Evaluation of Reference/

Information Source

Evaluation of Reference/
Information Source
Information source can be evaluated on the basis of
following checkpoints for their appraisal. The major
checkpoints for the evaluation of any reference source/
information source should consist of-

Authority

Format

Scope

Special Feature & Drawbacks

Treatment

Conclusion

Arrangement

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL PRESENTATION
OF INFORMATION/REFERENCE SOURCE
Example-1

McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology. 3rd ed.,

New York : McGraw-Hill, 1971, 15 vols.
Example-2

Techniques in protein chemistry/ by J. L. Baily- 2nd ed.

Amsterdam : Elsevier, 1967.
Example-3

Random House dictionary of the English language. edited

by Jess, Stein. New York : Random House, 1966.
Example-4

Handbook of chemistry and physics. 52nd ed., Cleveland,

Ohio : Chemical Rubber, 1971.

AUTHORITY
The authoritativeness of an Information source/
reference source can be judged by the reputation of
the editor (s), consultant(s), contributor(s) or
sponsoring body (if any), which are responsible for
producing it.
The reputation of the editor (s), consultant(s),
contributor(s) may be assesses from their academic
qualifications and experience of the such publications
in past.
The success of an Information source/ reference
source also depends upon the reputation of the
publisher and other editorial staff such as
proofreaders, indexers, artists. Photographers etc.

SCOPE
The scope of a reference book can be judged from
its purpose stated in the preface and introduction.
The scope of variety of Information sources may be
differ from each other. They may be either general or
restricted to a simple language, subject or area.
Their coverage can be comprehensive or selective,
current or retrospective, International, national,
regional or local. pertaining to a subject or a
profession. etc.
The scope of a reference/ Information source can be
understood properly by finding out answers to the
some questions:

Questions :
What is the purpose of the work as stated by the
editor himself?
Has this purpose been fulfilled in the main work?
Does it follow a definite plan consistently?
What is the extent of supervision provided by the
editor(s)?
What are the limitations with regard to subject,
class of readers, up-to-date ness of materials?
What is the overall coverage?

TREATMENT
Up-to-date ness, reliability, simplicity, and objectivity
of the Reference/Information Source should be
checked under treatment.
How thorough reliable and complete is the
information (e.g. facts, statistics, place-names,
names of persons, names of organizations,
bibliographical details, etc whichever is applicable)?
Does it show any bias on controversial topics?
Has the space allocated for a topic related to the
degree of importance attached to a topic?
Has the work been written for scholars or laymen,
adults or children? How readable is the writing?

ARRANGEMENT
Arrangement is of great importance. It is essential that one
should be able to locate information easily and quickly.
Good arrangement adds to the value of a Reference/
Information Source.
The arrangement of the main text can be classified or
chronological or geographic or alphabetical or some other.
The kind of arrangement used should have a sound basis.
Index to the main text is extremely important.
The index should be one providing reasonable number of
approaches complemented by cross-references.
The index can be alphabetically, classified or some other way.

FORMAT
Format refers to binding, quality of paper,
typefaces, pages, make up, illustrations. plates,
diagrams, maps, etc.
Do binding, quality of paper, typefaces and layout
satisfy the minimum specifications (Binding is of
special consideration for bulky works likely to be
used heavily)?
Are the illustrations, plates, diagrams, maps etc of
good quality and well produced?
Are these directly related to the main text?

SPECIAL FEATURES
&

DRAWBACKS
The answers to the following questions will
bring out the concerned information:
What distinguishes it from other Information
Source of similar type?
Does it include
appendices?

supplementary

lists

or

Are the bibliographic up to date and useful?

What are the devices used to keep it-up to date?

CONCLUSION
Conclusion should include overall judgment
about the Information/ Reference Source. It
should also include answers to the following
questions:
Should it be recommended for a library or not?
If so indicate the kind of library, which will get
benefit most.