Writing Research Papers : A Complete Guide

by Lester, James D.

• ISBN13: 9780321049803
• ISBN10: 0321049802
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-01
• Publisher: Longman Publishing Group

Summary

The definitive research paper guide, Writing from Sources combines a traditional and practical approach to the research process with the latest information on electronic research and presentation. Step-by-step instruction in a clear, non-intimidation writing style, takes the reader from the selection and narrowing of a topic, through research, note taking, planning, drafting, revising, to preparation of the finished document.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(2)
Finding a Topic	3	(20)
Generating Ideas for a Research Paper Project	4	(4)
Using Personal Experience for Topic Discovery	4	(1)
Talking with Others to Find a Subject	5	(1)
Speculating About Your Subject to Discover Ideas	5	(3)
Using a Computer Search to Discover a Topic	8	(5)
Surfing the Internet for a Topic	8	(1)
Using CD-ROM to Find a Topic	9	(2)
Using the Public Access Catalog (PAC) to Find a Topic	11	(2)
Using Printed Sources to Formulate a Topic	13	(2)
Scanning Periodicals and Books	13	(1)
Scanning an Encyclopedia Article	14	(1)
Searching the Headings in the Printed Indexes	14	(1)
Drafting a Research Proposal	15	(6)
The Short Proposal	15	(1)
The Long Proposal	16	(1)
Explaining Your Purpose in the Research Proposal	17	(1)
Identifying Your Audience in the Research Proposal	17	(1)
Checklist on Addressing the Reader	18	(1)
Identifying Your Role as a Researcher in the Proposal	18	(1)
Expressing Your Thesis Sentence in the Research Proposal	18	(2)
Using an Enthymeme	20	(1)
Narrowing the General Subject to a Specific Topic	21	(2)
Narrowing the Topic by a Comparison	21	(1)
Restricting and Narrowing with Disciplinary Interests	21	(1)
Narrowing the Topic to Match Source Materials	22	(1)
Gathering Data	23	(46)
Learning the Organization of Your Library	24	(3)
Circulation Desk	24	(1)
Reference Room	25	(1)
Public Access Catalog (PAC)	25	(1)
CD-ROM Database Facilities	26
Reserve Desk	25	(1)
Stacks	26	(1)
Interlibrary Loans	26	(1)
Photocopiers	26	(1)
Nonprint Materials	26	(1)
Archives and Special Collections	26	(1)
Library Etiquette	27	(1)
Developing a Working Bibliography	27	(1)
The Electronic Library: Using a Computer Search	28	(10)
Using a Search Engine	30	(1)
Bookmarks	31	(1)
Using a Subject Directory	31	(1)
Using a Key-Word Search	32	(1)
Accessing Online Magazines and Journals	33	(1)
Using Online Versions Rather than Print Versions	34	(1)
Using Gopher, FTP, Telnet, and Other Protocols	35	(1)
Examining Library Holdings Via Internet Access	36	(1)
Using CD-ROM	37	(1)
Using the Printed Bibliographies	38	(6)
Starting the Search with General Bibliographies	38	(1)
Using the Trade Bibliographies	39	(1)
Using a Shortcut: Searching the Specialized Bibliographies	40	(4)
Searching the Printed Indexes	44
Searching the Printed Indexes to Periodicals	45	(2)
Searching an Index to Abstracts	47	(3)
Searching the Biographical Indexes for Authors and Personalities	50	(2)
Searching the Newspaper Indexes	52	(1)
Searching the Pamphlet Files and Pamphlet Indexes	53
Searching the Indexes to Government Documents	5	(52)
Searching for Essays within Books	57	(1)
Using the Microforms	57	(1)
Using the Printed Catalog Cards	57	(4)
Distinguishing the Dewey Decimal System from the Library of Congress System	59	(2)
Collecting Data Outside the Library	61	(8)
Interviewing Knowledgeable People	61	(2)
Writing Letters	63	(1)
Examining Audiovisual Materials, Television, and Radio	63	(1)
Attending Lectures and Public Addresses	64	(2)
Reading Personal Papers	66	(1)
Conducting a Survey with a Questionnaire	66	(1)
Writing a Case Study	66	(1)
Conducting Experiments, Tests, and Measurements	66	(3)
Organizing Ideas and Setting Goals	69	(14)
Charting a Direction and Setting Goals	69	(4)
Using Your Research Proposal to Direct Your Note Taking	69	(1)
Listing Key Words and Phrases to Set Directions for Note Taking	70	(1)
Writing a Rough Outline	70	(1)
Using Questions to Identify Issues	71	(1)
Setting Goals by Using the Modes of Development	71	(1)
Using Approaches Across the Curriculum to Chart Your Major Ideas	72	(1)
Using Your Thesis to Chart the Direction of Your Research	72	(1)
Revising Your Goals During Research	73	(1)
Revision Checklist	73	(1)
Using Academic Models (Paradigms) to Stimulate Your Note Taking	73	(4)
A General All-Purpose Model	74	(1)
Paradigm for Advancing Your Ideas and Theories	74	(1)
Paradigm for the Analysis of Creative Works	75	(1)
Paradigm for Argument and Persuasion Papers	75	(1)
Paradigm for Analysis of History	76	(1)
Paradigm for a Comparative Study	76	(1)
Writing a Formal Outline	77	(6)
Using Standard Outline Symbols	78	(1)
Writing a Formal Topic Outline	78	(1)
Writing a Formal Sentence Outline	79	(1)
Using Your Notes, Photocopies, Internet Printouts, and Research Journal to Enrich an Outline	80	(1)
Using Basic, Dynamic Order to Chart the Course of Your Work	81	(2)
Finding and Reading the Best Sources	83	(22)
Finding the Best Source Materials	83	(5)
Consulting with Your Instructor and the Librarians	83	(1)
Using Recent Sources	84	(1)
Evaluating Internet Sources	84	(1)
Using Journals Rather than Magazines	84	(1)
Using Scholarly Books Rather than Trade Books and Encyclopedias	85	(1)
Using Biographies to Evaluate an Author	85	(1)
Conducting a Citation Search	86
Using Biographies to Evaluate an Author	85	(1)
Conducting a Citation Search	86	(1)
Examining the Book Reviews	86	(2)
Reading All or Part of a Source	88	(4)
Evaluating an Article	89	(1)
Evaluating a Book	89	(3)
Responding to the Sources	92	(3)
Selecting Key Ideas for Your Notes	92	(1)
Outlining the Key Ideas of a Source	93	(1)
Making Notations on Photocopied Materials	94	(1)
Writing a Summary or a Precis	94	(1)
Selecting a Mix of Both Primary and Secondary Sources	95	(2)
Citing From Primary and Secondary Sources	96	(1)
Preparing an Annotated Bibliography	97	(2)
Preparing a Review of the Literature on a Topic	99	(6)
Writing Notes	105	(18)
Creating Effective Notes	106	(3)
Using a Computer for Note Taking	107	(1)
Developing Handwritten Notes	108	(1)
Writing Personal Notes	109	(1)
Writing Direct Quotation Note Cards	109	(3)
Quoting the Primary Sources	110	(1)
Quoting the Secondary Sources	111	(1)
Writing Paraphrased Notes	112	(2)
Writing Summary Notes	114	(1)
Writing Precis Notes	115	(2)
Use of Precis to Review Briefly an Article or Book	115	(1)
Use the Precis to Write an Annotated Bibliography	116	(1)
Use the Precis in a Plot Summary Note	116	(1)
Use the Precis as the Form for an Abstract	116	(1)
Writing Notes from Field Research	117	(1)
Avoiding Plagiarism	117	(6)
Documenting Your Sources for a Purpose	117	(1)
Critical Thinking Tip	118	(1)
Understanding Plagiarism So You Can Avoid It	118	(1)
Rules for Avoiding Plagiarism	119	(1)
Checklist for Common Knowledge Exceptions	120	(2)
Required Instances for Citing a Source	122	(1)
Writing the Paper	123	(32)
Writing a Final Thesis Sentence	124	(2)
Use Questions to Focus the Argument	124	(1)
Use Key Words to Focus Your Argument	125	(1)
Final Thesis Checklist	125	(1)
Adjust Your Thesis During Research if Necessary	126	(1)
Writing a Title	126	(1)
Understanding Your Purpose and Your Role as a Writer	127	(1)
Drafting the Paper from Your Notes and Outline	127	(6)
Citing More Than One Source in a Paragraph	128	(1)
Writing from Your Outline and Notes	129	(1)
Safeguarding Your Work on a Computer	130	(1)
Transferring Graphics into the Text	130	(1)
Writing in the Proper Tense	130	(1)
Using the Language of the Discipline	131	(1)
Writing in the Third Person	132	(1)
Writing with Unity and Coherence	132	(1)
Writing the Introduction of the Paper	133	(4)
Checklist for the Introduction	133	(1)
Opening With Your Thesis Statement	133	(1)
Relating to the Well Known	134	(1)
Providing Background Information	134	(1)
Reviewing the Literature	134	(1)
Reviewing the History and Background of the Subject	135	(1)
Taking Exception to Critical Views	135	(1)
Challenging an Assumption	136	(1)
Providing a Brief Summary	136	(1)
Defining Key Terms	136	(1)
Supplying Data, Statistics, and Special Evidence	137	(1)
Avoiding Certain Mistakes in the Opening	137	(1)
Writing the Body of the Research Paper	137	(5)
Checklist for the Body of the Paper	137	(1)
Relating a Time Sequence	138	(1)
Comparing or Contrasting Issues, Critics, and Literary Characters	139	(1)
Developing Cause and Effect	139	(1)
Defining Your Key Terminology	139	(1)
Showing a Process	140	(1)
Asking Questions and Providing Answers	140	(1)
Citing Evidence from the Source Materials	141	(1)
Using a Variety of Other Methods	141	(1)
Writing the Conclusion of the Research Paper	142	(3)
Restating the Thesis and Reaching Beyond It	142	(1)
Closing With an Effective Quotation	143	(1)
Returning the Focus of a Literary Study to the Author	143	(1)
Comparing Past to Present	143	(1)
Offering a Directive or Solution	144	(1)
Discussing the Test Results	144	(1)
Avoiding Certain Mistakes in the Conclusion	144	(1)
Revising the Rough Draft	145	(2)
Global Revision	145	(1)
Global Revision Checklist	145	(1)
Revision of the Introduction	145	(1)
Revision of Your Paragraphs	145	(1)
Paragraph Revision Checklist	146	(1)
Revision of the Conclusion	146	(1)
Using the Computer for Revision of the Whole Work	146	(1)
Editing before Typing or Printing the Final Manuscript	147	(6)
Editing Checklist	147	(1)
Using the Computer to Edit Your Text	148	(2)
Editing To Avoid Sexist and Biased Language	150	(3)
Proofreading Before the Final Computer Printout	153	(1)
Proofreading Checklist	154	(1)
Participating in Peer Review of Research Writing	154	(1)
Checklist for Peer Review	154	(1)
Blending Reference Material Into Your Writing	155	(18)
Blending a Reference into Your Text	156	(1)
Making a General Reference Without a Page Number	156	(1)
Beginning with the Author and Ending with a Page Number	156	(1)
Putting the Page Number Immediately after the Name	156	(1)
Putting the Name and Page Number at the End of Borrowed Material	157	(1)
Citing a Source When No Author Is Listed	157	(1)
Citing the Title of a Magazine Article	157	(1)
Citing the Title of a Report	157	(1)
Citing the Name of a Publisher or a Corporate Body	157	(1)
Identifying Unprinted Sources That Have No Page Number	158	(1)
Identifying Internet Sources	158	(1)
Establishing the Credibility of the Source	159	(1)
Citing Indirect Sources	160	(1)
Citing Frequent Page References to the Same Work	161	(1)
Citing Material from Textbooks and Large Anthologies	161	(2)
Adding Extra Information to In-Text Citations	163	(1)
Punctuating Citations Properly and with Consistency	164	(2)
Commas and Periods	164	(1)
Semicolons and Colons	165	(1)
Question Marks and Exclamation Marks	166	(1)
Single Quotation Marks	166	(1)
Indenting Long Quotations	166	(1)
Citing Poetry	167	(2)
Quoting Short Passages of Poetry	168	(1)
Signaling Turnovers for Long Lines of Poetry	168	(1)
Altering Initial Capitals in Some Quoted Matter	169	(1)
Omitting Quoted Matter with Ellipsis Points	169	(2)
Altering Quotations with Parentheses and Brackets	171	(2)
Handling Format	173	(60)
Preparing the Final Manuscript in MLA Style	173	(4)
Title Page or Opening	173	(2)
Outline	175	(1)
Abstract	175	(1)
The Text of the Paper	175	(2)
Content Endnotes	177	(1)
Appendix	177	(1)
Works Cited	177	(1)
Glossary: Techniques for Preparing the Manuscript in MLA Style	177	(37)
Abbreviations	177	(8)
Accent Marks	185	(1)
Acknowledgments	185	(1)
Ampersand	185	(1)
Annotated Bibliography	186	(1)
Arabic Numerals	186	(3)
Asterisks	189	(1)
Bible	189	(1)
Borders	189	(1)
Bullets and Numbers	189	(1)
Capitalization	189	(2)
Character Sets	191	(1)
Clip Art	191	(1)
Content Endnotes	191	(3)
Copyright Law	194	(1)
Corrections	194	(1)
Covers and Binders	195	(1)
Dates	195	(1)
Definitions	195	(1)
Documentation of Sources	195	(1)
Etc.	195	(1)
Footnotes for Documentation	195	(1)
Figures and Tables	195	(5)
Fonts	200	(1)
Foreign Cities	200	(1)
Foreign Languages	200	(1)
Graphics	201	(1)
Headers and Footers	201	(1)
Headings	201	(1)
Hypertext Link	201	(1)
Hyphenation	201	(1)
Indentation	202	(1)
Italics	202	(1)
Length of the Research Paper	202	(1)
Margins	202	(1)
Monetary Units	202	(1)
Names of Persons	203	(1)
Numbering	203	(1)
Paper	204	(1)
Percentages	204	(1)
Proofreaders' Marks	205	(1)
Punctuation	205	(4)
Roman Numerals	209	(1)
Running Heads	209	(1)
Short Titles in the Text	209	(1)
Slang	210	(1)
Spacing	210	(1)
Spelling	210	(1)
Statistical and Mathematical Copy	211	(1)
Superscript Numerals in the Text	211	(1)
Table of Contents	211	(1)
Theses and Dissertations	211	(1)
Titles Within Titles	211	(1)
Typing	212	(1)
Underscoring	212	(2)
Word Division	214	(1)
Sample Paper: A Short Essay with Documentation	214	(4)
Sample Paper: A Formal Research Paper	218	(15)
Works Cited: MLA Style	233	(40)
Formatting the ``Works Cited''	233	(4)
Bibliographic Form---Books	237	(13)
Sample Bibliographic Entries---Books	242	(8)
Bibliographic Form---Periodicals	250	(5)
Sample Bibliographic Entries---Periodicals	252	(3)
Bibliographic Form---Newspapers	255	(2)
Bibliographic Form---Government Documents	257	(1)
Electronic Sources (CD-ROM, Internet, E-Mail, Databases)	258	(6)
Citing Sources Found on the Internet	258	(1)
World Wide Web Sites	259	(5)
Bibliographic Form---Other Sources	264	(9)
Writing in APA Style	273	(30)
Writing in the Proper Tense for an APA Styled Paper	273	(3)
Index to Bibliographic Models: APA Style	275	(1)
Establishing a Critical Approach	276	(1)
Using Subheads	276	(1)
Using In-Text Citations in APA Style	277	(3)
Citing Internet Sources	280	(3)
Preparing a Working Draft or Publishing the Manuscript	283	(1)
Preparing the List of References	284	(7)
Books	284	(2)
Periodicals	286	(2)
Citing Internet Sources in APA Style	288	(3)
Writing the Abstract	291	(1)
Sample Paper in APA Style	292	(11)
Form and Style for Other Disciplines	303	(30)
Using The Name and Year System	304	(9)
Using the Name and Year System for Papers in the Social Sciences	305	(3)
Using the Name and Year System for Papers in the Biological and Earth Sciences	308	(4)
Using the Name and Year System for Papers in Business and Economics	312	(1)
Using the Number System	313	(11)
Using the Number System for Papers in the Applied Sciences	315	(3)
Using the Number System for Papers in the Medical Sciences	318	(1)
Sample Paper Using the Number System	319	(5)
Using the Footnote System	324	(9)
Using the Footnote System for Papers in the Humanities	329	(1)
Using the Footnote System for Papers in the Fine Arts	330	(1)
Writing a Bibliography for a Paper That Uses Footnotes	331	(2)
Appendix A Reference Sources	333	(34)
Appendix B Finding Internet Sources for A Selected Discipline	367	(6)
Index	373	(13)
Credits	386