Books (you can try to find these though the library catalog, through Google Books, and using bibliographies in various sources):
- bring together research done by others and usually save time over finding journal articles
- don't have to be read in full
- need to be judged with some consideration to the publication date. Is the content historic or dated?
- usually can't be right up to date
Encyclopedia Articles (library encyclopedias are often found though the databases --- If you aren't sure of an example of an encyclopedia article, think of Wikipedia):
- give a summary of a topic --- usually not too long
- should give sources to verify the information and to send the reader to more on the topic
- good for getting started with a topic, getting an overview, and for understanding some basics
- usually can't be right up to date
Journal/Magazine/Newspaper Articles (we recommend using library databases to help find these and you might also find citations through bibliographies):
- a newer article can help update an older book
- may give details on information summarized in a book
- may be the only account of some research or event
- can describe recent developments on a topic
Special Databases index and give access to information we don't always remember to check:
- Sites like CityLab and Planetizen for news about cities and urban planning
- documents of the European Union and other inter-governmental and international groups
- statistical information
