Asourcebook is a collection of texts on a particular subject intended for use as an introduction to the subject.[1] The selected texts are typically edited, laid out, and typeset in a uniform format before binding, and the result is often ahardcover book similar to atextbook. In contrast,course readers are prepared by simply photocopying or scanning the selected materials and then adding covers, front matter, tables, and pagination, they are usually bound assoftcover books, and they are usually prepared for a specific course.
In Americanuniversities, a sourcebook may function as a supplement to or as a replacement for a textbook. Sourcebooks are also often the result of the increasing ease ofself-publishing, prompting authors and teachers to assemble their own custom packets of readings which become sourcebooks in their fields. Hence, they may be helpful in academics andeducation since they provide a more diverse range of information.[2]
In Americanlaw schools,casebooks are similar to sourcebooks, offering selections oflegal cases and commentary, forming the basis for analysis and discussion.[3] Rather than simply laying out thelegal doctrine in a particular area of study, acasebook contains excerpts fromlegal cases in which the law of that area was applied. It is then up to the student to analyze the language of the case in order to determine what rule was applied and how thecourt applied it.[4]
Ingames, asourcebook is a publication intended to supplement the core materials of a game. Sourcebooks are usually used to complementrole-playing games andtabletop orwargaming series, and often contain optional rules, scenarios, or other materials that players can use to extend or enhance the central game. While thesplatbook is asourcebook which focuses on a specific fictional aspect of the game in depth. The association ofsourcebooks to tabletop series emerged with many published sourcebooks for gaming like for theWorld of Darkness games. Similar patterns are observed with theclanbooks forVampire: The Masquerade,tribebooks forWerewolf: The Apocalypse,traditionbooks forMage: The Ascension, and so on.[5][6][7]
Sourcebooks may also refer to guidebooks meant for beginners containing instructions, rules or advice as in thehandbooks forMinecraft.
Popular gaming series with many sourcebooks include: