Using your university reading list effectively How to recognise different types of text and assess their value for you as a reader

Different types of text textbooks monographs journal articles edited collections electronic information

Textbooks provide a standard introduction to the subject give an overview of a subject by covering key topics may be relatively cheap to buy, and available in the library in multiple copies or as e-books may be revised to ensure the text is up-to-date may be presented with diagrams, boxes of key information, and revision questions

An example of a textbook Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods. 3 rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Monographs in-depth research into a particular topic or issue specialist in content new or different perspectives, arguments or evidence often available in hardback dense and demanding as texts

An example of a monograph Blackledge, A. (2002) Literacy, Power and Social Justice. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books.

Journal articles located in issues in numbered volumes, either in hard copies or e-journals give a short account (c words) of research into or analysis of a topic abstracts (paragraph length summaries) are usually provided new research often appears first as a journal article review articles offer an assessment of new books

An example of a journal article Lister, R., Smith, N., Middleton, S. and Cox, L. (2003) Young people talk about citizenship: empirical perspectives on theoretical and political debates, Citizenship Studies 7 (2)

Edited collections A collection of articles on a topic, compiled by an editor or editors, usually with an introduction A range of viewpoints or perspectives may provide a critical assessment of an issue, concept or theory.

Examples of edited collections Baron, S., Field, J. and Schuller, T. (eds.) (2000) Social Capital: critical perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Paterson, L. (2000) Civil Society and Democratic Renewal in Baron, S., Field, J. and Schuller, T. (eds.) Social Capital: critical perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Electronic Information accessed via a computer can be found as web pages on your reading list at an address or site on the World Wide Web – www. e-books and e-journals (in journal collections) can be accessed via the Library information from websites needs to be assessed critically

Examples of electronic information Bright, M. (1985) The poetry of art, Journal of the History of Ideas, 46 (2), pp JSTOR [Online]. Available at: (Accessed: 16 June 2008) Forman, A. (2010) Using web resources to create tasks with real outcomes, using-web-resources-create-tasks-real- outcomes (Accessed: 6 September 2011) using-web-resources-create-tasks-real- outcomes

Using your reading list for your assignments first check the question to see what information and ideas you need use your reading list to select a range of relevant material Note the full bibliographic details of all items you consult in electronic form or on record cards.

Some considerations that will affect your reading a good place to start reading for an essay mentioned by your lecturer up-to-date or key text accessible readable a good model for academic analysis and writing