Evaluating Books

The Giovale Library strives to create a collection of books and ebooks that cover a wide variety of topics and diverse points of view. Although we may have several books on your topic, not every book you find is going to be just right for the assignment on which you are working.

There are a number of important questions you need to ask about a book before you decide whether to use it in your research:

• Is this a scholarly resource?

  For example, is it from a university press? Does it include a bibliography?

• What is the authority of the author(s)?

  For example, are the author's credentials listed? By what right can the author claim to be an expert on this topic?

• Is the information relevant?

  For example, is the evidence you plan to use from this book directly related to your thesis? Is the information in this book compelling enough to make you want to change your thesis?

• What is the depth/breadth of this resource?

  For example, does this book contain in-depth, comprehensive information about your topic, or just gloss over it on a page or two?

• Is it on the appropriate level?

  For example, the Library has a number of materials for young readers. Such a book may not be suitable for your purpose.

You should discuss your research with your instructor frequently during the semester; as you discover books related to your topic, your instructor can help you choose the books that are best for your assignment.