Maintains that misperceptions or incorrect mental images about relative location and size are common in geography. Reports on a study of 708 students ranging in age from junior high school through undergraduate school. Finds that misperceptions are widespread and exist across grade levels. (CFR)

A sample of 14 college and 8 high school biology textbooks were evaluated to determine whether they provided accurate and adequate descriptions and examples of scientific thinking. The authors contrast their views of the nature of scientific thinking with those of the textbook authors on the concepts of hypothesis, theory, law, and principle. (MDH)

Argues that research and teaching in sociology should reflect increased commitment achievements and contributions of culturally diverse groups. Discusses content analysis of 30 introductory sociology texts to determine quantity and quality of their coverage of U.S. ethnic and racial groups. Concludes that, although substantial progress has been…

Reviews the textbook content of the second edition of Taiwanese textbooks that resulted from the 1989-95 revision process. Reviews Taiwan' s national curriculum guide for social studies and basic guidelines for evaluating textbook content. Finds that the 1989-95 version addresses the presentation of local cultures but not controversial issues.…

This report contains a study done at the request of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, which studies public policy issues affecting the state of Wisconsin. Environmental education texts for Grades 6 through 10 were examined for scientific and economic accuracy, objectivity, and balance in accomplishing the following: 1) stating facts that…

A 1989-90 project determined the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the aquaculture industry. The study identified technical materials and other resources available in private industry and higher education institutions. Two surveys determined the status of aquaculture in Texas school districts and identified tasks performed by…

A study was conducted at the College of Saint Rose, in Albany, New York, to evaluate the effectiveness of a student workbook that accompanies the 5th edition of the textbook "Introduction to Psychology: Exploration and Application," by Dennis Coon. The study examined the academic performance and attitudes of 106 undergraduate students…

A close examination of nine popular speech textbooks was conducted to determine how adequately and accurately they covered researching in the library and its importance in the speechmaking process for the student. Results indicated that the texts did not emphasize critical thinking skills; they also contained an inappropriate emphasis on online…

This paper reports a comparative analysis of beginning and experienced teachers' thinking about teaching subtraction with regrouping commonly called "borrowing"), and the role that textbooks play in their deliberations. Twelve beginning and nine experienced teachers appraised and compared two contrasing textbook selections dealing with this topic…

In the past, science textbooks have been the target of criticism of science educators in studies of sex bias in the past. The purpose of this study was to examine the illustrations in the biology textbooks most commonly used in high schools in the United States. Seven textbooks were examined for their representation of women in illustrations of…

A study compared the sex roles depicted in the 1963 Scott Foresman basal series with those of the 1978 series to determine if changes had occurred. A total of 172 stories from 16 readers were analyzed using the Checklist for Evaluating Sexism in Reading. Each story was examined for the number of times males and females were portrayed as main…

In 1980, a study was conducted to determine the current status of word processing (WP) in Illinois in order to suggest ways to improve curricula in Illinois postsecondary schools. The study involved: (1) soliciting and evaluating WP textbooks and course materials from 9 textbook publishers; (2) requesting information from 14 WP manufacturers and…

A study assessed the training effectiveness of instructional materials designed in accordance with three format models for (1) recalling facts about equipment, (2) applying rules and regulations, and (3) classifying objects and signals. Three types of self-paced instructional materials were compared: learning aids, programmed instruction, and…

One component of an evaluation research model for system-wide selection of curriculum materials is reported: implementation of an evaluation design for obtaining data that permits professional and lay persons to base curriculum materials decisions on a "best fit" principle. The design includes teacher characteristics, learning environment…

This paper suggests that some of the U.S. history textbooks selected and analyzed by Frances Fitzgerald in her research on the political socialization function of U.S. history ("America Revised," 1979) were never widely used in schools and that the results of her study are, therefore, unrepresentative. The paper also presents a…