Programmed self-instruction

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS There are two sections to the book the first section contains guidelines and definitions for analyzing research reports, and the second section uses eight articles reprinted from the American Journal of Clinical Pathology as practice exercises. The two-page introductory chapter briefly summarizes the component parts of a research report and poses five major questions to keep in mind when reading any research paper. The remainder of section one then applies these principles to medical research. The second section guides readers in the detailed analysis of the eight selected articles by providing both pertinent questions and detailed answers. Although the content of the articles is highly technical, the approach taken in analyzing and evaluating the quality of the reported research is quite transferable to other health and social sciences. The authors have provided both researchers and practitioners with a useful format for developing skills in analyzing research reports. SA.B. PROGRAMMED SELFINSTRUCTION Nutrition and Diet Therapy: Self-instructional modules, Stanfield, P., 1986. From Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc., 20 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, 362 pp., softcover, $21.00. This is a series of self-instructional modules designed to assist students in acquiring basic, applied, and clinical nutrition information. There are no prerequisites for using this programmed instruction. The target audience is students in nursing, nutrition, and allied health programs. There are four parts to the book. The first two parts relate to basic and applied nutrition; the last two relate to nutrition and diet therapy for adults and children. Each module opens with an outline, objectives, a glossary, and background information; and it specifies the academic credit and the anticipated length of time required to complete it. The role of health professionals is addressed and progress checks are provided. The references are appropriate, and the progress checks and the examinations are problem-oriented and practical. The book's organization is logical and the basics of nutrition and public health nutrition are well covered. I found the following sections particularly useful and well written: reliable nutrition sources and services, food habits, vegetarianism, principles of diet therapy, and feeding a sick child. 104

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Although the diet therapy sections are, for the most part, comprehensive, it would be helpful if the information better reflected practical application. The module on diet therapy for diabetes mellitus does not distinguish well between insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent patients. And there is no module on eating disorders. Also, more consistency would be desirable. For example, sample menus should better reflect the Dietary Guidelines, and terminology should be consistent with the definitions in the glossary. In spite of these shortcomings, I recommend this book to the target audience, particularly to students for whom personalized instruction would be most beneficial. Health professions students, other than nursing students, will need guidance in identifying their roles in the diet therapy sections since this is not addressed. The book is reasonably priced and thus, in addition to being used as a text, it may also serve as an adjunct reference to a traditional nutrition course.

Mary Carey, PhD., RD., Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Dietetics, MGH Institute of Health Professions, 15 River St., Boston, MA 02108-3402.

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BOOKLET Connections: Nutrition, contraception, women, eating, rev. ed., Schwartz, J., ed., 1985. From Black and White Publishing, 18 Cogswell Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, 77 pp., softcover, $7.95. This booklet will be applauded by the growing contingent of women who are taking responsibility for their own health. This resource should help women understand their own special nutritional needs. With only 77 pages of large type, it could be read in one sitting. However, most readers will open to a chapter of personal interest and in 6 to 12 pages find a summary of current scientific knowledge together with practical advice on topics such as oral contraceptives, the IUD, the diaphragm, the menstrual cycle, fibrocystic breast disease, and breast cancer prevention. The author advocates following the Dietary Guidelines and emphasizes the importance of using food sources rather than vitamin and mineral

supplementation to obtain nutrients (listed in the Appendix). When supplementation is necessary, the author recommends conservative dosages; she also discusses potential risks of oversupplementation. Originally written for health professionals, this booklet has been revised for the lay public. As a result, sometimes the author oversimplifies her explanations. For example, she makes the statement that "contraceptives raise fat and sugar levels in the blood." At other times the language becomes too technical, as in the statement " ... sub-clinical deficiencies (lack of overt deficiency symptoms) are widespread." Careful editing would ensure that the booklet is suitable for the lay audience. The author could also improve a confusing chart on saturated and unsaturated fats. It would be helpful if the booklet had a bibliography. (Even the RDAs in the Appendix lack a reference and a publishing date.) Although this booklet covers information that is familiar to nutritionists, some of my non-nutritionist friends were surprised at the "connections" between women's health and nutrition, and delighted that the information was now available to them. The booklet has a lowbudget appearance but is priced right for wide availability. Every family planning clinic and health center should have several copies.

Cathleen Throssell, M.S., M.P.H., RD., Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

DIRECTORY Food, Hunger, Agribusiness: A directory of resources, Fenton, T., and M. Heffron, eds., 1987. From Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY 10545, 131 pp., softcover, write for price. This is one of a series of twelve volumes on Third World issues being compiled under the Third World Resources Project at the Data Center. Earlier volumes covered the Third World in general, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and women in the Third World. The editors have based their work on a "radical analysis" of the Third World, and operate on the premise that Third World problems require radical and fundamental changes in the political, economic, and social relations. Both the choice of topics and the choice of resources listed reflect this self-admitted bias. In this directory, the authors feature VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2 1988