D is for Date
You need to consider when the source was published. Is the source current enough for your topic?
There are some topics that are constantly changing and updating, and therefore you should make sure you are getting the most current and up-to-date information. For the following topics you should find sources that are no more than 5 years old:
- current events
- technology
- medical topics
- anything for which we are improving our understanding or perspective
There are some topics that are acceptable to find older information and still be accurate for your research:
- history-related, especially from that time period (primary sources)
- comparing past understandings or culture to today's
- anything for which our understanding or facts of the topic hasn't changed
Finding the Date for Books
To find the date for a print book you need to find the copyright date (look for the C with a circle around it), which is typically on the backside of the title page, called the verso page (it has all the fine print). If there is more than one date listed, look for the most recent date because that is the copyright for the book you are using. The other dates are for previous editions.
If you are looking at a library book from an academic library, such as Bakersfield College's, you often can find the copyright date as the last line of the call number on the spine label (white sticker on the spine of the book).
For eBooks, you can find the copyright date where the publication information is listed.
