This book brings together research on epistemology, belief systems, teacher beliefs, and text -- research that is usually presented separately, and in different disciplines. The editors illustrate what a cross-disciplinary body of work looks like, what varied insights are possible, and when the central concerns are beliefs and text.

Ruth Garner, Patricia A. Alexander

Contents: J.P. Williams, Foreword: The Importance of Examining Beliefs About Text. Preface. Part I:Children's, Adolescents', and Adults' Beliefs About Text.R. Horowitz, Adolescent Beliefs About Oral and Written Language. M. Schommer, An Emerging Conceptualization of Epistemological Beliefs and Their Role in Learning. S.B. Nolen, N. Johnson-Crowley, S.S. Wineburg, Who Is This "I" Person, Anyway? The Presence of a Visible Author in Statistical Text. R. Garner, R. Hansis, Literacy Practices Outside of School: Adults' Beliefs and Their Responses to "Street Texts." M.J. Chambliss, Why Do Readers Fail to Change Their Beliefs After Reading Persuasive Text? Part II:Teachers' Beliefs About Text and Instruction With Text.P.L. Peterson, Research Studies as Texts: Sites for Exploring the Beliefs and Learning of Researchers and Teachers. E. Hutton, J. Spiesman, V. Bott, Emerging Epistemologies of Text: Learning to Treat Texts as Human Creations in a "Writing Classroom." P.L. Anders, K.S. Evans, Relationship Between Teachers' Beliefs and Their Instructional Practice in Reading. H. Borko, K.H. Davinroy, M.D. Flory, E.H. Hiebert, Teachers' Knowledge and Beliefs About Summary as a Component of Reading. D.E. Alvermann, M. Commeyras, Gender, Text, and Discussion: Expanding the Possibilities. M.G. Gillingham, M.F. Young, J.M. Kulikowich, Do Teachers Consider Nonlinear Text to Be Text? Part III:Issues in Research on Beliefs About Text.P.A. Alexander, F.J.R.C. Dochy, Adults' Views About Knowing and Believing. J.A. Dole, G.M. Sinatra, Social Psychology Research on Beliefs and Attitudes: Implications for Research on Learning from Text. S. Wade, A. Thompson, W. Watkins, The Role of Belief Systems in Authors' and Readers' Constructions of Texts. C.E. Weinstein, A Look to the Future: What We Might Learn From Research on Beliefs.