SIFT: Evaluating Sources: Evaluating Books

SIFT: Evaluating Books

Stop

• STOP! Do NOT read the source you just found instead:

Investigate the Source

• Do a quick Google search and find more information about the author and the publisher.  Ask yourself these questions:
  • What are the author's credentials? Is she/he/they an expert in the field or an observer?
  • Who published this source? Reputable Academic Press? Vanity Press?
  • Why did they write the book? To inform? To entertain? To make you feel feelings?
  • How up-to-date is the information? How new is the copyright date? Do you need new information? Is it timeless? 
• Remember you aren't doing extensive research; this should only take around 1-2 minute 

Find trusted coverage

• Is other coverage similar? 
• Can you find a better source? A more trusted source? 
  • A book from a trusted author or publisher?
  • A source that goes more in-depth?
• Do expert sources (from library databases & reliable websites) agree with coverage?
• Look beyond the first few results in Google search.
• Use fact checkers to check facts & claims.

Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to their Original Context

• When a book references an expert's quote or research study results, locate the original source of information.
  • A well-researched book will make it easy to find the original source of information through a bibliography or a reference list.
    • No reference list? Google some facts or claims to check the reliability
• Be wary of books that make it hard to find the original source or link to unreliable sources.
• Be especially weary if the claim or quote is:
  • Unfairly represented
  • Being cherry-picked to support an agenda or bias
  • Being taken out of context
• Important facts and contextual information may be omitted if the claim is used from a source who took it from another source.

Academic Books

• These books are written for scholars, researchers, specialists, or professionals by scholars, researchers, specialists, or professionals who are experts in their field. Academic books generally undergo a review process with the publishers, although not always a peer-reviewed process like scholarly articles. However, if a member of the Association of American University Presses publishes the book, a peer-reviewed process is required. For members of the Association of American University Presses, click here.

Textbooks

• Textbooks are written for students (high school, college, graduate) and are generally written by experts in the field. They usually undergo a review process, though only sometimes a peer-reviewed process. Be sure to ask your professor before you use your textbook as a source in your assignment if it has not been listed as an appropriate source.

Popular Books

• Popular books are meant to entertain the general public. They can be fiction or nonfiction. These books are generally not considered scholarly because they are often not written by experts in the field and do not undergo a peer-reviewed process. Instead, they are reviewed and edited by their publisher. Ask your professor before using a popular book for your assignment.

Self Published Books

• Almost anyone can publish their work online or in print with enough money. These books receive little to no editing or review. It is essential to carefully evaluate these works for bias and accuracy. It is not recommended that you use these books in your assignments.

University Presses

• University presses are closely associated with universities and are considered highly respectable by researchers, scholars, professionals, and librarians. They usually have press or university in their name, but not always. 

Government Publishers

• Government publications are printed with taxpayer money and are considered impartial and unbiased. They are printed in Washington D.C., individual states, and local governments. The government has written on absolutely everything. Look at USA.gov to see what you can find on your topic. 

Commercial Presses

• Not all commercial presses have the same reputation. Some strive to publish well-researched and peer-reviewed books, while others do not. That is why evaluating the publisher when selecting a book for an assignment is essential. This list can help in that research as it is lengthy but NOT a comprehensive list of reputable commercial publishers.

Vanity Presses

• A vanity press is used by people who want to self-publish. This means the author pays for the books to be made. This is a red flag, as these presses usually do not have an editing staff or a review process. Be very careful when using a book from a vanity press. Using a book from a vanity press in your college-level assignments is not recommended.