Click here to find out more about the 2009 MLA Updates and the 2010 APA Updates. Tech-savvy and student-friendly, The Bedford Researcher addresses the kinds of writing students actually do and the kinds of sources they actually use. It follows real student writers from their initial research questions all the way to designing their final essays, integrating electronic sources and tools into each stage of the process. Clearly organized and readable, The Bedford Researcher strips away the complexities of research writing and empowers students to write with confidence.
PREFACE FOR INSTRUCTORS INTRODUCTION FOR WRITERS I Joining the Conversation 1 Getting Started 1a How can I research and write with confidence?
1b How can I choose an appropriate topic? 2 Exploring and Narrowing Your Topic
2a How can I explore my topic?
2b How can I narrow my topic? 3 Developing Your Research Question and Proposal
3a How can I develop my research question?
3b What is a research proposal and how can I create one? II Working with Sources 4 Reading Critically
4a How does reading critically differ from evaluating?
4b How can I use my research question to read critically?
4c How can I read with an attitude?
4d What strategies can I use to read actively?
4e What should I pay attention to as I read?
4f How many times should I read a source? 5 Evaluating Sources
5a What factors should I use to evaluate a source?
5b Should I evaluate all types of sources in the same way? 6 Taking Notes
6a How can I record my notes?
6b What methods can I use to take notes and avoid plagiarism? 7 Avoiding Plagiarism
7a What is plagiarism?
7b What are research ethics?
7c What is common knowledge?
7d What is "fair use" and when should I ask permission to use a source?
7e Why do writers plagiarize?
7f How can I avoid plagiarism?
7g What should I do if Im accused of plagiarism? III Collecting Information 8 Planning Your Search for Information
8a How can I create a search plan?
8b How can I create a schedule to carry out my plan?
8c How can I find out if my plan is a good one? 9 Searching for Information with Electronic Resources
9a How can I search for sources with online library catalogs?
9b How can I search for sources with databases?
9c How can I search for sources with Web search sites?
9d How can I search for sources with media search sites? 10 Searching for Information with Print Resources
10a How can I use the library stacks to locate sources?
10b How can I use a library periodicals room to locate sources?
10c How can I use a library reference room to locate sources? 11 Searching for Information with Field Research Methods
11a How can I use interviews to collect information?
11b How can I use observation to collect information?
11c How can I use surveys to collect information?
11d How can I use correspondence to collect information?
11e How can I use public events and broadcast media to collect information? 12 Managing Information
12a How can I save and organize the information I find?
12b How can I create a bibliography IV Writing Your Document 13 Developing, Supporting, and Organizing Your Ideas
13a How can I develop my thesis statement?
13b How can I support my thesis statement?
13c How should I organize my document? 14 Drafting
14a How can I use my outline to draft my document?
14b How can I draft effective paragraphs?
14c How can I draft my introduction?
14d How can I present evidence for my points?
14e How can I make sure my document is easy to follow?
14f How can I make my document more readable?
14g How can I draft my conclusion?
14h How should I document my sources? 15 Integrating Sources to Frame Your Argument and Avoid Plagiarism
15a How can I use source information to accomplish my purposes as a writer?
15b How can I integrate quotations?
15c How can I integrate paraphrases?
15d How can I integrate summaries?
15e How can I integrate numerical information?
15f How can I integrate images, audio, and video?
15g How can I ensure Ive avoided plagiarism? 16 Writing with Style
16a How can I begin to write with style?
16b How can I polish my style? 17 Revising and Editing
17a What should I focus on as I revise my document?
17b What strategies should I use to revise?
17c What should I focus on as I edit my document?
17d What strategies should I use to edit? 18 Designing
18a How can I use design effectively?
18b What design elements can I use?
18c How should I design my document? V Documenting Sources 19 Understanding Documentation Systems
19a What is a documentation system and which one should I use?
19b How should I document my sources? 20 Using MLA Style
20a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
20b How do I prepare the list of works cited? 21 Using APA Style
21a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
21b How do I prepare the reference list? 22 Using Chicago Style
22a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
22b How do I format notes and prepare the bibliography? 23 Using CSE Style
23a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
23b How do I prepare the reference list? INDEX DIRECTORY OF TUTORIALS, ACTIVITIES, AND CHECKLISTS