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Source Evaluation: SIFT

Learn about the evaluation tool SIFT (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace) and how to apply it to various forms of information.

Books (Print & Digital)

Books are great for research because they can provide comprehensive, in-depth information and scholarly analysis on a wide range of topics, often offering historical context, detailed case studies, and well-researched insights.  Books intended for academic purpose are typically written by experts in the field, adding credibility and authority, making them an essential resource for gaining a deep understanding of complex subjects. However, it’s crucial to evaluate books for their relevance, reliability, and potential biases, as not all books are created equal. Factors such as the author's credentials, the publisher's reputation, the publication date, and the sources cited in the book should all be considered to ensure the information is accurate, current, and appropriate for your research.

Books are often times much longer then scholarly articles, so keep in mind any time constraints your research project may have when choosing this source. 

  • Citation Information (Often can be found on the title and copyright page) 
    • Publisher &/ Editor
    • Publication Date
    • Title & Author
    • Title of Collection (If applicable)
  • Summary or Description - May be provided by the author or publisher. 
  • Sections
    • Table of Contents -  Chapters and sections of the page. 
      • This will give you an overview of the book's structure and chapters. Identify sections that directly relate to your research question.
    • Preface or Introduction - Purpose of the book. 
      •  Introduces the subject, aims, and purpose of the book, often explaining the author's motivation for writing it. May also include the scope and/or methodology used. 
    • Chapters: Various sections of the book
      • Each chapter typically focuses on a specific aspect of the book's central theme. Chapters may be divided into sections with headings and subheadings. 
        • Chapter Summaries - Some books provide summaries at the end of chapters, which can help you quickly assess whether the content is relevant.
    • Conclusion -  A recap of the main arguments and conclusions drawn throughout the book.
      • The conclusion may also contain broader implication or further research needs. 
    • Bibliography or References 
      •  A comprehensive list of all the works cited throughout the book, including books, articles, and other academic materials.
    • Index - 
      • Use the index to find specific terms, events, or names that are relevant to your research. This will save time and allow you to locate key sections.
    • Miscellaneous -  Books written for scholarly purpose may or may not include the following: 
      • Appendices - Additional material that supports the book's content but is too lengthy or detailed to be included in the main chapters. This can include raw data, detailed methodologies, or supplementary research.
      • Glossary -  A glossary may be included to define key concepts or jargon used throughout the book.
      • Notes - Text that provides additional explanations or cite sources for statements made within the text.

Stop: 

  • Is this book something you were searching for? Read the summary/description. 
  • What is your emotional reaction?  Read the title and summary. Do either provoke an emotion? 

Investigate: 

  • Who is the author(s) and can you find/prove their credentials? Some books contain an author profile or a link to the authors' webpage. 
  • Who is the publisher?  Are they known for being credible? Research the publisher (Found on the title page).
  • When was the book first published and have there been any updates? Can be found on the copyright page.  
  • Are there older editions, what has changed and why? Usually found in summary/description. 
  • How was the research funded? This could indicate a bias. 
  • Am I comfortable citing and having this source attached to my credibility/reputation?

Skim/read the source: Check out the "Reading Books" tab for more information on this.

Find: 

  • Does the original book contain a literature review? This will help answer many of the following questions.
  • Has anyone cited this book? Many databases have Citation References which can answer this. Google Scholar is also a good place to find this information. 
  • Are there other proven credible sources covering the same or similar topic? Bibliography can help. 
  • Is there a consensus, disagreement or new view points? Conclusion and Notes can help with this. 

Trace: 

  • Is there data provided, if so where did it originate? Read the results / data and the bibliography sections . 
  • Can you duplicate the study, with the information provided? Read the methodology section.
  • Does the data support the conclusion? Read the discussion / conclusion.  

A book doesn't need to be read cover-to-cover to be used for research. To determine how appropriate and useful the book might be, look at its parts as outlined in the box below.

What is your research question? 

When you select a book to read, focus on your topic. Look for information in the book that is relevant to your research question. 

Read the summary and/or table of contents first 

Questions to consider: 

  • What is this book about?
  • How much of it is related to my question or area of research?

Second: Read the book preface / introduction and any relevant chapter introductions  

Questions to consider for the introduction: 

  • What do we already know about this topic?
  • Why is the author writing this?

Questions for the chapter headings:

  • Which chapters pertain to my topic? 
  • Are they important / relevant and why? 

Next: Read relevant chapters. If what you've read so far addresses your research question, this should be your next section. Depending on how the book is set-up, you may want to treat each chapter like an article. See "Reading Scholarly Articles".  

Questions to consider:

  • How did the author do the research? 
  • What data are any studies based on?
  • Are the results presented in a factual way? 
  • What conclusions do you formulate from this information? (And does it match with the Author's conclusions?)

Finally: Read supplementary information

 Questions to consider:

  • Does this information pertain to my topic? 
  • How does this information connect with the information in the rest of the book?
  • Does anything stand out? (illustrations, charts, graphs...)   

Review the References (anytime): 

Questions to ask:

  • What other sources should I read?
  • What other topics should I explore?