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Unlike websites, books go through an extensive editing and reviewing process, as does scholarly journals. However, that does not guarantee that every book written is suitable for your research. Consider the following criteria.

For what type of audience is the author writing? Is the level of the book appropriate for your needs? Is the book for:

• General readers
• Students (high school, college or graduate school)
• Professionals or specialists
• Researchers and scholars

What is the purpose of the book?

• To persuade? (e.g. behavior, belief)
• To inform (e.g. give results of an experiment or study)
• To entertain (e.g. toasts, humor)
• To teach how to do something (e.g. business plan, writing)
• To give an overview (e.g. dictionary, encyclopedia, handbook)

Is there a bibliography?

Scholarly works contain a bibliography of resources that were consulted. References should show sufficient quantity and be appropriate for the content.

• Is it short or long?
• Is it selective or comprehensive?
• Are references to primary sources (e.g. journal articles) or

        only secondary sources (e.g. encyclopedias)?

• Are references contemporary to the book
• Is the citation format clear and consistent?

What is the organization and content?

• Does the table of contents indicate that the book contains the information you need?
• Is there added illustrations and appendices you might need?
• Is the book organized in a clear and understandable manner?

Is this book relevant to the current research project? If so, does it:

• Support an argument
• Refute an argument
• Give examples (e.g. primary research findings)

Who published the book?

• A university press? (usually more scholarly information)
• A commercial publisher? (oriented more toward general public)
• Government (international, U.S., state, local)
• Professional or trade association, institution or research center? (professional/industry)
• Vanity Press? (Self published or the author pays to have it published)

When was it published?

• Does it provide the most current information on your topic?
• Do you need an older book that gives historical or theoretical information on your topic?
• Are the statistics and facts recent enough for your research?

What is the authority of the author?

• Is the author an expert in the field?
• Where is the author employed?
• What else has he/she written?
• Has he/she won awards?

                                              Adapted from Colorado State and Mariner University Libraries

                                                by Shirley Knight, Reference Librarian, Library Liaison, FYS

                                                                             George T. Potter Library

                                                                              revised March 2007