Finding Author Credentials

Learning about the authors of articles, books, websites or other materials, provides one approach to verifying the accuracy of information. However, many authors work in relative obscurity and finding extensive (or any) information on their credentials or expertise can be a challenge. The steps outlined below, offer a systematic approach to locating information about authors.
Please see a Reference Librarian if you encounter any difficulties.

FOR AUTHORS OF BOOKS:

Check for biographical information on the dust covers of hard bound books, or on the covers of paperback books. (Unlike many other academic libraries, Middlesex County College retains the dust covers of books added to the collection.)

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION:

• Redo a Author/Name search in iBistro to locate other books by the same author or books ABOUT the author.

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION:

• Check Biography Reference Bank, Contemporary Authors or Biography Collection Complete under the author's name.

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION:

• Look for a book review on one of the author's books. Lengthier reviews may provide information on the background of the author you are researching. (See a Reference Librarian for help in locating reviews)

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• Follow some of the steps outlined in "FOR AUTHORS OF ARTICLES".

FOR AUTHORS OF ARTICLES:

When using MCC Library's databases listed under Magazine, Newspaper & Journal Articles , the following techniques can help you find author credentials:

• If the article you find is available full text or full image, you may find information about the author at the beginning or the end of the article. This is particularly true for journal articles.

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• Where possible, check for a paper copy of the the magazine, journal or newspaper containing the article in question. You may find information on the author at the front of the issue under "Contributors" or under the information detailing the editorial staff and most prominent staff writers. (Of course if the article was not available in electronic format to begin with, you would have to find the paper source).

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• If using the databases on the Magazine, Newspaper & Journal Articles page, try clicking on the author's name. You may find other articles written by him/her which may contain biographical information. You may also find that the author seems to write exclusively for one publication, on one particular subject area. (If this is the case, follow the instructions that follow).

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• Find the website for the publication. (If you are using one of the EBSCO databases, do a "Publication Search". The website will be listed in the details of the publication). You may find the author's credentials listed there.

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• Do a search on GOOGLE or other search engine (not Yahoo or other directories). A word of caution: there may be many people with the same name. It may prove difficult to determine which one is the author you are seeking.

IF THIS YIELDS NO INFORMATION

• See a Reference Librarian or....

• Maybe the lack of information on the author is telling you something?....

Reference Librarians are here to help!
Stop by the Reference Desk
Call us at 732 906-2561
Email us at refmcclibrary@yahoo.com
or Post a question on this Blog.