Research Basics | Library Home Page
The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Library contains more than 40,000 books. Most of the books can be checked out IF you bring your library card.
Varies considerably; books may be written for schoolchildren, the general public, undergraduate college students, graduate students, scholars, professionals, lay specialists.
Books in the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Library include those written for undergraduates, lay specialists and general public audiences.
Books may be written by professional writers who research and write on a variety of topics. They may also be written by scholars or specialists in particular areas.
Books provide lots of general information on broad topics. They often provide extremely in-depth analyses of specific topics with background information.
Don't expect to find information on very recent events or issues in a book. Books take time: information has to be gathered, the text has to be written, the manuscript has to be submitted for editing and proofreading; permissions have to be secured; the book has to be published. The entire process can take one or two years, or even longer.
If you are researching a very recent issue, use books instead for background information. For example, you would not be able to locate information specifically on very recent acts or attempted acts of terrorism in a book. You would be able to locate background information: history of terrorism, histories of specific countries, political situations in particular countries.
Books generally reflect the point of view of the author. Some authors will present a stronger slant on an issue or argument in their books. Others will take a more objective approach.
Bibliographies - books generally include these. Look at the bibliographies to determine if any of the books or journals mentioned could be used for your paper.
Research Basics | Library Home Page