Reseaching and Writing : A Portable Guide

by Muth, Marcia F.

• ISBN13: 9780312444426
• ISBN10: 0312444427
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-03
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Brief and inexpensive yet remarkably thorough this guide to the research process is ideal for any course that requires source-based writing.

Author Biography

MARCIA F. MUTH teaches, writes, and edits. She has taught first-year composition at The Ohio State University and now offers writing workshops through the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Denver. She is the author or co-author of several composition textbooks and ancillaries, including The Bedford Guide for College Writers, Seventh Edition (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005) and Harold D. Lasswell: An Annotated Bibliography. Her various projects as a writer and editor have included many grant proposals, textbooks, reports, and other publications.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Defining Your Quest	1	(14)
Contributing to the Conversation	3	(2)
The Assignment: Writing from Sources	4	(1)
Other Assignments	4	(1)
Finding a Reason For Research	5	(2)
Asking a Research Question	7	(5)
Log On	7	(1)
Scan Your Options	8	(1)
Turn Your Topic into a Question	9	(3)
Setting Boundaries	12	(3)
Managing Your Research Project	15	(22)
Planning Your Project	15	(4)
Anticipate the Research Process	15	(2)
Create a Schedule	17	(2)
Surveying Your Resources	19	(3)
Identify the Sources You Need	19	(1)
Use Keywords and Links	19	(3)
Starting a Working Bibliography	22	(12)
Choose a Method for Compiling Your Working Bibliography	22	(1)
Keep Careful Records	23	(1)
Source Navigator Recording Source Notes on an Article from a Periodical	24	(2)
Source Navigator Recording Source Notes on an Article from a Database	26	(2)
Source Navigator Recording Source Notes on a Book	28	(2)
Source Navigator Recording Source Notes on a Page from a Web Site	30	(2)
Source Navigator Recording Source Notes for a Field Source	32	(2)
Starting a Research Archive	34	(1)
File Paper Copies	34	(1)
Save Computer Files	34	(1)
Save Favorites and Bookmarks	34	(1)
Save Search Results	34	(1)
Recording Information	35	(2)
Capture the Essentials	35	(1)
Use a Sensible Format	35	(1)
Take Accurate and Thorough Notes	35	(1)
Read as a Critic	36	(1)
Finding Sources in the Library	37	(24)
Searching for Reliable Sources	37	(4)
Seek Advice About Recommended Sources	38	(1)
Start with Your Own Library	39	(2)
Look for Resources Grouped by Discipline	41	(1)
Using the Online Catalog	41	(7)
Become a Flexible Searcher	41	(1)
Sort Your Search Results	41	(5)
Browse for Items on the Shelves	46	(2)
Consult Catalogs at Other Libraries	48	(1)
Searching Databases: Periodical Indexes and Bibliographies	48	(5)
Check the Periodical Indexes	48	(1)
Consider General Indexes	49	(1)
The Specialized Indexes	50	(2)
Look for Bibliographies	52	(1)
Consulting Reference Materials	53	(2)
Locating Special Materials	55	(1)
Selecting Relevant and Reliable Sources	56	(5)
Finding Sources on the Internet	61	(9)
Using the Internet For Research	61	(3)
Select Your Search Engines	62	(1)
Look for Recommended Internet Resources	62	(2)
Conducting Advanced Electronic Searches	64	(4)
Use Wildcards	66	(1)
Combine Terms in Boolean Searches	66	(1)
Select Limitations for Advanced Searches	66	(2)
Finding Specialized Online Materials	68	(2)
Look for Electronic Publications	68	(1)
Browse the Blogs	68	(1)
Keep Up with the News	68	(1)
Search Newsgroups and Mailing Lists	69	(1)
Find Chat Transcripts	69	(1)
Finding Sources in the Field	70	(8)
Gathering Information in the Field	70	(5)
Interview the Ordinary or the Expert	71	(1)
Observe an Environment	72	(1)
Distribute a Questionnaire	73	(2)
Corresponding With Others	75	(1)
Attending Public and Online Events	76	(2)
Evaluating Sources	78	(16)
Evaluating Possible Sources	78	(2)
Evaluate Sources as a Practical Researcher	78	(1)
Evaluate Sources as Your Readers Would	79	(1)
Evaluate Sources for Potential Evidence	79	(1)
Evaluating Library and Internet Sources	80	(8)
Who is the Author?	83	(1)
Who Is the Intended Audience?	84	(1)
Who Is the Publisher or Sponsor?	85	(1)
Who Has Reviewed the Source Before Publication?	85	(1)
What Is the Purpose?	86	(1)
What Might Be the Bias of the Source?	86	(1)
What Kind of Information---Primary or Secondary---Does the Source Offer?	86	(1)
When Was the Source Published?	87	(1)
Where Did You Find the Source?	87	(1)
Why Would You Use This Source?	87	(1)
How Would This Source Contribute to Your Paper?	87	(1)
Evaluating Field Sources	88	(1)
Reconsidering Your Purpose and Your Research Question	89	(5)
Using Sources Ethically	94	(11)
Showing Respect in Academic Writing	94	(11)
Learning to Become a Credible Researcher	96	(1)
Look for the Details	97	(2)
Keep Sight of the Goals	99	(1)
Using Time Effectively	100	(1)
Following Accepted Practices	100	(5)
Drawing Information from Sources	105	(10)
Reading for Information and Supporting Evidence	105	(2)
Building Traditional Skills: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing	107	(8)
Quote Accurately	109	(2)
Paraphrase Carefully	111	(1)
Summarize Fairly	112	(1)
Using Other Note-Taking Systems	113	(2)
Pulling Together Your Research Paper	115	(17)
Converting Your Notes to a Draft	115	(1)
Returning to Your Research Question	116	(2)
Write Out Your Question and Your Answer	116	(1)
Address Your Reader	117	(1)
Make a Personal Statement	117	(1)
List Your Key Points	117	(1)
Write Out Your Current Thesis Statement	117	(1)
Organizing a Sequence of Ideas	118	(2)
Test a Possible Order	118	(1)
Try an Outline	118	(1)
Consider Beginning with the Findings of Others	118	(1)
Experiment with Your Finish	119	(1)
Deciding Where You Need Supporting Evidence	120	(4)
Support Your Statements	120	(1)
Build Your Own Credibility	121	(2)
Develop Your Evidence with the Statement-Support Pattern	123	(1)
Launching, Capturing, and Citing Source Material as You Draft	124	(5)
Launch Your Source Material	124	(2)
Capture Your Source Material Effectively	126	(1)
Cite Each Source Accurately	127	(2)
Revising and Editing	129	(3)
Using MLA Style	132	(42)
Citing and Listing Sources in MLA Style	132	(2)
Understanding MLA Style	134	(10)
Source Navigator An Article from a Periodical	136	(2)
Source Navigator An Article from a Database	138	(2)
Source Navigator A Book	140	(2)
Source Navigator A Page from a Web Site	142	(2)
Citing Sources in MLA Style	144	(7)
Who Wrote It?	144	(2)
What Type of Source Is It?	146	(1)
How Are You Capturing the Source Material?	147	(4)
Listing Sources in MLA Style	151	(14)
Who Wrote It?	152	(1)
What Type of Source Is It?	153	(1)
Printed or Electronic Book	153	(2)
Part of a Printed or Electronic Book	155	(1)
Article in a Printed or Electronic Periodical	156	(3)
Other Printed or Electronic Document	159	(1)
Internet or Electronic Source	160	(1)
Visual or Audio Source	161	(2)
Conversation or Field Artifact	163	(2)
A Sample Research Paper in MLA Style	165	(9)
Sarah E. Goers, Is Inclusion the Answer?	166	(8)
Using APA Style	174	(39)
Citing and Listing Sources in APA Style	174	(2)
Understanding APA Style	176	(2)
Citing Sources in APA Style	178	(14)
Who Wrote It?	179	(1)
Source Navigator An Article from a Periodical	180	(2)
Source Navigator An Article from a Database	182	(2)
Source Navigator A Book	184	(2)
Source Navigator A Page from a Web Site	186	(2)
What Type of Source Is It?	188	(3)
How Are You Capturing the Source Material?	191	(1)
Listing Sources in APA Style	192	(10)
Who Wrote It?	194	(1)
What Type of Source Is It?	195	(1)
Printed or Electronic Book	195	(1)
Part of a Printed or Electronic Book	196	(1)
Article in a Printed or Electronic Periodical	196	(2)
Printed or Electronic Report or Other Document	198	(2)
Internet or Electronic Source	200	(1)
Visual or Audio Source	201	(1)
Conversation or Field Artifact	201	(1)
A Sample Research Paper in APA Style	202	(11)
Stephanie Hawkins, ``Japanese: Linguistic Diversity''	203	(10)
Using Chicago Style	213	(44)
Citing and Listing Sources in Chicago Style	213	(2)
Understanding Chicago Style	215	(2)
Identifying Sources in Chicago Style	217	(13)
Source Navigator An Article from a Periodical	218	(2)
Source Navigator An Article from a Database	220	(2)
Source Navigator A Book	222	(2)
Source Navigator A Page from a Web Site	224	(2)
Who Wrote It?	226	(1)
What Type of Source Is It?	227	(1)
How Are You Capturing the Source Material?	228	(2)
Citing and Listing Sources in Chicago Style	230	(16)
Who Wrote It?	231	(2)
What Type of Source Is It?	233	(1)
Printed or Electronic Book	233	(1)
Part of a Printed or Electronic Book	234	(2)
Article in a Printed or Electronic Periodical	236	(3)
Other Printed or Electronic Documents	239	(1)
Internet or Electronic Source	239	(1)
Visual or Audio Source	240	(2)
Conversation or Field Artifact	242	(2)
Multiple Sources and Notes	244	(2)
A Sample Research Paper in Chicago Style	246	(11)
Amanda Zeddy, ``Pueblo Indian Neophytes during Early Spanish Rule in New Mexico''	247	(10)
Using CSE Style	257	(78)
Citing and Listing Sources in CSE Style	257	(2)
Understanding CSE Style	259	(2)
Citing Sources in CSE Style	261	(14)
Who Wrote It?	261	(1)
Source Navigator An Article from a Periodical	262	(2)
Source Navigator An Article from a Database	264	(2)
Source Navigator A Book	266	(2)
Source Navigator A Page from a Web Site	268	(4)
What Type of Source Is It?	272	(1)
How Are You Capturing the Source Material?	273	(2)
Listing Sources in CSE Style	275	(11)
Who Wrote It?	276	(2)
What Type of Source Is It?	278	(1)
Printed of Electronic Book	278	(1)
Part of a Printed or Electronic Book	279	(1)
Article in a Printed or Electronic Periodical	280	(2)
Printed or Electronic Report or Other Document	282	(1)
Internet or Electronic Source	283	(1)
Visual or Audio Source	284	(1)
Conversation or Field Artifact	285	(1)
A Sample Research Paper in CSE Style	286	(10)
Susanna Olsen, ``Contaminant Residues in Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) Eggs Nesting in Upper Newport Bay''	287	(9)
APPENDIX
Adapting Your Research and Documentation Skills	296	(35)
Writing Checklist: Editing Your Research Paper	331	(4)
Checklists, Tables, and Figures	335	(2)
Source Navigators and Student Writing	337	(2)
Index	339