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Evaluating Quality

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Evaluating Quality
Publisher/Authorship

When evaluating a source, one must consider the credentials of the author and/or publisher. Unless the author is a high-profile and well-regarded expert in the field, investigating his/her background may take some added research. The following are ways to do this:

-- Check the national/international association's website to see if the author has received awards or recommendations for his/her work in the field.

-- Search the library databases to see if the author's work has been referenced by other noted authors in the field.

-- Search book reviews and biographical resources for personal and professional information about the author.

-- Check the publisher's background to see if it is associated with a recognized professional organization or institution in the field such as a national/international association, educational institution or government agency.

-- Ask the librarian for help in locating bibliographic reference books that may index the author and his/her work.