ABST 1104: Canadian Aboriginal Policy (Miranda-Barrios)

Books are an excellent place to start your research. Unlike scholarly journal articles (which tend to be quite narrowly focused), books provide a broader overview of a topic that is often helpful in the early stages of your research.

Search the library catalogue for books on your topic below:

Generally speaking, there are two types of books: academic (or scholarly) books and popular books. 

Scholarly books are where academics (e.g. researchers, professors) publish their research findings. Popular books, on the other hand, are written for the general public.

Not sure if a book is academic? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who is the publisher? Look at the copyright page. If the book is published by a university press or academic publisher, it is likely scholarly in nature. You may need to Google the publisher to learn about their focus (look for an About page on the company website). 
• Who is the author? Look for a biographical note in the book, or Google the author's name. If they are an academic/employed by a university, the book is likely scholarly in nature.
• What type of language does the book use? Academic books are written by scholars for scholars; for this reason, the language may be specialized. Popular books use language that everyone, including non-specialists, can understand. 
• Does the book have citations/references? Citations and References lists suggest that the information is well researched and reliable. 

Note: There are many kinds of expertise, including lived experience. If your book does not meet all of the criteria above, but you feel like it is an important addition to your assignment, check with your instructor.