Identifying, Finding & Reading Scholarly Sources: What is a Scholarly Book?

• Written by a scholar, researcher, PhD holder in the field, professor
• Utilizes extensive primary source documentation
• Uses discipline specific terminology, methodology, theory
• Advances research or contributes to a discipline of study
• May be a monograph or edited compilation of contributions from multiple scholars
• Published by a university or scholarly association

The above book:

• Authored by a Professor of International Relations at Oxford
• Published by Columbia University Press
• Written for academic audiences with familiarity with the discipline
• Theoretical and analytical
• Reviewed by academic journals: Political Science Quarterly, The Times Literary Supplement

• Written by a professional, reporter, political pundit, writer
• May or may not include references or notes
• Uses language appropriate for a general audience
• Is informational but does not present original empirical research
• Does not require discipline specific knowledge
• Typically a narrative or biographical story
• Published by trade publishers (i.e., Harper Collins, Random House
• Might be located in Clark Library's Popular Books section

The above book:

• Authored by an award winning writer
• Published by Random House
• Written for a lay audience
• Narrative or biographical story
• Review from popular sources: Salon, The Economist, Sports Illustrated,, New York Times