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Urban Dynamics (SOC 0861)

A Guide to Resources

Checklist

Evaluating Books: Checklist

 

Credibility Is an author listed? _____
Does the author cite sources or a bibliography? _____
Does the author cite formal credentials or experience? _____
Can you contact the author? _____
Do you know who published the book? Are they reputable? _____
Bias
Does the book present information in an objective manner? _____
Are all sides of an issue represented? _____
If not, can you determine the bias of the book? _____
Audience
Is the level of the book appropriate to your needs? _____
Does the content cover several topics minimally or one topic in detail? _____
Accuracy Does the book provide documentation for the information provided? _____
Does the book provide information that contradicts other sources? _____
Does the book include an explanation of its research methods? _____
Currency
Was the information recently published? _____
Has it been updated or revised? _____
Relevance
Does the information add to or support your research? _____
Does the book provide references that are also useful? _____
Does the book provide more or less information than you need? _____

 


This checklist was developed at the University of North Carolina by Suchi Mohanty of the House Undergraduate Library, Lisa Norberg and Kim Vassiliadis, of University Library Instructional Services, and Shauna Griffin of the School of Information and Library Science.