EVALUATING BOOKS

PURPOSE & AUDIENCE

• What is the book's purpose? Is the purpose

stated or implied?

• Who is the book's intended audience? How

might this influence its content?

• Is the book a primary or secondary source?

c h e ck in g pu r po s e and aud i en c e :

-- Determine the approach used (fiction, nonfiction,

opinion, or a mixture).

-- Read introductory material.

-- Note the tone and terminology used in the work.

-- Examine the types of information, evidence, and

examples used.

AUTHORITY

Does the author have adequate qualifications/expertise?

• Is the work cited in other writings?

• Are the author's qualifications given?

• Who is the sponsoring agency?

• What are the organization's credentials and reputation?

• Who is the copyright holder? Might this be important?

che cking the wr i t e r ' s author i t y :

-- Use biographical dictionaries and critical essays to investigate the

author.

-- Search appropriate databases for works that cite the book.

-- Read reviews of the book (and other works by the author).

-- Find out if the author has written other books or articles on the topic.

-- Look on the dust jacket or in the preface (double-check the

information).

ACCURACY & RELIABILITY

• Is a bibliography or reference list available so

information can be verified?

• Does the book offer trustworthy information?

• Does the book indicate editorial quality (free of errors)?

• Is the information protected by copyright?

c h e ck i n g a c c u r a c y a n d r e l i a b i l i t y :

-- Examine the text for evidence of careful research.

-- Check if data, statistics, and facts are documented (and timely).

-- Double-check information in the book with other sources.

-- Read reviews in reputable sources.

-- Examine the quality of items listed in the bibliography, if one is present.

-- Check the publisher type: academic, commercial, independent, vanity, etc.

-- Use Books in Print for information about the publisher

OBJECTIVITY

• Is the information biased or objective?

Is that appropriate?

• Is the text mostly fact or opinion?

Is that appropriate?

• Does the text acknowledge the above?

che cking ob j e c t i v i t y :

-- Examine the writer's claims. Are they logical and

reasonable?

-- Examine the evidence presented. Is it adequate and

credible?

-- Read reviews and critical essays about the book.

CURRENCY

Is the information current? Should it be?

• Are current research findings and/or

theories evident? Should they be?

c h e ck in g w o rk ' s cu r r en c y :

-- Check dates on references, if any are given.

-- Compare the information with that presented in

other sources.

-- Check the publishing history (copyright dates,

publishing dates, etc.).

COVERAGE

Does the book adequately cover its topic?

• Are important aspects of the topic omitted?

• Are omissions acknowledged?

• Does the book significantly contribute to the

field/discipline? Should it?

che cking coverage :

-- Examine the table of contents, chapter

headings, and index.

-- Analyze the breadth of content.

Does it meet expectations?