Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health Sciences (4th ed.)

Citation

Shelton, M. (2005), "Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health Sciences (4th ed.)", Collection Building, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 105-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950510608348

After ten years this classic guide to information and reference resources in the health sciences returns in an updated 4th edition. As with any new edition, the reader will find many similarities and differences when compared to older editions. Although many classic works are mentioned, newer resources are well covered throughout the book, and there is an increase in the number of web sites listed that act as primary or supplementary resources. The organization of the book remains the same as previous editions, but there are new chapters. The notable new chapter covers consumer health resources, which includes more resources than any other chapter, but in less detail.

For those who have read the previous edition, some chapters in the new edition closely follow the older edition, although there is some new information, and statistics on resources are updated. Chapters authored by someone different from the previous edition – about half the chapters – show the biggest changes. Although these authors are covering the same topic, it is the repackaging that gives these chapters a different slant. All of the chapters are interesting to read, and they all work well to cover many different resources, establishing a solid foundation on each topic.

Even though this is a very good book and resource tool, there are a few issues to note. Past editions have included a couple pages of definitions in the chapter on medical statistics, but this edition has 14 pages of definitions of statistical terms. It might not be necessary to reserve so much space to cover these definitions. Also in this chapter the reader is asked three questions and pointed to the page where these answers can be found, but the answers are really found at the end of the chapter. Several chapters also include tables which list information about various electronic resources. The reader will find the formatting somewhat annoying, with too much white space on the pages.

Even with these issues, when it comes to learning about reference sources in the health sciences, there may not be a better resource. For people who have used the book in the past, the coverage of updated resources makes this an invaluable quick guide to reference tools.