SCOPE: This section describes print and electronic sources for locating book reviews.
Why look at book reviews? Scholarly Consensus.
Examining what reviewers say about a source can yield insight and perspective. Keep in mind that there may be a significant
delay between the publication of a book and the appearance of a review and that book reviews need to be examined with a
critical eye. Ideally, you want to see the following elements in a book review:
- A brief summary of the content and conclusions
- A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses
- An evaluation of the significance of the work in relation to others in the field
The first step in finding a review is determining the book's date of publication. This can be done by looking at the left
hand column under the author's name in the General Bibliography provided by Dr. Vann.
Books that pre-date 1980: you must search for reviews by checking print book review indices such as:
- Book Review Digest
LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS
CALL NUMBER Z1219.C96 (1905- )
Indexes book reviews from approximately 100 English Language popular periodicals.
- Combined Retrospective Index to Book Reviews in Scholarly Journals, 1886-1974.
LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS
CALL NUMBER: Z1035.A1C6
Indexes book reviews appearing in 459 older scholarly journals in history, political science, and sociology.
Alphabetically arranged.
- Fasti Archaeologici
LOCATION: ARTREF
CALL NUMBER GN700 .I552 (1946-1983/1986)
- Index to Book Reviews in the Humanities.
LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS
CALL NUMBER: Z1035.A1 I63 (1960-1990)
Indexes book reviews appearing in 459 older scholarly journals in history, political science, and sociology.
Using the publication date, begin with indexes published around the time the book was published and work several years
forward.
After you have found citations to reviews in electronic or print indexes, locate the library's call numbers for cited
journals in the Catalog.
Use Research Port to check if the journal is available in electronic
form.
Reviews of books of all dates can be found in the following electronic indexes:
Click on 
to locate the actual review.
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SCOPE: This section describes sources for locating articles.
For Assignment Two, the first step in finding an article to review is to use the List of Articles, provided by Dr.
Vann. To determine whether you are looking for a journal or a chapter in a book, look for the
italicized title. If it is preceded by the word "in", it will be a chapter in a book. All others title are journals.
Use Research Port to check if the journal is available in electronic
form. Click on to locate the electronic journal. Click on the "Go" button to browse
the electronic journal for your selected article(s). n.b.: Make sure the availability dates match the date of the actual article.
If the journal title is not listed, check the catalog for the print edition.
Search for books and print editions of journals in the libraries' Catalog.
n.b.: Make sure you enter the title of the source book/journal not the article title.
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SCOPE: This section describes sources for analysing an ancient site, including descriptive considerations (site selection, scope, and location) and contextual considerations (architectural, cultural, social, economic, technological, and other key considerations relevant to the research topic).
To find a description and history of the site, as well as a rationale for selection, look in these types of resources:
- Books: Search by subject in the Catalog using keywords: site name and "Guides", "Encyclopedias", "Almanacs"
- Websites: Google the site, country/region/city
- Journals: Use the following indexes to locate articles on a specific theme, topic, and/or site
To find maps for your site, use these strategies:
- GoogleEarth n.b.: you need to download the googleearth software to use
- Perseusn.b.: search by site
- Catalog searching the site name and "Atlases" or "Maps" n.b.: search by country or region is site is too narrow
To find images, use these resources:
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SCOPE: This section describes how to evaluate the content of articles, books, and book reviews.
The process of evaluation should begin as soon as a potential source is located. The goal of the initial examination is to decide whether a source meets some basic requirements: it is written by someone who has knowledge of this subject and it satisfies your requirements concerning scholarship and depth. Begin with the following elements.
Author
This concerns the authority of the source and whether the author is qualified to write on this subject. What education and experience does he or she possess? Is the author affiliated with an organization or institution? Is this author considered an expert in this field? Have they published other materials on this subject?
Publication Date
Currency is more important in some disciplines than others. For example, in archaeology and architectural history a source
which is 10 or more years old is acceptable as long as you check if and where more recent scholarship has updated factual
information.
Intended Audience
Assumptions can be made about the depth of analysis based on the intended audience. Once you have the item in hand, you
will be able to investigate further. Different types of publishers produce different kinds of materials for different
audiences. For example, scholarly/professional publishers and university presses, which publish materials aimed at the
scholar or specialist, may contain more sophisticated research methodologies and analysis.
Once you have the book/article in hand, look at the language used. If it is technical and complex, it is written for a scholarly or academic
audience. Examine the charts, graphs, illustrations, and photographs. Their complexity is a clue to the specialization of the
intended audience.
Coverage
What coverage of the topic does the source provide? Will this source contribute to your knowledge of the subject? Does it
just touch on it, or is it a comprehensive treatment?
In books, examine the table of contents, the index, and the introduction to see what topics the source covers and the
approach taken.
For journal articles, examine the abstract, the conclusion, and skim the article subheadings.
Purpose
Considering why a source was written will assist you in placing the ideas in context and lead you towards identifying any
possible bias it may contain. Is the intent to present an overview, persuade, instruct, or to inform?
For books, an examination of the preface (or even the introduction) may help to identify the purpose.
For articles, examine the abstract,the conclusion, and skim the article subheadings.
Objectivity
It is important to identify if a source presents a balanced perspective. Looking at the purpose (above) is a good start.
Many sources will make an argument for one position over another. However, the source should accurately describe and
address other positions, arguing against them in a reasonable, logical fashion, avoiding the use of outlandish techniques for
evaluating data or discounting opposing ideas.
Look for other viewpoints to be addressed in an impartial way. Look at what evidence is used to support the argument. Ask
where does it come from, and is it credible? Look for sound reasoning and a logical sequence to the argument or presentation of
information. Impartial approaches often critique their own work knowing that others may take up the research and advance
knowledge in that area. Evidence of impartiality would be examples of the author identifying incongruent results in his or her own research,
suggesting areas for further study. Tone is also important. Identify the style or manner in which the author expresses his
or her ideas. Ask is the language emotionally charged or inflammatory? Scholarly writers strive to use neutral language.
Accuracy
It is ethical practice in scholarly circles to cite your sources. Any failure to do so should raise some serious questions
about the credibility of a source. Examine the origin of the evidence presented by examining the footnotes, works cited
list, reference list or bibliography with a critical eye.
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Sources:
Bolner, Myrtle S., and Gayle A. Poirier. The Research Process: Books and Beyond. 2nd ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt
Publishing, 2001.
"Guidelines for Book Reviews and Essay Reviews." Harvard Educational Review. 12 July 2002. Harvard Education
Publishing Group. 29 Nov. 2005 <http://gseweb.harvard.edu/hepg/essay.htm>
