How to Evaluate Information From Textbooks

Determining the credibility of information is based on several factors.

We have all heard that old adage--don't believe everything you read just because it is in a book. You need to keep that in mind when you want to evaluate information, whether it is from a textbook, an online source or even a blog. Looking for credible sources is important when conducting research and/or writing papers. To evaluate information, there are quality indicators you need to look for. Once you have an idea of how to evaluate information and sources, you will be able to determine a source's reliability based on facts.

Instructions

1. Look at the publication date. This is very basic, but the publication date can clarify for you whether the information is still current. This applies especially to textbooks where the information is constantly evolving and changing. Current sources, those from the last five years, are probably your best source for more accurate information.

2. Assess your author, or committee of authors, for expertise. Research the author's background and look for educational information, any specialty, previously published work, contributions to academic journals and awards.

3. Turn to the reference section. You can learn a lot about your textbook by looking at its sources. The sources tell you where information was taken or compiled from; these make up the foundation of a textbook. So in judging the sources, look for confirmation of the stated information. Apply this methodology to the footnotes and endnotes.

References

• Southern Utah University: Library Research Skills: Evaluating Information
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Evaluating Books