Why is a textbook reliable

Authenticity: URLs or website addresses can reveal the following information:. Content : Surveying the content of the website can reveal a lot about the intent of the information presented:.

Describing and discussing correct and error-free information is a vital part of any academic writing. We hope that the pointers given in this article will aid you in finding valid sources of scholarly material. While the verification process may take a bit of your time and effort, being sure of the authenticity of your sources will help you advance in your task with more confidence. Related reading:. You're looking to give wings to your academic career and publication journey.

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Literature Search. Planning to Write. Tips to identify whether a source is scholarly and reliable 8 min read. Shining a light on editorial integrity 12 min read. Predatory and pseudo-scientific publishing: A major threat to scientific rigor and research 12 min read. Top 10 books and other resources on academic writing for researchers 7 min read. Saving oneself from the clutches of a predatory journal: A case study 4 min read. Tips to identify whether a source is scholarly and reliable.

Popular This article is in Literature Search. Jul 31, Reading time. How do we determine if a book is reliable? What should be checked? Related Infographic. A conflict of interest arises whenever there is any…. Related Video. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Research Paper Is a textbook a credible source? Research Paper. Ben Davis June 1, Is a textbook a credible source? What makes a book a scholarly source?

Does a textbook count as a peer reviewed source? How do I know if Canvas is peer-reviewed? How do canvas peer reviews work?

How do I use groups in canvas? Can students see groups in canvas? What is a group set on canvas? What are groups on canvas? What is a canvas group unity? What are the groups? Does the author seem to have a moral or political purpose that biases the argument?

Scholars with graduate degrees in history--either the MA or PhD degree--teaching at a college or university are the best positioned professionally to write scholarly works of history. Other authors, however, like journalists and other professionals, may also write reliable secondary sources on historical topics. If you cannot determine the author of a piece, it is likely not a scholarly secondary source. Consider the publisher of the work. Who published the secondary source?

Is the work published by an academic press, trade press, political party, or advocacy group? What kinds of books does the press publish?

What is the mission or purpose of the press? Does the publisher maintain standards of scholarship through a review process? Academic presses like university presses, such as UNC Press , employ a process of review in which scholars scrutinize a work before publication to ensure that it adheres to scholarly standards. Works published by trade presses, political parties, advocacy groups, and the like typically do not undergo a scholarly review process.