Drama Library

Evaluating a source can begin even before you have the source in hand. You can initially appraise a source by first examining the bibliographic citation. A bibliographic citation is a written description of a book, journal article, essay, or some other published material. Bibliographic citations characteristically have three main components: author, title, and publication information. These components can help you determine the usefulness of this source for your paper.

Author

• What are the author's credentials -- educational background, past writing, or experience -- in this area? Is the book or article written on a topic in the author's area of expertise? Who's Who in America, Contemporary Authors, Biography and Genealogy Master Index, or the biographical information located in the publication itself can be used to determine the author's credentials.
• Has your instructor mentioned this author? Have you seen the author's name cited in other sources or bibliographies? Respected authors are cited frequently by other scholars. For this reason, always note those names that appear in many different sources.

Year of Publication

• When was the source published? In print sources, this date is often located on the face of the title page below the name of the publisher. If it is not there, look for the copyright date on the reverse of the title page.
• Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic? Topic areas of continuing and rapid development, such as the sciences, demand more current information. On the other hand, topics in the humanities often require material that was written many years ago.

Edition

• Is this a first edition or not? Further editions indicate a source has been revised and updated to reflect changes in knowledge, include omissions, and to harmonize with its intended readers' needs. Also, many printings or editions may indicate that the work has become a standard source in the area and is reliable.

Publisher

• Note the publisher. If the source is published by a university press, it is likely to be scholarly. Although the fact that the publisher is reputable does not necessarily guarantee quality, it does show that the publisher may have a high regard for the source being published.

Title of Journal

• Is this a scholarly or a popular journal? This distinction is important because it is indicative of different levels of complexity in conveying ideas. Journals are generally published by university presses or scholarly organizations. The articles are written by researchers and usually report the findings of a study. Articles in journals are peer-reviewed which means that a group of scholars in the field review each article before it is included in the journal. Popular press magazines may also be published by organizations but they are usually published by commercial publishers. The articles are usually written by freelance writers or professional journalists, however, they may be written by scholars in the field as well. You may be able to use Ulrich's Periodicals Directory to distinguish between scholarly or research journals, popular press magazines, and trade publications. See an example of an Ulrich record for a scholarly journal and for a popular press magazine.

Having made an initial appraisal, you should now examine the body of the source. Read the preface to determine the author's intentions for the book. Scan the table of contents and the index to get a broad overview of the material it covers. Note whether bibliographies are included. Read the chapters that specifically address your topic.

Intended Audience

• What type of audience is the author addressing? Is the publication aimed at a specialized or a general audience? Is this
  source too elementary, too technical, too advanced, or just right for your needs?

Objective Reasoning

• Is the information covered fact, opinion, or propaganda? It is not always easy to separate fact from opinion. Facts can usually be verified; opinions, though they may be based on factual information, evolve from the interpretation of facts. Skilled writers can make you think their interpretations are facts.
• Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence? Assumptions should be reasonable. Note errors or omissions.
• Is the author's point of view objective and impartial? Is the language free of emotion-rousing words or bias.

Coverage

• Does the work update other sources, substantiate other materials you have read, or add new information? Does it extensively or marginally cover your topic? You should explore enough sources to obtain a variety of viewpoints.
• Is the material primary or secondary in nature? Primary sources are the raw material of the research process. Secondary sources are based on primary sources. For example, if you were researching Adenauer's role in rebuilding West Germany, Adenauer's own writings would be one of the many primary sources available on this topic. Others might include relevant government documents and contemporary German newspaper articles. Scholars use this primary materials to help generate historical interpretations -- a secondary source. Books, encyclopedia articles, and scholarly journal articles about Adenauer's role would be considered secondary sources. Consult both primary and secondary sources when you have the opportunity.

Writing Style

• Is the publication organized logically? Are the main points clearly presented? Do you find the text easy to read, or is it stilted
  or choppy? Is the author repetitive?

Bibliographic Information

• Are the citations in the resource accurate?
• Are the annotations descriptive, analytical, or critical?

Evaluative Reviews

• Locate critical reviews of books in a reviewing source, such as Book Review Digest (available through the Library Gateway) or Book Review Index. Many paper and online periodical indexes also contain records of book reviews. Is the book under review considered a valuable contribution to the field? Does the reviewer mention other books that might be better? If so, locate these sources for more information on your topic.
• Do the various reviewers agree on the value or attributes of the book or has it aroused controversy among the critics?

Web Pages

You can apply a lot of the same criteria when examining web pages as well. Some things to take into consideration:

• Author's identity - Make sure there is information on the site's creator including their qualifications and affiliation.
• Type and purpose of site - Is it a commercial site trying to sell a product? A government site charged with providing information to the citizens of the United States? A site affiliated with an organization? An educational site? Be aware that even though a site may be hosted by an educational entity, the information on the site may be solely the responsibility and creation of an individual.
• Currency of information - Has the website been updated recently? Is the information on the site still relevant? Are the links outdated?
• Accuracy of information - Does the website provide bibliographic information for its sources? Can you check the facts using another source? Be aware that using a website to check the facts on another website may not be enough. Information on the web is habitially harvested and propagated without any fact checking. You may need to consult a reputable, published resource whether in an electronic or print format.
• Lastly, the University Libraries provide access to a number of citation and article databases in a myriad of subject areas. Make use of those resources and of the libraries in general for your research needs.

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