Evaluating Books
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Transcript of Evaluating Books
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?