Validation methods to measure textbooks readability

Subject Areas : Research in Curriculum Planning

mohammad ebrahim ghaderi moghaddam ¹ , mehdi sobhani nejad ²

1 - 1دانشجوی دکتری فلسفه تعلیم و تربیت، پژوهشگاه حوزه و دانشگاه ، قم، ایران
2 - 2دانشیار گروه علوم تربیتی، دانشگاه شاهد، تهران، ایران

Received: 2017-10-17 Accepted : 2017-10-17 Published : 2016-04-20

Keywords: Content Analysis, readability, Textbook,

Abstract :

The purpose of this study is to strengthen the applied literature and present the objective computational sample of measure textbooks readability. This article is more than introducing existing methods. Measuring textbooks readability of the fourth and fifth grade of elementary schools reading books have been done by using the international prevalent computing methods of readability like: Flesch, Fry, Gunning, McLaughlin, Flesch–Kincaid, Powers-Sumner-Kearl to compare the results of these different methods then the validity of them was done. It is an analytical research in the type of evaluation. The findings showed that results of Flesch and Fry methods were similar and in both methods evaluated books were in accordance with their grades of elementary schools. The results of Gunning and McLaughlin methods in both grades of elementary schools were similar and they determined that “Reading Book” of the fourth grade is suitable for the first grade of the junior school and “Reading Book” of the fifth grade is suitable for the third grade of the junior school. The Powers-Sumner-Kearl and Flesch–Kincaid methods had less resolution as Powers-Sumner-Kearl method showed that both books in the fourth and fifth grades are appropriate for the second grade of junior school and the Flesch–Kincaid method illustrated that they are both appropriate for the first grade of high school. Therefore the Flesch and Fry methods have been the most coordinate with the current educational “Reading books” in the fourth and fifth grades of elementary school.

References:

Barry Carozzi(1973). The Measurement of Readability: Theory and Research in the Measurement of the Difficulty Level of Reading Materials . University of Melbourne
Daniel R ; Stephen L ; Frederick F(2005) ,Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research , Routledge; 2 edition
Dayani M (1990), Determine the readability of Persian literature. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities of Shiraz university , Vol. 10: 35-48[Persian.
Dayani M(2000), Assess the readability of written Persian, legible writing for children and young novice literates ,Mashhad: Digital Library[Persian.
Fazlollahi S and Mlkytvana M(2010) , Methodology of content analysis techniques with an emphasis on readability and the index conflict literature survey, Journal of Research, Vol1, 71-94[Persian].
Hashemi, A.& et al(2010), Content analysis of the socio-economic skills books of mentally retarded students in the first year by Using the techniques of readability (close method, method of images, and review questions) and Comments teachers' lesson , Journal of Education for new ideas, Vol 4, 43- 64[Persian].
Host, Al R. (1994),Content Analysis in the Social Sciences and Humanities, translated by Salarzadah Amiri Nader, Tehran, Allameh Tabatabai University[Persian].
Jafariharandi R ; Mirshahjafari S (2010), Readability formulas as a way to explain the basic content analysis of textbooks , journal of methodology of social science and humanistic research, institute Hawzah and University, Vol. 63:97-116[Persian].
Jafariharandi R ; Nasr A ; Mirshahjafari S (2008), Context Analysis A practical method in social science with an emphasis on context analysis of text book, journal of methodology of social science and humanistic research, institute Hawzah and University, Vol. 55:33-58[Persian].
Jeanne St. C ; Edgar D.(1995). Readability revisited: the new Dale-Chall readability formula, the University of Michigan, Brookline Books
Klare,G,R(1963). The Measurement of readability. Ames: Iowa state university press
Krippendorff, Klaus (2007) , Principles of Content Analysis Methodology, translated by Nayebi H, Tehran, Nay[Persian].
Maleki, H. (1997). Lesson planning (Guide to action), Tehran, madrasah[Persian].
Maroofi Y and Yousufzadah M (2009). Content Analysis in the Humanities (practical guide to the analysis of textbooks), Hamedan, Sepehr of knowledge [Persian].
Rafipoor F(2003), Special techniques in social science research ,Tehran: Enteshar[Persian].
Rezvani R (2010), Content Analysis , Journal of research , Vol2. 137-156[Persian].
Sayedi M (2010) ,Fourth-grade science book content analysis technique based on the book by William Roman and compare the content of the cognitive domain of Bloom's behavioral , Journal of New Research in Curriculum , Vol1. 49-64[Persian].
Shikhzadah M (2008), Content analysis, readability level books to read based on the fourth and fifth grade reading level Gunning , Journal of Curriculum Studies, Vol9.84-108[Persian].
Yarmohammadian, MH (1998). Principles of Curriculum Development, Tehran, yadvarah Book [Persian].