Answers

Not all books are the same! When writing an assessment, you need to use academic textbooks rather than just any book that has been written on the topic. 

Academic textbooks can typically be identified by looking at the author, publisher, and contents.

The author(s) often mention their qualifications and experience on the topic, and sometimes, the university where they are employed.

The publishers of academic textbooks tend to be companies that specialise in them such as: Blackstone’s, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).

Most academic textbooks include references at the end of their chapters or at the end of the entire book.

The Arden University Library is the best starting point for finding academic textbooks for your course, particularly those included in your course's Reading Lists.  

If you would like more help understanding what academic textbooks are and how to find them on the library, book an appointment with an Academic Skills Tutor or Librarian, or email our teams at AcademicSkills@arden.ac.uk or Library@arden.ac.uk