URISA Journal Guidelines for Preparing Book Reviews
General Comments
A book review should provide an overview of the contents and an evaluation of
the book's relevance. However, more than a summary of contents should be
provided. The review should address additionally the main ideas,
approaches and interpretations of the author. A good review
should provoke reflection on the part of the reader. Both the
strengths and weaknesses of the book should be addressed.
The following phrases may be helpful in suggesting a subset of
points to address in the body of the review:
Purpose of the book? Interesting and relevant to the readership
of the URISA Journal? Intended for information system
practitioners in government, the commercial sector or academia?
Intended for a wider audience that may include information system
practitioners and students? Related to one or more of the general
topics addressed by the mission statement of the URISA Journal?
Which ones? An edited book with numerous authors? Worthwhile
contribution to the existing literature? How is it different or
what does it add? Accurate? Clear? Concise? Interesting?
Well-organized? Flow well? Up to date? Authoritative? Adequately
tied to the relevant literature? Figures, tables, and photos
worthwhile and appropriate? More or fewer figures, tables and
photos desirable? Quality of print, cover and binding? Author's
writing style works well with the material? Valuable as resource
for students, entry-level practitioners, technical staff,
managers, experienced practitioners, educators, researchers? Of
use in the classroom? Reference text for a library? Conclusions
or summary appropriate and supported by the content?
Format of the Book Review:
At the beginning of the review, include:
Title of book (with edition if appropriate)
Names of authors or editors
Year of publication
Name and complete address of publisher
Number of pages, ISBN number, and whether available in hard or
paper cover
The text of the review should run typically from 1000 to 1500
words, no more.
At the end of the review, include for publication:
Your name, degree, title, organizational affiliation, city,
state, and email address.
Submission Process:
Submit the book review electronically to Rebecca Somers, URISA
Journal Book Review Editor, at sstcl@aol.com (with copies to
onsrud@spatial.maine.edu and sgrams@urisa.org). Do this before
your deadline specified in the list of books.
If you made an authorized purchase of the book and want reimbursement from URISA in
return for providing a publishable review, please provide a hard
copy of your purchase receipt or other proof of purchase (e.g.
credit card statement) to:
Publications Director, URISA, 1460 Renaissance Drive, Suite 305, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Books Under Review by the URISA Journal