Reference books, which include encyclopedias, handbooks, manuals, dictionaries, and almanacs, are useful for getting quick specific facts or information or an overview of a subject. Some encyclopedias are subject specific, while others may be more general. Many specialized reference books are written by experts.
Scholarly books are written by experts for other experts and published by a university press or other academic publisher. They also contain references to outside research. Use scholarly books or book chapters when you need more depth on a topic.
"How to Read a Book for Research" (2:29) by RIT Libraries
Use the table of contents and index to identify pages and chapters that could be useful for your research.
Definitions from Cayuga Community College Library