Page 87 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Information and Literature Survey in Social Sciences
Notes What is the author’s reputation among his/ y Look in annual reviews
her peers? y Use citation indexes to find articles citing
y Cited in articles, books or bibliographies on your author
the topic Web of Science (Social Science Citation
y Mentioned in your textbook or by your Index and Science Citation Index)
professor Arts & Humanities Search
Who is the publisher? y Look in directories, e.g.
y Commercial, trade, institutional, other Writer’s Market
y Known for quality and/or scholarly Literary Marketplace
publications Directory of Corporate Affiliations
y Basic values or goals y Search the web for the publisher’s web site
y Specialization y Look for editorial guidelines or author
y Editorial board instructions in journals or on the publisher’s
y Blind review process web site
Is the author associated with a reputable institu- y Search the web for the organization’s web
tion or organization? site
y Organizational mission y Look in directories, e.g.
y Basic values or goals The Encyclopedia of Associations
y National or international Research Centers Directory
y Membership
To evaluate objectivity:
Ask the Questions Find Answers
Does the author state the goals for this Read the foreword, preface, abstract and/or
publication? introduction
y Inform, explain, educate
y Advocate
y Persuade or dissuade
y Sell a product or service
y Serve as a soapbox
Does the author exhibit a particular bias? y Read the abstract and/or introduction
y Commitment to a point of view y Examine the work for
y Acknowledgement of bias Inflammatory language
y Presentation of facts and arguments for both Images or graphic styles (e.g., text in color
sides of a controversial issue or boldface type) to persuade you of the
y Language free of emotion-arousing words author’s point of view
and bias Propaganda
Author’s arguments or supporting facts
Author’s conclusions
Bibliography that includes multiple
points of view
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