This is more of a problem for some topics than others. You may not need to read an entire book to get the information you need from it. Look at its table of contents or index, if there is one, to see where your specific interest is addressed. In a research strategy , use books for a thorough, detailed exploration of a subject or issue, or for obtaining many perspectives on one subject. Books are often helpful in providing historical context for current issues.
Periodical articles provide the most current form of printed information.
Some are now available in electronic formats that are updated every few minutes. Many issues, events, and ideas are discussed in periodicals long before they appear in books. Periodical articles have a much narrower scope than books do, but sometimes they include very precise details not given in books. In many areas of study, periodical articles are the main way in which opinions and research findings are communicated. In a research strategy , use periodical articles for very current or finely focused information.