Unit 8: Evaluating Books & Articles

Lesson 3: Year of Publication


Consider when the book or article was published. Ask yourself the following questions to determine the timeliness of your resource.

1. When was the book or article published? Look for the date of publication on the title page of both books and journals. How long after author completed the research published.
2. Do you need up-to-date information? Some topics, such as those in the sciences, require current information. Other topics, such as those in the humanities, require older and current resources. Examine the timeliness of your resource. Is it up-to-date, out-of-date, or timeless?
3. What is the edition? Is your book a first or revised edition? A new edition indicates that the author has updated and revised the resource. Multiple editions of a book indicate that it is a major, reliable resource in its field.
   

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