Readability and Basic Course Hybrid Textbooks in Human Communication: A Disparity of Reading Difficulty
David E. Schneider, Melissa Walter-Reed · Communication Research Reports · 2009
Research centered exclusively on textbooks for the basic course in human communication has been relatively sparse. This analysis provides valuable information to academics who select textbooks that employ a hybrid approach to the study of human communication. Readability levels of 17 different nationally published textbooks, based on Fry's (1977 Fry , E. B. ( 1977 ). Fry's readability graph: Clarifications, validity, and extension to level 17 . Journal of Reading , 21 , 242 – 252 . [Google Scholar]) readability formula, are reported. Results indicate that readability among texts varies as much as five grade levels and that some books may be inappropriate selections for students at certain institutions. Limitations of this report and future directions for research on the basic course are also discussed.