Compares nine beginning textbooks for use in teaching English as a foreign language on the basis of their treatment of negation in English. (DD)

Discusses investigations into the ability of students to understand their science texts. Outlines some research, both in Jamaica and Australia, which suggests that there is need for teachers to be concerned about the value to students of some of the written materials provided for them. Contains 21 references. (JRH)

Analysis of test item banks in 10 auditing textbooks found that 75% of questions violated one or more guidelines for multiple-choice items. In comparison, 70% of a certified public accounting exam bank had no violations. (SK)

Introduces a theoretical framework--a language of description --which has been developed for the sociological analysis of school texts, mathematics texts in particular. The language is introduced through the practical description of extracts from the texts which were analyzed in its development. Also indicates how the language of description is…

Analyzes 50 major textbooks in the fields of evolution, biology, ecology, genetics, paleontology, and systematics, focusing on how the conceptual framework of evolution as a process is presented and developed in those fields. Lists definitions of evolution provided in the textbooks and discusses the implications of the findings. Contains 56…

A study to evaluate representative technology education textbooks (n=15) in terms of reading difficulty, writing style, and interest level ranked texts from most to least difficult using 6 readability formulas. Results indicated that using texts with appropriate readability reduces additional adaptation or rewriting by the instructor. (JOW)

The readability, reading ease, interest level, and writing style of 20 current textbooks in secondary marketing education were evaluated. Readability formulas consistently identified lower reading levels for special needs education, human interest scores were not very reliable information sources, and writing style was also a weak variable. (JOW)

Demonstrates how functional language analyses differentiate explanation types and specify language features relevant to the effectiveness of texts in apprenticing students to the language forms of scientific English. Illustrates key differences between different types of explanations, then sample text analyses show how language features index…

Develops a perspective based on the history and philosophy of science considerations (rational reconstruction) in order to understand the postulation of the covalent bond by Lewis. Formulates four criteria based on the perspective and evaluates of 27 textbooks based on the four criteria. Shows that most textbooks lacked a history and philosophy of…

Mathematics textbooks embody a particular set of assumptions about mathematics or the mathematics intended for students at a particular level. An epistemological analysis of textbooks can provide some context for understanding, for example the difficulties many students encounter when moving from high school to collegiate mathematics. In this…

Presents the results of a survey of 11 high school world history textbooks published between 1983 and 1985. The analysis showed that the texts generally ignored human biological origins and provided an extremely unequal treatment of the world's cultural regions. Includes recommendations for teachers who seek to overcome such weaknesses. (JDH)

Reports that variation in textbook prices is not correlated with textbook quality as judged by instructors and that university faculty are less price conscious when selecting textbooks than are community college faculty. States that, if faculty had greater access to price information, textbook prices would decrease. Makes recommendations for…

Content of three recently published health textbooks was analyzed to show: (1) the methods of presentation, either factual, experiential, or direct; and (2) the incorporation of dietary goals from "Dietary Goals for the United States" (US Senate 1978). Results are discussed. (MT)

Ten college-level money and banking textbooks were arrayed along six continua representing professors' major preferences when choosing a text. The continua topics are theoretical approach, complexity of presentation, theory/institution mix, nuts and bolts explanations, organizational approach, and writing style. (RM)

Of the 36 texts examined, only two did not deal with values education in any significant way. The remaining 34 provided inadequate coverage. Almost all of the texts failed to discuss criticisms of the various approaches used to teach values and issues related to the imposition of values. (RM)