How to Evaluate Books and Books Chapters
Ask yourself 6 key questions
What?
- What is the subject of the book or chapter?
- Is it relevant to your research topic?
- Does it add to the information you've already found or provide a new perspective?
When?
- When was the book published?
- Is it recent enough for your research needs?
Why?
- Why was this book or book chapter written - what is its purpose?
- Is it presenting research, making an argument, or giving an opinion?
Who?
- Who wrote the book or book chapter?
- What credentials do they have?
Where?
- Where was the book or chapter published?
- Was it published by a scholarly publisher, like the University of Oxford Press, or a commercial one, like Harper Collins?
How?
- How have the authors conducted their research or made their arguments?
- Do they describe their research methods and cite appropriate sources?
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