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How to Do Research

It is estimated that less than 15% of the world's information is digitized. The vast majority of the world's information is available in print-only, much of it published in books. While the Web may be a great source of current information, books are either the best source and/or the only source of other types of information. The key is to know when to search for a book.

The following table provides examples of when books are the best and/or only source of information:

Books are the BEST
Information Source for...
Books are the ONLY
Information Source for...
Background Information
(all disciplines)

Collections of Selected Literary Works
(Anthologies)
Collections of Selected Literary Works (Anthologies)
Compiled Works
(all disciplines)
Compiled Works
(all disciplines)
History

Historical Narrative
(non-fiction)
Historical Narrative
(non-fiction)
Law
(statutes, regulatory code,
and case law)

Literary Criticism

Literature: Long Fiction
Literature: Long Fiction
Literature: Short Fiction

Philosophy

Popular Fiction
Popular Fiction
Scholarly Treatises
Scholarly Treatises
Science Monographs
Science Monographs
Technical Manuals
Technical Manuals


Unit 2: Finding Books: 1 of 3

Why Books? | How to Find Books! | How to Cite Books.

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Last updated: Friday, 02-Jul-2004 16:10:44 EDT