Journal article
Teaching the AP Stylebook to Novice Journalism Students: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Pedagogical Uncertainty and Perceived Learning Barriers
Education sciences, v 16(4), 598
01 Apr 2026
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, endearingly called "the journalist's bible," contains thousands of entries outlining style rules and situational guidance. Designed initially for practitioners, the AP stylebook is a seminal resource at many journalism education programs. Its density and complexity as a learning material inherently poses cognitive load risks for novices-and yet-it remains notably under researched. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study explored journalism instructor axiology, pedagogy, and perceptions of teaching effectiveness when introducing AP Style to novice students. Findings revealed that while AP Style remains a pillar of U.S. journalism curriculum, experienced instructors sometimes feel uncertain about the effectiveness of their introductory pedagogy. They described a hodgepodge of methods and design constraints often incongruous with knowledge of human cognitive architecture. We problematize these findings through cognitive load research, recommend Cognitive Apprenticeship Model principles to reduce load-inducing strategies, and suggest directions for future research.
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Details
- Title
- Teaching the AP Stylebook to Novice Journalism Students: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Pedagogical Uncertainty and Perceived Learning Barriers
- Creators
- Brian Delaney (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityJessica Walsh - University of Nebraska–LincolnJustin Blankenship - Auburn UniversityHannah P. Luz - University of Colorado Boulder
- Publication Details
- Education sciences, v 16(4), 598
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 27
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001749491500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105037087077
- Other Identifier
- 991022182070704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research