Writing Research Papers: A Norton Guide

by Walker, Melissa

• ISBN13: 9780393971088
• ISBN10: 0393971082
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-11-17
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Summary

This in-depth, process-oriented guide takes students through the research process step-by-step, following five students from across the disciplines throughout their research projects-from developing interests, investigating sources, and focusing ideas to drafting, revising, and producing finished papers.

Table of Contents

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION	XV
1 UNDERSTANDING WHAT RESEARCH IS	1	(11)
An Introduction to Research	1	(5)
EXPLORING	2	(3)
Checklist 1: Evaluating Sources	4	(1)
REPORTING	5	(1)
An Introduction to Resources	6	(3)
THE LIBRARY	6	(1)
OTHER ACADEMIC RESOURCES	7	(1)
THE INTERNET	7	(1)
THE COMMUNITY	8	(1)
PEOPLE	9	(1)
Research as a Vocation	9	(1)
Activities	10	(2)
2 CHOOSING A TOPIC	12	(17)
Five Important Activities	12	(6)
BUDGETING TIME	13	(1)
FOLLOWING INTERESTS	13	(1)
LETTING IDEAS BREW	14	(2)
ASKING QUESTIONS	16	(1)
MAKING A COMMITMENT	17	(1)
Brainstorming	18	(1)
Exploring a Broad Subject	18	(2)
Focusing a Subject	20	(4)
Adapting the Assigned Topic	24	(2)
Activities	26	(3)
3 IDENTIFYING LIBRARY SOURCES	29	(36)
Libraries and Librarians	29	(2)
Checklist 2: Getting to Know Your Library	30	(1)
The Reference Section	31	(7)
GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS	33	(3)
ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEXES AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES	36	(2)
SPECIALIZED REFERENCE WORKS	38	(1)
The Periodical Section	38	(5)
PERIODICAL INDEXES	39	(2)
NEWSPAPER INDEXES	41	(1)
GENERAL INDEXES TO SCHOLARLY ARTICLES	42	(1)
INDEXES TO SPECIFIC DISCIPLINES	42	(1)
CATALOG OF A LIBRARY'S PERIODICALS	42	(1)
Computerized or Electronic Information Retrieval	43	(5)
PHOTOCOPYING FROM MICROFORM READERS	44	(1)
CD-ROM INFORMATION DATA SOURCES	44	(1)
PRINTING INFORMATION FROM CD-ROMS	44	(1)
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING CD-ROMS	44	(1)
PERIODICAL INDEXES ON CD-ROM	45	(1)
OTHER TEXTS AND DATABASES ON CD-ROM	46	(2)
Learning When and How to Use the Internet	48	(2)
FINDING SOURCES ON THE INTERNET	49	(1)
SOURCES AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN ONE FORM	49	(1)
The Main Library Catalog	50	(7)
THE COMPUTERIZED CATALOG	51	(1)
THE CARD CATALOG	52	(1)
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR LIBRARY MATERIALS	52	(4)
DECIPHERING THE CODE	56	(1)
CATALOGS OF LIBRARIES AROUND THE WORLD	56	(1)
Other Book Catalogs	57	(1)
The Circulation Desk	57	(1)
The Stacks	58	(1)
The Microform and Nonprint Collection	58	(1)
The Reserve Book Section	58	(1)
Special Collections	59	(1)
Library Services	59	(3)
ASSISTANCE IN FINDING INFORMATION	59	(1)
INSTRUCTION IN LIBRARY USE	60	(1)
ASSISTANCE WITH A COMPUTER SEARCH	60	(1)
ASSISTANCE WITH MICROFORM, CD-ROM, OR ONLINE SOURCES	60	(1)
STUDY AREAS AND STORAGE SPACE	61	(1)
COPYING SERVICES	61	(1)
INTERLIBRARY SERVICES	61	(1)
Activities	62	(2)
Project Activity	64	(1)
4 USING LIBRARY SOURCES	65	(21)
Preparing to Work in the Library	65	(5)
Checklist 3: Preparing to Work in the Library	65	(1)
USING A COMPUTER IN THE LIBRARY	66	(1)
SELECTING WRITING MATERIALS	66	(1)
USING THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION STYLE	66	(1)
ABOUT STYLE MANUALS	67	(1)
REVIEWING AVAILABLE SOURCES	67	(1)
COLLECTING SOURCES	68	(1)
Checklist 4: Collecting Sources	68	(1)
DEFINING AND EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW	69	(1)
Planning a Search Strategy	70	(3)
USING A LIBRARY NETWORK	71	(1)
IDENTIFYING SUBJECT HEADINGS	71	(1)
FINDING THE RIGHT DATE	71	(1)
USING APPROPRIATE SEARCH TERMS	72	(1)
PRINTING SOURCE CITATIONS DIRECTLY FROM THE COMPUTER	72	(1)
Making Source Cards	73	(4)
Checklist 5: Making Source Cards	74	(1)
ELECTRONIC SOURCE CARDS	75	(2)
Taking Preliminary Notes and Classifying Sources	77	(1)
Evaluating Sources	78	(4)
Reading Effectively	82	(1)
Returning to the Library	83	(1)
Activity	84	(1)
Project Activities	84	(2)
5 USING THE INTERNET AND SEARCHING BEYOND THE LIBRARY	86	(27)
The Internet	86	(1)
Using the Internet at Your College	87	(1)
Using the Internet for Research	88	(5)
E-MAIL	88	(1)
MAILING LISTS AND NEWSGROUPS	89	(1)
THE WORLD WIDE WEB	89	(1)
GOPHER	90	(3)
Evaluating Internet Sources	93	(1)
Learning Directly from People	94	(1)
Deciding When to Ask Questions	94	(2)
Checklist 6: Evaluating Internet Sources	95	(1)
Contacting People	96	(7)
POSTING NOTICES	96	(1)
Checklist 7: Contacting People	97	(1)
FINDING ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT	97	(1)
REACHING THE RIGHT PEOPLE	98	(1)
CHOOSING AN INTERVIEW METHOD	98	(1)
WRITING LETTERS	99	(3)
MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS	102	(1)
MAKING APPOINTMENTS	102	(1)
Conducting a Successful Interview	103	(2)
ASKING THE FIRST QUESTION	103	(1)
LEADING PEOPLE TO TALK	103	(1)
DEVELOPING PATIENCE	104	(1)
Checklist 8: Developing Interviewing Skills	104	(1)
Recording Oral Responses	105	(1)
TAKING NOTES	105	(1)
MAKING A TAPE RECORDING	105	(1)
Checklist 9: Recording an Interview	106	(1)
TRANSCRIBING A RECORDING	106	(1)
A Sample Interview	106	(4)
Activities	110	(2)
Project Activities	112	(1)
6 RECORDING INFORMATION	113	(25)
Taking Notes	113	(4)
USING A COMPUTER FOR TAKING NOTES	114	(1)
TAKING NOTES ON PAPER OR CARDS	115	(1)
Checklist 10: Taking Notes	116	(1)
Photocopying	117	(1)
Checklist 11: Photocopying Printed Sources	117	(1)
Documenting Notes	117	(2)
Quoting	119	(1)
Paraphrasing	120	(6)
Interpreting	126	(2)
Summarizing	128	(1)
Collecting Data: Lists and Statistics	129	(2)
Recording Original Observations and Conclusions	131	(1)
Stating General Knowledge	132	(1)
Knowing When to Document	132	(2)
Avoiding Plagiarism	134	(2)
Checklist 12: Avoiding Plagiarism	136	(1)
Activities	136	(1)
Project Activities	137	(1)
7 ORGANIZING MATERIAL	138	(18)
Sorting Note Cards	138	(2)
Checklist 13: Organizing Your Material	139	(1)
Testing Your Hypothesis	140	(2)
Checklist 14: Testing Your Hypothesis	141	(1)
Developing a Controlling Idea or Thesis Statement	142	(3)
THE THESIS STATEMENT	142	(1)
EXPOSITORY OR PERSUASIVE THESIS	143	(2)
Writing an Introduction	145	(1)
Following the Standard Outline Format	146	(9)
OUTLINING YOUR MATERIAL	147	(1)
CONSTRUCTING AN OUTLINE	147	(1)
BALANCING AN OUTLINE	148	(2)
USING AN ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE	150	(1)
REVISING AN OUTLINE	150	(4)
WRITING A SENTENCE OUTLINE	154	(1)
Activities	155	(1)
Project Activities	155	(1)
8 COMPOSING AND REVISING	156	(26)
Getting Started	156	(1)
USING A WORD PROCESSOR	157	(1)
Imagining the Reader	157	(3)
BEING CONSISTENT	158	(1)
DEVELOPING A READABLE STYLE	158	(2)
Checklist 15: Developing a Readable Style	159	(1)
Checklist 16: Using Gender-Inclusive Language	159	(1)
Planning Ahead	160	(1)
Checklist 17: Budgeting Time	160	(1)
Writing the First Draft	160	(5)
WRITING IN YOUR OWN VOICE	160	(1)
CITING SOURCES AS YOU COMPOSE	161	(1)
Checklist 18: Citing Sources	162	(1)
PROVIDING FOR NOTES AS YOU COMPOSE	162	(1)
INTEGRATING QUOTATIONS WITH YOUR OWN WORDS	163	(1)
AVOIDING PADDING	164	(1)
Revising	165	(5)
EVALUATING ORGANIZATION	165	(1)
REARRANGING THE PARTS	166	(1)
ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY MATERIAL	166	(2)
CLARIFYING MEANING	168	(1)
IMPROVING PARAGRAPHS	168	(1)
IMPROVING SMALLER UNITS	168	(2)
Revising for the Last Time	170	(1)
Checklist 19: Revising for the Last Time	170	(1)
Examples of Revision	171	(1)
A Sample Short Paper	172	(9)
LINDA ORTON	172	(1)
COMPOSITION	172	(1)
REVISION	173	(1)
STEPS LEADING TO LINDA'S PAPER	174	(1)
"Eleanor Roosevelt: Blazing a Trail for Women"	175	(6)
Activity	181	(1)
Project Activities	181	(1)
9 PRODUCING THE FINAL PAPER	182	(15)
MARGINS	182	(1)
SPACING	183	(1)
TITLE AND OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION	183	(1)
NUMBERING PAGES AND CREATING HEADERS	183	(1)
CHOOSING FONTS AND POINT SIZES	184	(1)
TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS	184	(1)
STYLE	185	(1)
MAKING FINAL CORRECTIONS	186	(1)
PAPER AND OTHER MATERIALS	186	(1)
Proofreading Symbols	186	(1)
Checking Punctuation	187	(7)
THE PERIOD	187	(1)
THE QUESTION MARK	188	(1)
THE EXCLAMATION POINT	188	(1)
THE COMMA	189	(1)
THE SEMICOLON	190	(1)
THE COLON	190	(1)
QUOTATION MARKS	191	(1)
THE APOSTROPHE	191	(1)
THE HYPHEN	191	(1)
THE DASH	191	(1)
PARENTHESES	192	(1)
BRACKETS	192	(1)
ELLIPSIS DOTS	193	(1)
UNDERLINING	193	(1)
SPACING OF PUNCTUATION	193	(1)
PRINTING THE FINAL PAPER	194	(1)
BINDING	194	(1)
Activity	194	(2)
Checklist 20: Revising and Polishing the Final Draft	195	(1)
Project Activity	196	(1)
10 DOCUMENTING SOURCES USING MLA STYLE	197	(35)
Choosing a Documentation Style	197	(2)
Checklist 21: Planning Ahead for Documentation	198	(1)
Deciding What to Document	199	(4)
PARENTHETICAL AND TEXTUAL DOCUMENTATION	199	(4)
The List of Sources or Bibliography	203	(1)
WHAT TO INCLUDE	203	(1)
HOW TO ARRANGE YOUR SOURCES	203	(1)
PLACEMENT AND FORMAT	203	(1)
USING ABBREVIATIONS TO REFER TO SOURCES	204	(1)
Compiling a List of Sources	204	(17)
BOOKS	204	(4)
PARTS OF BOOKS	208	(2)
PERIODICALS	210	(4)
OTHER WRITTEN SOURCES	214	(2)
NONPRINT AND ELECTRONIC SOURCES	216	(5)
Special Cases	221	(2)
CITING MATERIAL FROM A SECONDARY SOURCE	221	(1)
CITING TITLES WITHIN TITLES	222	(1)
CITING TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS	222	(1)
Making an Annotated Bibliography	223	(1)
Using and Interpreting Abbreviations	223	(6)
STATES	224	(1)
PUBLISHERS' NAMES	224	(1)
THE BIBLE	225	(2)
GENERAL	227	(2)
Content Notes	229	(1)
Activities	230	(2)
11 WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS IN THE HUMANITIES	232	(17)
Approaches to Research in the Humanities	232	(2)
ART	232	(1)
HISTORY	233	(1)
LITERATURE	233	(1)
MUSIC	234	(1)
PHILOSOPHY	234	(1)
A Sample Paper in the Humanities Using MLA Style	234	(15)
MICHAEL GOLD	234	(1)
STEPS LEADING TO MICHAEL'S PAPER	235	(1)
"Conflict and Cooperation: The Making of Rebel Without a Cause"	236	(1)
12 WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS ABOUT LITERATURE	249	(37)
Kinds of Research	249	(2)
Sample Papers in Literature Using MLA Style	251	(35)
CARLA MEDINA	251	(1)
STEPS LEADING TO CARLA'S PAPER	251	(2)
"The Voices of The Color Purple"	253	(11)
CARLA'S PAPER ON ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN	264	(1)
SEARCH STRATEGY	264	(1)
COLLECTING SOURCES	265	(1)
ALTERNATIVE SEARCH STRATEGIES	266	(1)
GETTING STARTED	266	(1)
COMPOSING AND TAKING A POSITION	267	(1)
"Always Trouble: Huck Finn and American Social Values"	268	(18)
13 WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES USING APA STYLE	286	(28)
Approaches to Research in the Social Sciences	286	(3)
ANTHROPOLOGY	286	(1)
ECONOMICS	287	(1)
POLITICAL SCIENCE	287	(1)
SOCIOLOGY	287	(1)
PSYCHOLOGY	288	(1)
PRIMARY RESEARCH	288	(1)
Making an APA Reference List for Papers in the Social Sciences	289	(8)
Checklist 22: Typing References Using APA Style	289	(1)
BOOKS	289	(2)
PERIODICALS	291	(3)
OTHER WRITTEN SOURCES	294	(1)
NONPRINT AND ELECTRONIC SOURCES	295	(1)
SPECIAL CASES	295	(1)
CITING REFERENCES IN THE TEXT	296	(1)
A Sample Paper in the Social Sciences Using APA Style	297	(17)
CHERWANDA WILLIAMS	297	(1)
STEPS LEADING TO CHERWANDA'S PAPER	298	(1)
"The Correlation of Depression and Eating Disorders"	298	(16)
14 WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS IN THE NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES USING CBE STYLE	314	(23)
Approaches to Research in the Natural and Applied Sciences	314	(1)
Making a CBE Reference List for Papers in the Sciences	315	(5)
Checklist 23: Typing References Using CBE Style	316	(1)
BOOKS	317	(1)
PARTS OF BOOKS	318	(1)
JOURNALS	318	(1)
OTHER REFERENCES	319	(1)
A Sample Paper in the Natural and Applied Sciences Using CBE Style	320	(17)
LISA LEE	320	(1)
STEPS LEADING TO LISA'S PAPER	320	(2)
"The Fate of Seeds in Tropical Forests: Determining Factors"	322	(15)
Appendix A DOCUMENTING WITH NOTES	337	(22)
Documentary Notes (Endnotes and Footnotes)	338	(14)
BOOKS	338	(3)
PARTS OF BOOKS	341	(2)
PERIODICALS	343	(3)
OTHER WRITTEN SOURCES	346	(1)
NONPRINT AND ELECTRONIC SOURCES	347	(5)
SUBSEQUENT CITATIONS IN NOTES	352	(1)
Selected Pages from a Sample Paper with Endnotes	352	(7)
Appendix B AN ANNOTATED LIST OF SELECTED REFERENCE WORKS	359	(24)
General Reference Works	360	(5)
BIBLIOGRAPHIES	360	(1)
BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES	360	(2)
DICTIONARIES	362	(1)
ENCYCLOPEDIAS	362	(1)
GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES	362	(1)
INDEXES	363	(2)
YEARBOOKS	365	(1)
Humanities	365	(7)
GENERAL	365	(1)
ART	366	(1)
FILM	366	(1)
HISTORY	367	(1)
LITERATURE	368	(2)
MUSIC	370	(1)
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION	370	(2)
Social Sciences	372	(6)
GENERAL	372	(1)
ANTHROPOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY	373	(1)
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS	374	(2)
EDUCATION	376	(1)
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT	376	(2)
Natural and Applied Sciences	378	(5)
GENERAL	378	(1)
ASTRONOMY	379	(1)
BIOLOGY, MEDICINE, AND NURSING	379	(1)
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS	380	(1)
COMPUTER SCIENCE	380	(1)
ENGINEERING	381	(1)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE	381	(2)
PERMISSIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	383	(2)
INDEX	385