I recommend al-Hakim al-Naysaburi's obligatory manual for hadith scholars titled _Maʿrifat ʿUlum al-Hadith_ ("Knowledge of the Hadith Sciences").
It was translated in full by the Rev. James Robson but is probably out of print so you can try libraries. Try also under the title _al-Iklil_ (the Diadem).

Hajj Gibril ©
[2 Apr 2001]