book
A bound, published text generally presumed to have undergone an editorial quality check.
A book is a bound text, generally assigned an ISBN Number, which is produced and distributed by a publisher. Although books are generally presumed to go through a quality control check, they are regarded as a medium-level data source for most fields because so many errors in research and interpretation are possible.
Publication as a book distinguishes it from an unpublished academic paper. A brochure is a sheet or booklet distributed in a different manner, while a magazine is a periodical. Binding alone does not turn an issue of a periodical into a book.
An ISBN identifies a publication and its edition or format; it is not a finding that every statement is accurate. Editorial checking and formal scholarly peer review are different processes, and the publication of a bound text does not establish that it underwent peer review.
Related definitions
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academic paper
An unpublished article produced in university or college research, with journal-published papers classified as magazines. -
brochure
A printed informational sheet or booklet about a topic, distributed in a different manner from a published book. -
government database
A collection of data which is maintained and issued by a governmental agency or authority. -
magazine
A periodical publication other than a newspaper, usually devoted to a subject and issued weekly or less frequently. -
newspaper
A frequently issued publication which reports general news without focus on a particular topic. -
official records
Printed or written documents which were clearly produced by an authoritative source. -
private database
A collection of data which is maintained and issued by a non-governmental entity. -
sign
A posted placard conveying information, used as a data source when its content and responsible issuer are sufficiently reliable.