The research paper : a common-sense approach / Thomas E. Gaston, Bret H. Smith.

CONTENTS

PART ONE: PUTTING LIBRARY RESEARCH INTO THE BIG PICTURE
why research is important to you
why what we know is not necessarily so
virtually all human knowledge is tentative
commonly accepted sources of truth
the advantages of being reasonable
what, exactly, is research
how common is common sense?
what researchers think about
e.tc

how and why research is reported
research reports in academic settings
research reports in business, industry, and professional practice
the research paper and its audience
e.tc

PART TWO: WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS
getting to know the library
knowing your objective
mulling over your choice of topic
Taking stock
e.tc

using more advanced references
putting sources to work
more advanced references
preparing cards on your sources
e.tc

Bringing sources together-the purpose of citations
Giving your paper a point
marshal your evidence
what is documentation
e.tc

Closing in your topic
turning notions into questions
purposeful reading
e.tc

Putting your data in order
where do I start
fleshing out your prospectus
e.tc

Drafting the research report
when to revise
what to look for
e.tc

Revising and editing the report


PART THREE: MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Doing some primary research of your own
The interview as a research method
The survey as a research procedure
e.tc

Practical applications and future possibilities
special format problems
some obstacles to real-life research
e.tc

Includes index.

"Appendix D--Selected modern references in specialized fields": p. 315-324.