Readability of the Statistics in Action Student Textbook

Statistcs in Action: Understanding a World of Data is Key Curriculum Press’s introductory-level statistics course. In August 2003, Key conducted readability tests using the software Readability Calculations (©1999 by Micro Power & Light Co.).

Three samples were chosen to represent the beginning, middle, and end of the textbook, as well as to represent a variety of reading material (i.e., expository text, activity procedure steps, and exercises). Specifically, the samples came from Chapters 2, 7, and 9. Each sample contained between 100 and 120 words.

Three readability formulas were applied, each commonly used for secondary grade-level material. The Dale-Chall Formula uses a list of familiar words in conjunction with the sample’s total number of words and sentences. The Flesch-Kincaid Formula (a.k.a. Flesch Grade Level Formula) uses the sample’s number of words, syllables, and sentences. The Fry Formula is based on sentence length and number of syllables. Here are the average results for the formulas: