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Breaking Barriers: Books & eBooks

Breaking Barriers

 

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Books & eBooks

eBooks

Using Books for Research

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Books are excellent sources for information such as:

  • in-depth coverage of a subject
  • history and chronology       
  • overview of a big topic
  • background information
  • bibliographies of additional sources. 

A book does not need to be read cover-to-cover to be used for research. To determine how appropriate and useful the book might be, look at its parts:

  • Table of Contents - Tells you how the book is arranged (for example, chronologically or topically) and its general content.
  • List of Illustrations - Gives a list of photographs, drawings, tables, or other types of illustrations used to support the contents of the book. 
  • Preface, Forward, or Introduction - May provide the reader with ideas about the author's intention or purpose for writing the book. Gives an indication of the depth of research presented.
  • Bibliography - The list may be sources that were used to create the work they accompany, or it may be a list of additional materials on the topic. Great way to locate more sources on your topic.  
  • Index - Specific subjects in the book. This can tell you if the book covers aspects of your topic that interest you.