Advantages: Scholarly books contain authoritative information and this can include comprehensive accounts of research or scholarship, historical data, overviews, experts' views on themes/topics.
Disadvantages: Because it can take years, in some instances, to write and publish books, they are not always the best sources for current topic.
Use an e-book or book when you require background information and related research on a topic, when you want to add depth to a research topic or put your topic in context with other important issues.
Before you use an e-book or book for your research, ask yourself questions about its:
Is the author an expert in the field? |
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Has the author written other publications? |
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What are the publisher's credentials? |
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Is the information current and up-to-date? Does it need to be? |
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Does the content answer part of your research question? |
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Who is the intended audience for the book? |
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What sources did the author use? |
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Is there bias? |
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Note: Multiple editions indicate the book is well regarded enough to have been through revisions and has been updated.