| Type | What It Is | Examples: | Use When... |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reference
|
A general summary of facts, definitions, histories, statistics, and more pertaining to a particular subject or subject area. | Dictionaries, Encylopaedias, Almanacs |
-You need a basic overview of a topic. -You want quick facts. -You want to better understand a topic, which may lead you to new pathways or subjects. |
|
Books
|
An in-depth analysis of a subject, separated by chapters or sections. These are typically longer in length, requiring more time to read and comprehend the entire text. | Textbooks, Academic Books, Novels |
-You want comprehensive, extensively researched information. -You're looking for an analysis of "big picture" issues. |
|
Articles
|
Short works (1-20ish pages) that provide news or analysis on a specific topic. Articles are published in periodicals. | Journal Articles, Magazine Articles, Newspaper Articles |
-You're looking for detailed analysis and research findings from an individual study. -You want the latest scholarly information on a topic. |
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