Unit 8: Evaluating Books & Articles

Lesson 6: Coverage


Consider the coverage of the book or article you have found. Coverage is the extent to which a resource deals with or covers a particular subject. To determine the coverage of a book, skim the preface, table of contents, chapters, index, and bibliography. To determine the coverage of an article, read the abstract, conclusion, and skim the article itself. Ask yourself the following questions.

1. Is the resource relevant to your research topic?
2. Does the resource provide an overview of its subject, explore it in depth, or focus on only one aspect of the subject?
3. Does the resource support or refute an argument, present survey results, cite examples, include primary sources, or cite case studies?
4. Is the resource well-researched and supported by evidence?
5. Does the resource update other sources, substantiate other sources that you have consulted, or add new information?
   

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