A Comparative Readability Study of Certain College Textbooks [microform] / Ella D. Jones
- Bib ID:
- 5396934
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- Jones, Ella D
- Description:
-
- [Washington, D.C.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1981
- 26 p.
- Summary:
-
Although the popular press has reported that college textbooks are becoming easier to read in response to the lowered reading skill level of entering freshmen, a recent study found that newer editions of college texts were more difficult to read than earlier editions of the same texts. A study was undertaken to determine which of the two views was correct. The Fry Readability Formula was applied to early and recent editions of three college textbooks. Three 100 word passages were randomly selected from each book, and the average number of syllables and the average number of sentences were counted. The results indicated that there was a difference in the readability of textbooks involving economics, sociology, and psychology over two editions of the same text--the later edition being the more difficult. Specifically, the later editions showed an increase in technical vocabulary and a decrease in space to develop concepts. (HOD)
- Notes:
-
- ERIC Note: M. A. Thesis, Kean College of New Jersey.
- May also be available online. Address as at 14/8/18: https://eric.ed.gov/
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.
- Subject:
- Available From:
- ERIC
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1981
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- The Readability of College Textbooks, 1954-1979 [microform] / Joanne Bent
- Metacognitive Theory Applied [microform] : Strategic Reading Instruction in the Current Generation of Basal Readers / Maribeth Cassidy Schmitt and Carol J. Hopkins
- Latin America in World Geography Textbooks for the Secondary School [microform] / Mary E. Andereck and Clifton V. Dixon, Jr
- An Extension of the Britton [microform] : Lumpkin Study: A Review of Recently Published Readers for Sex Dominance / Jesus Garcia and Bonnie Longnion
- Educational Content of Basal Reading Texts [microform] : Implications for Comprehension Instruction / William H. Schmidt and Others