Books and EBooks: Key Resources for the Study of Nursing Education
While journal articles are the "gold standard" for accessing published results of original research, books are an important resource in the study of nursing education as well. Scholarly and academic books contain authoritative information and provide valuable overviews of topics.
Content can include:
- comprehensive accounts of research or scholarship
- overviews & summaries
- historical data
- biographical information
- experts' views on topics; expert analysis and interpretation
Use books when:
- you require background information and related research on a topic;
- you want to add depth to a research topic or put your topic in context with other important issues;
- you don't need up to the minute information--it can take years to write and publish books, so often they are not the most up-to-date resource;
- you judge that publisher, author and content reflect quality and formal peer-review is not necessary.
There are four main types of books found in and accessed through academic libraries (relevant to graduate study of nursing education):
- Reference books provide overviews of topics and are used to obtain background information. Examples include encyclopedias, handbooks, statistical compilations, bibliographies, directories, dictionaries, and atlases. Note that while some print reference books do not circulate ("library use only"), many do. Reference electronic books (ebooks) are accessible just like any other ebook.
- Monographs focus on one overall theme or topic but format, function, and nature of content may vary widely. Monograph print books do circulate.
- Conference Proceedings are published compilations of conference presentations.
- Pamphlets tend not to be scholarly; may support curricula or serve as teaching materials.