The text, Web-Based Instruction (WBI), is a collection of works by professionals interested in online education. As Khan writes in the preface, "The purpose of this book is to provide readers with information related to design, development, delivery, management, and evaluation aspects of WBI". Because of the broad range of topics treated, it would be a difficult and lengthy task to touch on all the important themes that are brought out. Therefore, three major themes have been selected for examination. These have beem selected based on certain assumptions, and follow a particular format of presentation:

The majority of readers will be professionals or future professionals working in the field of, or related to, education. This is not an unreasonable assumption; the text began as a collection of works assembled for a graduate course.

Many readers will be interested in a broad introduction to WBI; if they are already well acquainted with WBI they will simply browse through the index to see particular areas of interest. As one reviewer says: "This book represents a reasonable place to initiate your professional reading. After reviewing the issues presented, you will be able to establish where in the professional literature your particular interest lies." (Critique by D. Smith).  There will be a subsection of readers outside of education.