everyone swears by the Campbell, but the smart money is on the academic papers (review papers i.e secondary literature is good)
Academic papers are the pinnacle of factually correct science. But for a first year student academic papers are probably a bit daunting and can be hard to come across, analyse and find the correct information you need - since they're normally written using complex terminology and concepts.
At least with a textbook it's all in the one place and written in a more coherent and student-friendly way. Definitely when you progress to later years then academic papers should become near enough the majority of your source material for specific detailed knowledge, but the first years are typically quite general.
Academic papers are the pinnacle of factually correct science. But for a first year student academic papers are probably a bit daunting and can be hard to come across, analyse and find the correct information you need - since they're normally written using complex terminology and concepts.
At least with a textbook it's all in the one place and written in a more coherent and student-friendly way. Definitely when you progress to later years then academic papers should become near enough the majority of your source material for specific detailed knowledge, but the first years are typically quite general.
Just my opinion.
of course that's correct, but review papers are surprisingly easy to read! it's the primary literature that i'd avoid in first year
of course that's correct, but review papers are surprisingly easy to read! it's the primary literature that i'd avoid in first year
Good point.
I agree above that if it's for referencing then Defos use academic papers rather than textbooks. But if you're just wanting to understand a concept better then textbook is fine for that.