Assessment in Education
Book Reviews
Guidance notes on the completion of book reviews
Assessment in Education seeks book reviews proactively (by contacting potential reviewers)
and also welcomes book reviews that have been submitted independently. Reviewers do not
need to be established authorities in their field; book reviews can be a good way for up-andcoming researchers to get published.
Authors who would like Assessment in Education to publish a review which they have written
may
submit
it
via
the
journal’s
manuscript
submission
site
(http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/caie). All reviews are processed by the Book Review
Editor. Book reviews are not formally refereed (using blind peer review) but are judged by the
Book Review Editor in terms of the following criteria:




the relevance and topicality of the chosen books
the style, structure and quality of writing
the overall quality and significance of the contribution
the potential interest and value of the review to readers of Assessment in Education.
The Book Review Editor either accepts, provisionally accepts (contingent upon amendments),
or rejects a submission. In order to avoid unnecessary disappointment, authors are advised
to contact the Book Review Editor directly for advice on the suitability of their review, in
advance of preparation/submission ([email protected]). A positive response does not
guarantee publication, but it could avoid wasted time, e.g. if a review of the same book had
already been commissioned.
Book reviews which have been accepted for publication are likely:




to be in the region of 1,000 to 2,000 words
to have described succinctly
o the author’s aims (stated or inferred)
o the book’s context (e.g. the author’s previous work, the wider literature)
o any particular perspective adopted/promoted
o content areas and themes/theses
o especially noteworthy features or contributions
to have evaluated critically
o the extent to which author’s aims have been achieved
o the style, structure and quality of writing
o the overall quality and significance of the contribution
o particular strengths and weaknesses
to have indicated clearly
1
o the impact of the book on the reviewer
o the potential interest and value of the book to readers of Assessment in
Education.
These suggestions should not be followed mechanically; there is no single correct format for
a book review, and reviewers are encouraged to adopt their own style. The most important
ingredient is a strong argument which expresses a clear opinion in a scholarly manner.
Assessment in Education aims to publish book reviews as soon as possible after books have
been released (acknowledging that the review publication process itself adds an unavoidable
delay). We aim to publish book reviews within two years of book publication.
In addition to publishing individual book reviews, Assessment in Education also publishes
review essays. Review essays generally cover multiple books on a related theme, comparing
and contrasting them, and indicating their collective significance for the development of
thinking in the field. They are therefore significantly longer than book reviews. Review essays
are treated in the same way as normal manuscripts, including restrictions on word length.
Unlike book reviews, review essays are subject to blind peer review.
All reviews should be identified using the following information:





full title
author(s)/editor(s)
place of publication
publisher
date of publication.
The copy editor will add remaining details (e.g. edition, number of pages, cost, ISBN).
At the discretion of the Book Review Editor, an author may be granted ‘right of reply’ to a
published book review or critical essay. No further exchange relating to the book will
subsequently be published.
Note: authors of forthcoming, or recently published, books – who wish to enquire about the
possibility of having their book reviewed in Assessment in Education – are encouraged to
contact the Book Review Editor directly ([email protected]).
Updated September 2016
2