Content Analysis Table of Medical Ethics Book Based on Allport's Theory of Value System

Regular assessment of academic textbooks and revision of teaching methods are critical for making such textbooks more efficient in meeting the needs of the new generation and conveying values to them. Therefore, in line with the necessity of textbook evaluation, this research examined the extent to which the Medical Ethics book named “physicians and ethical considerations” observed Allport’s value components. The research was carried out by means of content analysis with a quantitative approach and was categorical in type. The Medical Ethics Book (physician and ethical considerations) published in 2004 by deputy of education and university affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education was subject to analysis. Analyses were based on Allport’s value system. Units of content analysis were sentences which directly or indirectly (their concepts) referred to one of Allport’s value components. Scott’s formula was used to determine the reliability. In order to check the reliability, ten percent of the total content of the book along with definitions associated with value components and related indicators were recoded by a second rater and the agreement was found at 0.90 as the reliability index. The mean of value orientation in a total of 879 sentences referring to values was 146.5±1 with the standard deviation of 2.766. Findings showed, were ranked as social values (30.83% with 271 sentences), religious values (23.43% with 206 sentences), political values (23.09% with 203 sentences), theoretical values (10.35% with 91 sentences), economic values (9.55% with 84 sentences) and aesthetic values (2.73% with 24 sentences). Social values were highly expressed in the book and aesthetic values were dealt with to a lesser degree. Therefore, considering the importance of the matter, it is suggested that the content of this book be revised and take theoretical, economic and aesthetic aspects into account in order to bring balance to even content distribution.