Frequently Asked Questions

What did you leave out to make this text so brief?
We left nothing out. All reductions in this text were done either in design, by condensing some material or by moving it to the ECON website (most appendices and case studies). Absolutely every standard concept, topic and term in a traditional principles course is represented in ECON.

So this is a "dumbed down" version of a principles book?
Absolutely not. This text is at the same level as a mid-level principles text. It is just more focused and efficient than traditional texts and students tell us that it gives them a greater value.

There are no end-of-chapter problems! How can I use a book without end-of-chapter problems?
A good number of problems and question for each chapter are in an appendix at the end of the text. These are also tagged with the chapter’s Learning Objectives. Absolutely all of the end of chapter problems and questions from the traditional McEachern text are available to students and instructors either in the Chaper Problems appendix or on the ECON website.

Can students quiz themselves?
What students told us is that they want to be able to test themselves with a chapter ending online quiz on the companion web site that gives them an immediate idea of how well they know the chapter.

How do students get the website? What is on it?
Access to the website is included in the new book price of $59.95 Students get a code that gives them access to the site.

For each chapter, students get access to:
- Flashcards - both online and to printable
- Downloads of the chapter case studies and extra end of chapter problems
- Interactive quizzing to test their progress
- Videos - news videos and “Ask the Instructor”
- Regularly updated newspaper stories.
- Econ debate essays
- Topic links to current economic data.
- Graphing Tutorials
- Interactive Java graphing
- Study games such as Crossword and Beat the Clock.

So students can only get the website only by purchasing a new book?
That is correct. A live access code for the ECON website is included only with a new book.

What about students purchasing a used book?

• When we priced the text at a $59.95 “walk away” price to students we took into account what students told us was an “optimal” purchase experience for them. That is to be able to find a used book at the beginning of the semester and sell it back at the end of the semester. The cost (or rent) to students for that “optimal” experience turns out to be around $60 for a principles split (assuming that they can find a used copy and that they are able to sell it back).
• So with the ECON model, they pay what they believe is a fair price, get a text designed to work the way they do, an incredibly robust resource web site and they keep the book at the end of the course.
• In our economics discussions with students, when asked if a $59.95 student price was a fair price for this product with the website included, the vast majority said yes and still more of them told us they thought it was a bargain.

You say that you offer a Micro and a Macro split for a student price of $59.95. At our school we have to use a one volume combined book. So I guess that means we are out of luck?
Not a problem at all. We will be selling the splits bundled together for a student price of $109.95. However, schools often require a one volume hardback text because in the traditional model it is more economical for students. In our model, students pay way less and are not hauling a big heavy book around campus.

Can the student buy their text directly from the publisher?
Yes. Through the iChapters site, students can buy directly from Cengage. We do offer a discount on the suggested retail price of the text and no charge for shipping.

What if I use Aplia?
ECON will have an Aplia course and just like with our other principles products, students can purchase a physical Aplia bundle in the bookstore or they will be able to use an all digital version.

What is the difference between the Instructor’s edition and the student edition?
The only difference is that instructors get the Prep Cards while the student edition contains the Review Cards.

What about teaching ancillaries?
ECON has all the same ancillaries that you have come to expect with a traditional principles text, including instructor manual, test bank (electronic and hard copy) PowerPoint slides, etc.

You may have talked to hundreds of students, but students do not always know what is best for them. I think I am the best judge of what course resources my students should have.
We could not agree more. Only you know what works best for your students and fits in with your teaching style. We have the largest list of offerings in the principles of economics market. The bulk of our products are familiar texts that have been successful for multiple editions. We offer a choice for all styles of teaching. ECON is a foray into a new model, but it is not the only model and will not supplant our other products or our efforts to offer the best choices to the entire economics community.

Thank you for considering ECON for Microeconomics and ECON for Macroeconomics.

Student Tested, Faculty Approved. We are truly “shifting the demand”