The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition

More about the book

This manual provides practical guidance on the fundamentals of research for college and university students across various disciplines. It emphasizes approaching research as an analytical process rather than merely gathering facts. The authors outline every stage of research, from selecting a topic and formulating research questions to gathering evidence, constructing arguments, and writing a final report that exemplifies authority. The content is tailored for both novices and experienced researchers, applicable to projects ranging from class papers to dissertations. The book is divided into four parts. The first part introduces the unique nature, values, and protocols of research. The second part simplifies the process of discovering a topic, highlighting diverse sources, including personal interests. Parts three and four focus on the essentials of argumentation—making claims and supporting them—along with outlining, drafting, revising, and polishing the final report. Part three serves as a concise guide to the logic, structure, and common pitfalls of argumentation. Part four addresses effective presentation of verbal and visual information, emphasizing the importance of crafting sentences and paragraphs that communicate with clarity and precision. Overall, it serves as a vital reminder of the significance of style and approach in research.