Researching and Writing Across the Curriculum, 3rd Edition

Preface

I. RESEARCH METHODS

1. College Research

Introduction

Research in the Disciplines

The Importance of Research

Thinking Critically

            Establishing Your Purpose and Raising Questions

            Analyzing the Topic

            Synthesizing

            Making Inferences

            Evaluating

The General Process of Research

            Preparation

            Incubation

            Illumination

            Verification

            A Physician Uses the Research Process

Engaging Critically and Actively in the Reading Process

            Reading on Three Different Levels

            Structuring Your Reading Process

            Annotating the Text While Reading

            Using Sources Responsibly and Avoiding Plagiarism   

2. Finding Library and Internet Resources

Introduction

Libraries and General Library Resources

            The Library Reference Area

            General Reference Works

            Locating Library Books and Resources:

            Computer Cataloging Systems   

            Locating Articles in Serials: Popular Periodicals

            Locating Articles in Serials: Professional Journals

            Locating Government Documents

            Other Technologies

            Electronic Full-text Databases   

Internet Resources             

            Using Search Tools to Locate Information on Your Topic

            Using Internet Library and Periodicals Collections   

            Bookmarking Important Sites   

3. Using Library and Internet Sources 

Introduction

Preparation and Incubation

            Finding a Topic   

Selecting a Specific Topic       

Narrowing and Focusing the Topic

            Asking Research Questions

            Developing a Hypothesis    

            Gathering Research Materials    

Taking Notes with Photocopies and Printouts   

            Photocopies and Database Printouts   

            Printing Internet Sources    

            Downloading Internet Sources    

            Saving Online Sources    

            The Working Bibliography    

            Developing a Search Strategy    

            Outlining a Time Frame    

            Locating Sources    

            Evaluating Print and Electronic Sources

            Working with Sources     

Avoiding Plagiarism

            Acknowledge Required    

            No Acknowledge Required

            Unintentional Plagiarism

            International Plagiarism

Illumination and Verification  

            Evaluation

            Writing from Sources    

4. Planning and Writing Your Research Paper   

Introduction

Planning Your Research Paper  

            Rhetorical Situation

            Organization    

Outlining and Drafting Your Research Paper

            Constructing an Outline or Plan    

            Drafting Your Paper    

            Avoiding Writer’s Block    

            Collaborating    

            Drafting with a Computer    

5. Revising and Formatting Your Research Paper

Introduction         

Rewriting Your Research Paper   

            Rereading and Reviewing Your Draft    

            Revising for Structure and Style    

            Improving Paragraphs    

            Improving Sentences    

            Improving Words    

            Editing for Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling    

            Rewriting Your Paper Using Word Processing    

            Incorporating Reference Materials    

            Incorporating Direct Quotations    

            Formatting and Printing Using Computers    

            Proofreading    

Considering Formal Details

            Word Processing    

            Line Spacing    

            Margins    

            Title Page    

            Numbering    

            Indentation and Word Spacing    

            The Abstract    

            The Endnote Page    

            The References Page    

            The Annotated Bibliography    

            The Appendix    

Sample Student Paper  

II. MODEL RESEARCH PROJECTS

6. Writing a Research Paper in the Humanities 

Introduction

Reports and Research Papers    

The Inquiry Process in the Humanities       

            The Importance of Texts in the Humanities    

            Research in the Humanities    

            Acceptable Evidence in the Humanities    

Primary Research in the Humanities

            Using Primary Texts    

            Life-History Interviewing    

Organizing and Writing the Humanities Research Paper

            Outlining   

            Writing the First Draft    

Documentation in the Humanities: MLA Style  

            Internal Citation    

            The Reference List    

Model References: Language and Literature (MLA)

            Type of Reference    

Footnote and Bibliography Style     

Model Notes: Humanities

            Type of Reference    

Exercises and Research Project    

Discipline-Specific Resources for Humanities  

            Technology and the Humanities     

            Resources for Humanities    

Sample Research Paper: Humanities Format (MLA)

7. Writing a Review Paper in Science and Technology

Introduction

The Inquiry Process in Science and Technology

            The Importance of Observation in the Sciences

            The Importance of Formulating and Testing Hypotheses

            Critical Scientific Research  

            The Importance of Replicability and Scientific Debate

Primary Research in the Sciences      

            Lab Experiments and Reports    

            Field Observations and Reports    

Organizing and Writing the Scientific Review Paper

            Arranging the Materials    

            Writing the First Draft: Verification    

Documentation in Science and Technology

            Internal Citation    

            The Reference List    

Model References: Natural and Physical Sciences (Number System) (CBE)  

Exercises and Research Project  

Discipline-Specific Resources for Science and Technology  

            Resources for the Sciences and Technology    

Sample Engineering Paper: Science Format (CBE)  

8. Writing a Research Paper in Social Science

Introduction

The Inquiry Process in Social Science  

            The Importance of Observing Human Behavior    

            The Importance of Understanding Human Consciousness    

            Objectivity versus Subjectivity    

Primary Research in the Social Sciences   

            Step 1- Problem and Hypothesis

            Step 2- Research Design

            Step 3- Gathering the Data

            Step 4- Analyzing the Data

            Step 5- Interpreting the Results     

            Social Science Research Designs

Organizing and Writing the Social Science Research Paper

            Organizing Your Materials

            Planning and Outlining     

            Writing the First Draft     

Manuscript Preparation (APA Style) 

            Title Page

            Abstract      

            Text

            Introduction

            Body

            Reference Page     

            Appendix

Documentation in Social Science: The Author/Date Style (APA)         

            Internal Citation     

            The Reference List in APA Style     

Model References: Social Science (APA)            

            Type of Reference

Exercises and Research Project   

Discipline-Specific Resources for Social Science    

            Resources for the Social Sciences

Sample Research Paper: Social Science Format (APA)  

9. Writing a Research Report in Business    

Introduction

The Inquiry Process in Business  

            Three Types of R&D     

            Other Types of Business Research     

Primary Research in Business

            Presenting Business Information

            Conducting a Survey in Business

Organizing and Writing the Business Report

Documentation in Business and Economics

            Internal Citations    

            The Reference List    

Model References: Business and Economics (Chicago)    

            Type of Reference     

Exercises and Research Project 

Discipline-Specific Resources for Business and Economics

            Technology and Business    

Sample Research Report: Business and Economics Format (Chicago)  

Index