines how the peer review process influences the writing and publication of sociology textbooks and the teaching of sociology. States that the peer review process may influence the final textbook in five ways: (1) degree of innovation; (2) length; (3) reading level; (4) cloning ancillaries and accessories; and (5) using reviewers as marketing…

Examines textbooks (n=40), developed for introductory sociology, based on quantity and quality of material pertaining to traditional symbolic interaction ideas. Finds all textbooks discuss at least some of the ideas. Provides empirical study findings with illustrations. Focuses on how materials from symbolic interaction traditions can enhance…

Textbooks for GCE Advanced Level Biology have provided over-simplified and inaccurate accounts of Charles Darwin's contribution to the study of evolution over a period of many decades. They have credited him with field skills and insight that he did not possess, and repeated several historical inaccuracies. Darwin's strength was as a synthesiser…

This paper examines how the discourse of textbooks leaves various impressions upon students regarding our democratic ideals of justice and equality. A qualitative content analysis of five widely sold secondary U.S. history textbooks was conducted. The content areas analyzed were the Japanese American internment during World War II and related…

Labor activists and sympathetic scholars have long been critical of the anti-labor bias found in what they term the "hired press." Research generally supports these labor movement perceptions; studies of media coverage of industrial conflict have consistently found that the media cover these struggles through frames that delegitimize the…

An analysis of five journalism books published between 1867 and 1911 provides journalism and mass communication educators and textbook authors with insight into what their earliest predecessors considered important. Strong arguments exist for each of the following five books to receive consideration as the first or oldest news reporting textbook…

A study sought to reveal the ideological structure shaping representations of communication theory in contemporary communication theory textbooks. The characteristics of five communication theory textbooks, including such areas as theory inclusion, theory constitution, and theory presentation, as well as disciplinary issues, the concept of theory…