Presents results of a content analysis of 46 postsecondary reading textbooks to assess the texts' incorporation of features that enhance learning. Describes the use of a modified version of Singer's Friendly Text Inventory to analyze the texts in terms of organization, explication, conceptual density, metadiscourse, and instructional devices. (DMM)

Describes Information Mapping, a methodology for the analysis, organization, sequencing, and presentation of information and explains three major parts of the method: (1) content analysis, (2) project life-cycle synthesis and integration of the content analysis, and (3) sequencing and formatting. Major criticisms of the methodology are addressed.…

Discusses the "Regressive Imagery Dictionary," a computerized content analysis technique for evaluating primary process thought in natural language texts. Describes its use in evaluating the King James Bible. Reports that findings are consistent with a fifth degree polynomial function, as suggested by one model of spiritual development…

Searched articles (n=387) in German magazines with highest circulation rates for attitudes about alcoholism. In 55 percent of articles, alcohol dependence was described as illness, but only 4 percent included definitions of condition. Found articles about alcohol dependence were so simplified reader could mistake condition as being self-inflicted…

This content analysis of library and information science (LIS) research from 1965 to 1985 was conducted to determine the distribution of topics in research articles and the research methodologies that have been used. Results indicated that information storage and retrieval was the most popular topic and that empirical strategies predominated. (20…

Reveals conclusions of an analysis of developmental psychology textbook information about television and children. Reports variability in the amount and type of information presented. Suggests that the amount of information presented has declined in recent years. Expresses concern for the textbooks' scant coverage of the effects of television on…

Explores communication strategies and styles used in television advertising by female U.S. Senate candidates for the 1986 elections. Finds that they focused on issues and stayed away from negative advertising in their ads, tending to highlight their competency as political officials and their past accomplishments. (SR)

Conducted content analysis of 27 undergraduate marriage and family textbooks published from 1988 to 1993 to examine presentation of abortion and adoption in those texts. Abortion received greater coverage and was formally recognized at macro level as pregnancy resolution option and social issue. Adoption was addressed at micro level as option for…

Responds to previous article by Stolley and Hall (this issue) on presentation of abortion and adoption in undergraduate marriage and family textbooks. Agrees that adoption should be covered more comprehensively, but disagrees with Stolley and Hall on issue of parity of coverage of adoption and abortion as choices in resolution of unwanted…

Authors of original article on presentation of adoption and abortion in undergraduate marriage and family textbooks respond to commentaries on that article by Nock and by Strong and DeVault (all this issue). Respond by addressing aspects of authors' research regarding social construction approach in general and specific meaning of abortion and…

Compares coverage of five subjects in eight daily newspapers, employing both factor analysis and Pearson correlations. Computes correlation coefficients among newspapers by using (1) size of individual stories as items; and (2) space measurements by categories. Finds that different ways of coding the same raw data produced different results. (SR)

Uses content analysis of 15 major research journals to evaluate the telecommunications research productivity of U.S. communications programs. Ranks communication programs producing telecommunications articles in selected journals, producing student-authored telecommunications articles, producing articles on new and recently emerged technology or…

Reviews the focus of the journal "Management Communication Quarterly" during its first six years, to explore whether a theme has emerged that could be a de facto definition of management communication. Finds mixed results. (SR)

Examines a range of writing textbooks. Finds that many composition textbooks trivialize or misrepresent writing as process and process pedagogy. Outlines how composition theory becomes commodified. Calls for a radical revision of textbooks, including teachers helping students create their own texts. (HB)

Shows how online content analysis can be used to measure the frequencies and contexts of issues that advertisers circulate to major media markets. An example of a study of word strings of advertising slogans, a description of the benchmarks of successful sloganeering, and strategies for planning a study are described. (KRN)