Evaluating review content for book selection: An analysis of american history reviews in Choice, American Historical Review, and Journal of American History

Abstract

This study applies content analysis to compare assessments of 153 titles in American history, each reviewed in Choice, American Historical Review (AHR), and Journal of American History (JAH) between 1988 and 1995. A numerical rating system is used to quantify reviewers' overall opinions and their use of specific evaluative criteria. Study findings include: most books were praised in all three journals; the mean overall rating was highest in Choice and lowest in JAH; little agreement existed in identifying either outstanding titles or inferior titles; reviews in Choice contained the fewest evaluative criteria, but appeared 8.5 to 10.6 months prior to reviews of the same titles in JAH and AHR.