Types of Books
Following lists some types of books useful in scientific research
- Encyclopedias
- Encyclopedias offer a listing of articles, either of a multi-disciplinary
nature, or on a specific subject. They are usually arranged in alphabetical
order, with descriptions ranging from brief to extensive. Encyclopedias can
be single-volume, or multi-volume. Entries often include bibliographies,
maps, timelines, and other helpful material. Examples: Encyclopedia of Birds,
The Water Encyclopedia and AccessScience:
the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Online.
- Textbooks
- These are used as standard sources of information on a particular subject
area, intended for use in formal study of that subject. Examples: Textbook
of Dendrology, (Stryer's) Biochemistry.
- Handbooks, Yearbooks,
Manuals
- Handbooks and Manuals are sometimes used interchangeably. A handbook/manual
provides specific, factual information on a subject. Their content and arrangement
vary widely. Yearbooks, as the name suggests, are published annually, and
present facts relevant for that year. Examples:. Handbook
of Edible Weeds,
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, The
Merck Manual, Manual of Cultivated
Plants, Statistical Yearbook.
- Directories
- A listing of specific information, such as names, addresses, types of groups,
organizations, or affiliations. The information is sometimes arranged by
geographic area, depending on its scope. Examples: World
Environmental Directory,
National Faculty Directory.
- Dictionaries
- An alphabetical listing of terms with definitions or explanations of what
those terms mean. Language dictionaries typically include a pronunciation
guide, and in some editions, an etymological history of the words. Can be
subject-specific or general purpose. Examples:Dictionary
of Inorganic Chemistry.
