Writing Research Papers: A Guide to the Process

by Weidenborner, Stephen; Caruso, Domenick

• ISBN13: 9780312206925
• ISBN10: 0312206925
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Bedford/st Martins

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Part One Laying the Groundwork
Understanding the Research Process	3	(6)
Basic Steps in the Process	4	(1)
Some Essential Definitions	4	(2)
A More Detailed Look at the Research Process	6	(3)
Finding a Topic and Forming a Hypothesis	6	(1)
Finding Useful Sources	6	(1)
Taking Stock of What You Have Found	6	(1)
Reading Sources Closely and Taking Notes	6	(1)
Arriving at the Thesis	7	(1)
Preparing to Write	7	(1)
Writing the Paper	7	(1)
Documenting the Sources	7	(1)
Preparing the Final Version	7	(2)
Deciding on a Topic	9	(12)
Moving from Subject to Topic	10	(1)
Finding the Best Topic	11	(2)
Good Topics	11	(1)
Topics to Avoid	12	(1)
Doing Background Reading or Preliminary Research	13	(1)
Tips for Effective Background Reading	13	(1)
Brainstorming to Find a Topic	14	(1)
Tips for Effective Brainstorming	14	(1)
Four Students Find Their Topics	15	(6)
Moving from Topic to Thesis	21	(16)
Benefits of a Hypothesis	21	(1)
Arriving at a Hypothesis by Brainstorming	22	(2)
Dinosaurs' Extinction	22	(1)
Alcoholism Therapies	23	(1)
Four Students Form and Revise Their Hypotheses	24	(13)
Finding a Hypothesis through Skimming Sources	24	(1)
Fred Hutchins
Finding a Hypothesis through Interviewing	24	(1)
Shirley Macalbe
Finding a Hypothesis through Brainstorming	25	(1)
Susanna Andrews
Using Data-Driven Research as a Hypothesis	26	(1)
David Perez
Reviewing Part One	27	(1)
Questions	27	(1)
Exercises	28	(9)
Part Two Searching for Sources
Using Library Resources	37	(9)
Working with Librarians	37	(1)
Kinds of Library Sources	38	(1)
The Library Catalog	39	(4)
Searching the Catalog	39	(2)
Understanding a Catalog Entry	41	(1)
Locating Other Materials in the Library	42	(1)
Locating Books	43	(3)
Stacks	43	(1)
Call Numbers	44	(1)
Books on Reserve	45	(1)
Using Periodicals and Indexes	46	(12)
Periodical Indexes	47	(1)
Accessing Computerized Sources	48	(1)
Using CD-ROMs	48	(1)
Searching Databases Online	48	(1)
Locating Print Periodicals	49	(1)
Types of Periodicals	49	(1)
Indexes to Popular Periodicals	50	(6)
The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature	50	(1)
The Magazine Index	51	(1)
The New York Times Index	52	(3)
The National Newspaper Index	55	(1)
Newspaper Abstracts	55	(1)
The Book Review Digest	55	(1)
Indexes to Scholarly and Professional Journal	56	(2)
The Humanities Index and the Social Sciences Index	56	(1)
Specialized Indexes	57	(1)
Abstracts	57	(1)
Using Other Kinds of Sources	58	(11)
Other Materials in Your Own Library	58	(1)
Special Collections	58	(1)
Microforms	58	(1)
The Vertical File	59	(1)
Audiovisual Materials	59	(1)
Other Print Sources	59	(1)
Interlibrary Loans	59	(1)
Other Libraries	60	(1)
Special Printed Materials	60	(1)
Television and Radio Programs	60	(1)
Interviews and Surveys	61	(8)
Interviews	61	(4)
Surveys	65	(4)
Using the Internet for Research	69	(10)
The Internet	70	(1)
The World Wide Web: Gateway to the Internet	70	(1)
Connecting with the Internet	71	(1)
Getting onto the Web: Browsers	71	(1)
Understanding Web Addresses	72	(1)
Finding Sources: Search Engines	73	(4)
Subject Directories	74	(1)
Keyword Searches	74	(2)
Some Leading Search Engines	76	(1)
Resources for Advanced Internet Users	77	(1)
Complete Guides to the Internet and the World Wide Web	78	(1)
Planning a Strategy for Web Research	79	(18)
Online Periodicals	80	(2)
Journals	81	(1)
Magazines	81	(1)
Newspapers	82	(1)
Accessing Library Catalogs	82	(1)
Organizational and Topical Web Sites	82	(1)
Discussion Groups	83	(2)
Mailing Lists	84	(1)
Newsgroups	84	(1)
A Few Words of Caution	85	(1)
Evaluating Online Sources	85	(2)
A Student Uses the Internet in His Research	87	(10)
Reviewing Part Two	92	(1)
Questions	92	(1)
Exercises	93	(4)
Part Three Working with Sources
Developing a Working Bibliography	97	(9)
Setting Up the Working Bibliography	97	(3)
Books	98	(1)
Periodicals	99	(1)
Gathering Potential Sources	100	(2)
Four Students Gather Their Sources	100	(2)
Reassessing Your Topic	102	(4)
Narrowing a Topic That Is Too Broad	102	(2)
Revising a Topic That Is Too Narrow	104	(2)
Evaluating Potential Sources	106	(9)
Skimming Books	107	(1)
Using Indexes	108	(1)
Skimming Periodical Articles	108	(1)
Taking Notes While Skimming	109	(1)
Judging the Usefulness of Sources	109	(5)
Depth of Coverage	109	(1)
Currency	110	(1)
Bias	110	(1)
Variety of Viewpoints	111	(1)
Primary versus Secondary Sources	112	(1)
Journals versus Newspapers and Magazines	113	(1)
Reviewing Your Hypothesis	114	(1)
Taking Effective Notes	115	(7)
Using a Preliminary Outline as a Guide	115	(1)
Using a Statement of Purpose as a Guide	116	(1)
Practical Aspects of Note-Taking	117	(5)
Using Note Cards	117	(1)
Using a Notebook	117	(1)
Using a Word Processor	118	(1)
Entering Information onto Cards	118	(4)
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing	122	(23)
Paraphrasing	123	(1)
Summarizing	124	(3)
Quoting	127	(8)
Conciseness	127	(1)
Accuracy	128	(1)
Memorable Language	128	(1)
Authority	129	(1)
Quoting Out of Context	129	(1)
Blending Quotation with Paraphrase	130	(1)
Entering Quotations onto Note Cards	131	(4)
An Extended Example of Effective Note-Taking	135	(10)
Distinguishing Very Useful Information from Not-So-Useful Information	142	(3)
Avoiding Plagiarism	145	(14)
Plagiarizing Ideas	145	(1)
Plagiarizing Language	146	(1)
Paraphrasing without Plagiarism	147	(12)
Reviewing Part Three	150	(1)
Questions	150	(1)
Exercises	150	(9)
Part Four Writing the Paper
Organizing and Outlining	159	(11)
Organizing Your Notes	159	(1)
Writing the Introduction	160	(3)
Refining the Outline	163	(7)
The Matter of Balance	165	(1)
The Traditional Outline Format	166	(1)
Phrase and Sentence Outlines	167	(2)
Unconventional Outlines	169	(1)
Writing the Rough Draft	170	(6)
Working on a Computer	170	(2)
Filling In the Outline	172	(4)
Integrating Your Sources	173	(1)
Making the Draft Your Own	174	(1)
Ending It All	175	(1)
Revising the Rough Draft	176	(19)
Reconsidering the Organization	177	(1)
Revising Paragraphs	177	(1)
Revising Sentences	178	(2)
Fixing Overly Long Sentences	179	(1)
Fixing Overly Short Sentences	179	(1)
Fixing Repetitious Sentence Patterns	180	(1)
Revising Word Choice	180	(3)
Finding Variety	181	(1)
Achieving Accuracy	181	(1)
Avoiding Slang and Colloquialisms	182	(1)
Avoding Sexist Language	183	(2)
Using Substitutions	183	(1)
Avoiding Sexist Use of Pronouns	184	(1)
An Example of Revision	185	(3)
Understanding Abstracts	188	(1)
Writing the Polished, Final Draft	188	(7)
Reviewing Part Four	189	(1)
Questions	189	(1)
Exercises	189	(6)
Part Five Documenting Sources
Understanding Documentation Requirements	195	(6)
Types of Material That Require Source Notes	196	(3)
Opinions, Judgments, Theories, and Personal Explanations	197	(1)
``Facts'' Open to Dispute	198	(1)
Factual Information Gathered by a Small Number of Observers	198	(1)
General Information about Source Notes	199	(1)
General Information about the List of Sources	200	(1)
Using the MLA Parenthetical System	201	(26)
Basic Formats for Parenthetical Notes	201	(3)
Spacing and Punctuation	202	(1)
Numbered Notes for Special Purposes	203	(1)
Variations on the Basic MLA Formats	204	(4)
Sources with More Than One Author	204	(1)
Two or More Sources for One Note	204	(1)
Indirect Source: A Source Quotes Another Writer	204	(1)
Reference to an Entire Work	205	(1)
Summary of a Chapter or an Essay	205	(1)
Quotation from Literary Works	206	(2)
Blending Notes into Your Text Smoothly	208	(2)
General Guidelines for Listing Sources in Works Cited	210	(1)
Sample Entries for Books	210	(2)
Basic Format	210	(1)
A Single Author	211	(1)
Two or More Authors	212	(1)
Two or More Sources with Same Author	212	(1)
Author of Several Sources Having Different Coauthors	212	(1)
Special Cases	212	(4)
Afterword	212	(1)
Anonymous Author	212	(1)
Corporation as Author	213	(1)
Editor	213	(1)
Encyclopedia Article	213	(1)
Enlarged Edition	213	(1)
Foreword	213	(1)
Government Agency as Author	214	(1)
Introduction, Preface, Foreword, or Afterword	214	(1)
Preface	214	(1)
Reprint	214	(1)
Revised or Enlarged Edition	215	(1)
Title within a Title	215	(1)
Translation	215	(1)
Volume Numbers	215	(1)
Sample Entries for Periodicals	216	(2)
Basic Format	216	(1)
A Single Author	216	(1)
Article in an Annual, Semiannual, or Quarterly Periodical	217	(1)
Article in a Monthly Periodical	217	(1)
Article in a Weekly Periodical	217	(1)
Article in a Daily Newspaper	217	(1)
Special Cases	218	(1)
Critical Review of Another Work	218	(1)
Issue Numbers	218	(1)
Reprint of a Journal Article	218	(1)
Title within a Title	218	(1)
Sample Entries for Electronic Sources	219	(5)
CD-ROM	220	(1)
Diskette	220	(1)
Scholarly Project or Information Database	220	(1)
Online Book	221	(1)
Online Periodical Article	221	(1)
Posting to a Discussion Group	222	(1)
General Web Site	222	(1)
Real-Time Communication	222	(1)
FTP, Gopher, or Telnet Site	223	(1)
E-Mail Message	223	(1)
Article without a URL from an Online Subscription Service	223	(1)
Other Electronic Sources	223	(1)
Sample Entries for Other Material	224	(1)
Film or Video Recording	224	(1)
Interview	224	(1)
Lecture	224	(1)
Letter	224	(1)
Microform	224	(1)
Sound Recording	225	(1)
Television Program	225	(1)
Testimony, Official	225	(1)
How to Cite Sources of Illustrative Materials	225	(2)
Using Other Documentation Systems	227	(24)
The Chicago (Endnote/Footnote) System of Documentation	227	(5)
Insertion of Numbers within the Text	228	(1)
Basic Endnote Format	229	(1)
Editor and Translator	229	(1)
Essay in a Book of Essays	230	(1)
Introduction, Preface, Foreword, or Afterword	230	(1)
Periodical	230	(1)
Shortened Form for Second and Further References to Same Source	231	(1)
The APA (Author/Year) System of Documentation	232	(9)
Punctuation of Notes	232	(1)
Basic Format of Notes	233	(2)
Punctuation and Capitalization of References	235	(1)
Basic Format of References	236	(1)
Sample List of References for Print Sources	237	(1)
References for Electronic Sources	238	(2)
Formats for Other Kinds of Sources	240	(1)
Abbreviations for Bibliographical Terms	241	(1)
The Number System of Documentation	241	(1)
Format Preferences for Various Academic Disciplines	242	(9)
Sciences	242	(2)
Social Sciences	244	(2)
Reviewing Part Five	246	(1)
Questions	246	(1)
Exercise	246	(5)
Part Six Preparing the Manuscript
Following Format Requirements	251	(4)
Basic Formatting	251	(1)
Following a Particular Format	252	(1)
Creating a Title Page	252	(1)
Paginating Your Paper	252	(1)
Selecting an Appropriate Font	253	(1)
Using Color	253	(1)
Including Visuals	253	(2)
Four Sample Research Papers	255	(68)
``The New Immigrants: Assets or Burden?''	256	(17)
``Emily Dickinson's Reluctance to Publish''	273	(15)
``Cotton Mather's Necessary Witches''	288	(23)
``Solenopis invicta: Destroyer of Ecosystems''	311	(12)
Appendix 1 Glossary of Internet Terms	323	(3)
Appendix 2 Reference Sources	326	(11)
Index	337