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(same record as previous page)

Where is this information coming from? Generally, well known publishers (Simon and Schuster, Knopf, Wiley and Sons, University Press) tend to have strict editorial and publishing guidelines; therefore, books published by these companies tend to be more reliable than others.

Let's look again at the publisher.

The book was published by Cornell University Press. While University Press publications do not guarantee the worth of a book, they do ensure a degree of quality that might not be found with an unknown publisher. Would you rather quote a book from Cornell University Press or one from UCANPUBLISHTOO?

When was it written? Look at the publication date. If your subject requires currency, a book or article published in 1979 is probably not a good source. Remember, for the discipline of science, timeliness of information is critical, and scholarly or professional journals may be your best source of information. On the other hand, if your topic is "shag carpeting and polyester leisure suits and static electricity," a 1979 book may be just what you need.

Let's look at the sample record and check the publication date.

The book was published in 1990. The topic of the Holocaust does not require currency. Initial accounts from right after the war (1945) to interviews with survivors today would be appropriate.

Why was it written? You will probably have to look at the introduction or the dust jacket of the book to find out. You might also find the reasons behind writing the book.

How is it presented? For this step in evaluation, you obviously have to look at the book.

We have seen that you can answer many questions about the book by simply reading the entire record.

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