Compliments and Criticisms in Book Reviews About Business Communication
http://jbt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/2/188
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  peer-reviewed

Mackiewicz, Jo M.
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
2007

Abstract:

Research suggests that book reviews in academic journals tend to be positive but that readers prefer book reviews that include negative and positive evaluation. In this study, the author examines 48 books reviews from three business communication journals to determine whether these reviews are mainly positive. She counts compliments and criticisms, analyzing their location and topics. She also analyzes the force of the criticisms and strategies that reviewers use to mitigate criticism.