Secondary Sources for Theology: Books

Books are good options for secondary sources. However, when choosing a book as a secondary source, it needs to provide more than a broad overview of your topic. Books can cover a wide range of topics and be written for wide variety of audiences.

• Look for books written for academics or professionals, rather than a general audience.
• Avoid textbooks. Textbooks provide an broad overview and are generally considered tertiary sources.
• Look for books published by academic publishers and university presses.

Monographs are a specific type of book that provide a detailed study of a single subject or a specific aspect of  a single subject.

• Monographs usually only have one author and cover a highly specialized or specific subject.
• Academic monographs are scholarly works of professional research.
• Think of monograph's as a book length journal article.