This study explores how faculty members select and use the educational materials employed in their courses. The primary sample represents all teaching faculty across all types of degree-granting higher education institution in the United States. Two subgroups of faculty are called out for detailed examination: those teaching large-enrollment…

Many criticisms accompanied the development of the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual" ("DSM-5"), yet it was still released in 2013 and is used within clinical work throughout the United States. Despite on-going questions pertaining to its development and validity, many undergraduate psychology students…

This paper examines the issues useful for faculty members that are considering electronically self-publishing their course textbook. A brief history of the use of electronic textbooks is presented as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with self-publishing and electronic textbooks. A brief overview is provided on the process of…

Asch's classic social pressure experiments are discussed in almost all introductory and social psychology textbooks. However, the results of these experiments have been shown to be misrepresented in textbooks. An analysis of textbooks from 1953 to 1984 revealed that although most of the responses on critical trials were independent correct ones,…

Textbooks are a vital component in many higher education contexts. Increasing textbook prices, coupled with general rising costs of higher education have led some instructors to experiment with substituting open educational resources (OER) for commercial textbooks as their primary class curriculum. This article synthesizes the results of 16…

This textual content analysis set out to determine the extent to which the theories, principles, and guidelines in 4 standard books of instructional design and technology were also addressed in 4 popular books on web design. The standard books on instructional design and the popular books on web design were chosen by experts in the fields. The…

In this article, the author looks at several popular international relations textbooks in light of his experience teaching students in the Middle East. He finds that, for their many strengths, most of the books lack some key features that would make them more useful for students abroad.

In postwar Bosnia-Herzegovina, segregation along ethno-nationalistic lines and divergent pedagogies within the education system have presented challenges to social cohesion and the long-term stability of a society that is still struggling to rebuild, reconcile, and regain trust (Jancic, 2008). This article examines the current state of the…

Elucidates general principles that need to undergird economics textbooks. States that they should at least provide a combination of data and theory, where the theory explains the data which, in turn, illustrates the theory. Concludes that texts should transmit real knowledge of complex systems and economies so that future disastrous mistakes might…

Presents remarks of seven participants in a symposium which discussed Frances FitzGerald's study of history textbooks, "America Revised: History Schoolbooks in the Twentieth Century." Participants responded to the book's indictment that most scholars do not take textbooks seriously. (Author/KC)

Contends that if textbooks are to be improved it is essential that teachers, administrators, and textbook selectors become more demanding and discriminating consumers. Examines various textbook components that need improvement such as: (1) photographs; (2) basic skills exercises; (3) worksheets; and (4) content. (BSR)

Provides an evaluation of regional texts on Latin America by means of analyzing opinions of 45 Latin Americanist geographers. Findings are presented in three categories--highly rated texts, intermediately rated texts, and others. (DB)

Examines the importance of textbooks for learning, especially in developing countries which lack other educational resources. Emphasizes the complex network of educational forces that go into the development, production, and distribution of textbooks in an international context. (BSR)

Intended to help college level history teachers choose the texts most appropriate to their teaching methods and student bodies, this article critiques Western and world civilization textbooks. (RM)

According to analysis of the readability of textbooks used in 12 "common body of knowledge" courses in business administration, the higher the readability level, the lower the grade averages, fewer As, and the higher the number of withdrawals from the course. Although readability may not be the only influence, it is an important…