As students rush to buy their textbooks, there may be more girls than guys standing in line.
Based on a study by professors at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, females are more likely to read textbooks than males.
Regan A. R. Gurung, psychology associate professor, and Ryan Martin, psychology assistant professor, created the Textbook Assessment and Usage Scale for instructors to gauge how many of their students read textbooks.
The scale has four factors including gender, quality of visuals, photo quality and whether instructors use the text in class. The range of a student's GPA and writing skills showed future exam scores.
Although gender is not a choice, two things can be controlled, Gurung said.
"Visual appeal and writing contributes to students reading their books for class," Gurung said.
Students who found textbooks visually appealing and liked its photographs were more likely to read the book, according to the study. The findings suggested instructors change the textbook with the new semester to increase student readership. If students find elements of the book unhelpful, they are less likely to use it.
George Noell, University psychology professor and director, said accountability encourages textbook reading among college students.
"In a typical undergraduate class where much information is given in class, many will not read the book," he said. "A majority of students will read the book if the course calls for it."
Some University students purchase their textbooks for academic success, regardless of their gender.
"I read my books as motivation for grades,"said Sarah Milton, animal sciences freshman. "It's a reward after you pass a test." A few students get textbooks as soon as the class begins. "I buy them more out of fear of failing the class," said Ryan Rogers, petroleum engineering freshman. Others believe that gender plays a role in academic determination. "Girls are more determined to excel and be all that they can be, because men are already ruling the world," said Brooklyn Robichaux, political science freshman.
---- Contact Jalissa Bates at jbates@lsureveille.com
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