Using Books
One of the main advantages of using books is that you can find one on pretty much any subject. And while you can read the entire book if you especially want to know more about the subject, you can always use the table of contents or index (the better books for research have these) and find the chapters or pages that will give you the information you need. You can also get a good idea from the author's credentials (is he/she an expert in the subject?), the publishing company, and book reviews, as to the value of the book in your research.
|
Advantages of Using a Book
- the subject is usually covered in-depth
- the subject can be put in an historical context
- books can give a more complete analysis of a subject
- some books give summaries of a subject
- books from the better publishing companies go through an editorial process that checks the information in the book and the qualifications of the author
Disadvantages of Using a Book
- it takes time to publish a credible book so it won't provide information on something that has recently happened
- it is becoming easier for individuals to publish their own books without it having to go through an editorial or checking process to make sure the facts are correct or the author knows what he/she is writing about
|
