InfoSkills for Global Law

Types of scholarly books

Scholarly books are written for an expert audience and aim to present research findings. While they are not peer-reviewed like scholarly articles, those published by university presses and reputable academic publishers still undergo a rigorous editorial process. These books are typically categorized into four main types: 

• Monographs [NL: monografieën] focus on a specific topic and are often authored by a single expert. They typically examine the background, development, and significant events related to the topic, helping readers understand its evolution within a historical context.
  • Dissertations [NL: proefschriften] are a specific type of monograph. These are extensive scholarly works created to earn a PhD, the highest academic degree, from a university.
• Edited books [NL: geredigeerde boeken] are compilations of articles or chapters on a specific topic, typically written by various authors and compiled by one or more editors. The editor is responsible for revising the chapters for consistency in length, grammar, and style, ensuring they are cohesively organized.
• Conference proceedings are collections of papers presented at conferences, congresses, or symposia, and are often published as edited books. In some cases, these papers may also appear as special issues or supplements in journals.
• Textbooks are reference books organized by topic, designed for use as course materials. These books offer an overview of key knowledge in a particular field and are usually written at an accessible reading level. We mention textbooks because lecturers may permit students to cite them in writing assignments. However, it's important to note that they are not considered true scholarly books and are rarely cited by academics.

Reference works

Reference works are valuable for quickly obtaining authoritative facts, information, or a general overview of a subject.

• Dictionaries can assist in defining unfamiliar terms or concepts. They also offer synonyms, which can help you find alternative terms for your database searches. For more accurate definitions related to your field of study, use specialized dictionaries.
• General encyclopedias provide concise and easy-to-understand overviews of a broad range of topics.
• Subject encyclopedias offer broad, well-organized overviews of key concepts, terms, and topics within a specific field, making them ideal for getting a foundational understanding of a subject.
• Handbooks are detailed and specialized reference works that focus on practical applications, methods, and the latest research in a field. They often contain in-depth discussions and identify the most influential researchers, making them valuable resources for advanced study or professional work.

Dictionaries, (subject) encyclopedias, and handbooks are especially helpful for the initial stages of research, giving you a better understanding of a topic. However, it's important to note that reference works don’t typically include the most recent developments in a subject area. Make sure to check the publication date of any reference work you’re using.

Locating dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks 

The TiU library offers online access to a wide range of dictionaries and encyclopedias. Some of them can be found on the library's Encyclopedias and dictionaries page.

To find encyclopedias and handbooks in the library catalog, enter a keyword followed by "encyclopedia" or "handbook" in the search bar, and then filter the results to display only books. [See Module D for detailed instructions on how to search the catalog.]