FIFTH EDITION

The Bedford
Researcher

Available with
Mike Palmquist
f IFt h edi T ion

The Bedford
Researcher

Mike Palmquist
Colorado State University

Bedford/St. Martins Boston New York

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Contents

Directory of Tutorials, Activities, and Checklists inside front cover

Preface for Instructors v
Introduction for Writers xiii

I Joining the Conversation 1

1 Getting Started 3
1a How can I research and write with confidence? 3
Think of writing as a form of conversation 4
Understand the rhetorical nature of writing situations 7
Understand and manage your research writing processes 12
1b How can I approach an assignment? 16
Consider your writing situation 18
Generate ideas about potential topics 20
Choose an appropriate topic 26

2 Exploring and Focusing 29

2a How can I explore my topic? 29
Step 1: Create a plan to explore your topic 30
Step 2: Discuss your topic with others 30
Step 3: Conduct preliminary observations 31
Step 4: Identify useful types of sources 31
Step 5: Find sources 32
Step 6: Review, mark, and annotate sources 36
2b How can I focus on an issue? 39
Step 1: Identify conversations about issues in your topic 39
Step 2: Assess your interest in the issues 40
Step 3: Choose an issue 42

3 Developing Your Research Question and Proposal 45

3a How can I develop my research question? 45
Reflect on your issue and disciplinary context 46
Focus on your role 47
Focus on an aspect of your issue 47
Choose and focus your research question 50
Refine your research question 53
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3b How can I create a research proposal? 57

Identify your topic, issue, and research question 57
Provide a review of literature 58
Explain how youll collect information 58
Develop a project timeline 59
Compile a working or annotated bibliography 59
Clarify and elaborate on your core proposal 59

II Working with Sources 65

4 Reading Critically and Actively 67

4a How can I read sources critically? 68
Read with an attitude 68
Distinguish between critical reading and evaluating 68
Approach a source with your writing situation in mind 68
Read promising sources more than once 70
Develop a position on your research question 70
4b What strategies can I use to read actively? 73
Skim for organization and content 74
Mark and annotate sources 74
Take notes 74
4c What should I pay attention to as I read? 76
Identify the genre 78
Note illustrations 78
Identify primary and secondary sources 79
Identify main points 80
Identify reasons and evidence 80
Identify interpretive frameworks 80
Identify new and hard-to-understand information 84
Identify similarities and differences 84

5 Evaluating Sources 86
5a What factors should I use to evaluate a source? 86
Evaluate relevance 86
Evaluate evidence 87
Evaluate the author 88
Evaluate the publisher 88
Evaluate timeliness 89
Evaluate comprehensiveness 89
Evaluate genre 90
 Contents xix

5b Should I evaluate all types of sources in the same

way? 93
Consider the purposes and audiences of scholarly, professional,
andpopular sources 93
Evaluate the relevance and credibility of digital sources 95
Evaluate the relevance and accuracy of field sources 97

6 Taking Notes 99
6a Why should I take notes? 99
6b How can I record useful information, ideas, and arguments
in my notes? 100
Choose a method and use it consistently 100
Quote directly 101
Paraphrase 103
Summarize 106
6c How can I use my notes to improve my understanding of
anissue? 108
Record your reactions and impressions 108
Compare sources 108
Classify sources 111
Plan your document 112

7 Managing Information 113

7a How can I save and organize the information I find? 113
Decide how to save and organize print information 113
Decide how to save and organize digital information 114
7b How can I use a bibliography to organize
information? 119
Create a working bibliography 119
Create an annotated bibliography 122

8 Avoiding Plagiarism 126

8a What is plagiarism? 127
Unintentional plagiarism 127
Intentional plagiarism 129
Plagiarism in group projects 129
8b What are research ethics? 129
8c What is common knowledge? 131
8d What is fair use and when should I ask permission to use
asource? 131
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8e How can I avoid plagiarism? 133

Conduct a knowledge inventory 133
Take notes carefully 134
As you draft, distinguish between your ideas and ideas in your
sources 134
Identify sources in your document 135
Understand why writers plagiarize 135
8f What should I do if Im accused of plagiarism? 139

III Collecting Information 141

9 Searching for Information with Digital Resources 143

9a How can I prepare to search? 144
Review your research plan and proposal 144
Identify keywords and phrases 144
Plan basic searches 146
Plan advanced searches 148
9b How can I search for sources with library catalogs? 154
Use search features 154
Browse by subject heading or call number 156
9c How can I search for sources with databases? 158
Search news and information databases 159
Search subject databases 159
Search bibliographies 161
Search citation indexes 162
Search media databases 162
9d How can I search for sources with Web search sites? 163
Use Web search engines 164
Use Web directories 165
Use meta search sites 165
Use news search sites 165
Use reference search sites 166
Use government documents search sites and directories 166
Use e-book sites 167
Use blog search sites 167
Use social network search 168
Use media search sites 169
 Contents xxi

10 Searching for Information with Print Resources 170

10a Why should I consult print reference works? 171
10b How can I use the library stacks to locate sources? 171
Browse the stacks 172
Check out books and periodicals 172
Use interlibrary loan 172
10c How can I use a library periodicals room to locate
sources? 173
Consult periodicals 173
Use works cited lists to find key voices 173
10d How can I use a library reference room to locate
sources? 174
Consult bibliographies 174
Consult indexes 175
Consult biographies 178
Consult general and specialized encyclopedias 180
Consult handbooks, almanacs, and atlases 180

11 Searching for Information with Field Research

Methods 181
11a When should I use field research methods? 182
11b How can I use interviews to collect information? 183
Plan your interview 183
Decide what you should ask 184
Conduct your interview 186
Analyze your results 187
11c How can I use observation to collect information? 188
Plan your observation 189
Conduct your observation 190
Analyze your results 191
11d How can I use surveys to collect information? 191
Plan your survey 192
Conduct your survey 194
Analyze your results 194
11e How can I use correspondence to collect information? 197
11f How can I use public events and broadcast media to
collectinformation? 197
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IV Creating Your Document 199

12 Developing Your Thesis Statement 201

12a How can I prepare to draft my thesis statement? 201
Review your position statement 202
Review your notes 202
Consider your purpose and role 203
Reflect on your readers 203
12b How can I develop an effective thesis statement? 203
Step 1: Identify important information, ideas, and arguments
associated with your position 203
Step 2: Focus on your role 204
Step 3: Consider the type of document you plan to write 206
Step 4: Use your position statement to draft thesis statements 206
Step 5: Choose your thesis statement 207
Step 6: Refine your thesis statement 208

13 Developing and Organizing Your Argument 212

13a How can I develop my argument? 213
Choose reasons to support your main point 213
Select evidence to support your reasons 215
Decide how to appeal to your readers 216
Decide how to address opposing arguments 219
Check for logical fallacies 221
13b How can I organize my argument? 224
Choose an organizing pattern 224
Review and arrange your evidence 226
Create an outline 228

14 Drafting235
14a How can I help my readers follow my argument? 236
Work from an outline 236
Create paragraphs that focus on a central idea 238
Create paragraphs that use appropriate organizing patterns 238
Create transitions within and between paragraphs 239
Provide cues to keep your readers on track 240
Integrate information from sources effectively 241
14b How can I write with style and engage my readers? 242
Use details to capture your readers attention 242
Write clearly and concisely 243
 Contents xxiii

Write actively (most of the time) 244

Adopt a consistent point of view 245
Vary your sentence structure 246
Choose your words carefully 247
Avoid sexist language 248
Consult a good handbook 249
14c How can I use my introduction to frame my issue? 249
Call attention to an aspect of the issue 249
Choose an appropriate strategy for your introduction 251
14d How can I use my conclusion to frame my issue? 253
Reinforce your argument 253
Select an appropriate strategy for your conclusion 254

15 Using Sources Effectively 257

15a How can I use sources to accomplish my purposes as a
writer? 258
Introduce an idea or argument 258
Contrast ideas or arguments 259
Provide evidence for your argument 259
Align your argument with an authority 260
Define a concept, illustrate a process, or clarify a statement 260
Set a mood 261
Provide an example 261
Amplify or qualify a point 261
15b How can I integrate sources into my draft? 262
Identify your sources 262
Quote strategically 263
Paraphrase information, ideas, and arguments 266
Summarize 268
Present numerical information 270
Use images, audio, video, and animations 271
15c How should I document my sources? 271
Choose a documentation system 271
Provide in-text references and publication information 272
15d How can I ensure Ive avoided unintentional
plagiarism? 273
Quote, paraphrase, and summarize accurately and
appropriately 273
Distinguish between your ideas and ideas in your sources 273
Check for unattributed sources in your document 274
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16 Designing Documents 276

16a What role does design play in my document? 277
Understand design principles 277
Design for a purpose 278
Design for your readers 279
Design to address genre conventions 280
16b What design elements can I use? 281
Use fonts, line spacing, and alignment 281
Use page layout elements 282
Use color, shading, borders, and rules 284
Use illustrations 285
16c How can I design my document? 286
Design an academic essay 286
Design a multimodal essay 290
Design an article 294
Design a Web site 298

17 Revising and Editing 302

17a What should I focus on as I revise my document? 303
Consider your writing situation 303
Consider your argument and ideas 303
Consider your use and integration of sources 304
Consider the structure and organization of your document 304
Consider genre and design 304
17b What strategies should I use to revise? 305
Save multiple drafts 305
Highlight your main point, reasons, and evidence 305
Challenge your assumptions 305
Scan, outline, and map your document 306
Ask for feedback 306
17c What should I focus on as I edit my document? 310
Focus on accuracy 310
Focus on economy 310
Focus on consistency 310
Focus on style 311
Focus on spelling, grammar, and punctuation 311
17d What strategies should I use to edit? 311
Read carefully 311
Mark and search your document 312
Use spelling, grammar, and style tools with caution 312
Ask for feedback 313
 Contents xxv

18 Presenting Your Work 314

18a How can I make an oral presentation? 315
Consider your purpose and audience 315
Narrow your scope 315
Create a barebones outline 315
Think about language 317
Design speakers notes 317
Engage with your audience 318
View speakers notes 318
18b How can I give a multimedia presentation? 320
Consider your purpose 320
Consider audience expectations about design 321
View a multimedia presentation 322
18c How can I create a poster presentation? 324
Consider your purpose and audience 324
Consider audience expectations about design 324
View a poster 325
18d How can I develop a portfolio? 326
Consider your writing situation 326
Select your materials 327
Choose a publishing tool 327
Design your portfolio 328

V Documenting Sources 331

19 Understanding Documentation Systems 333

19a What is a documentation system and which one
shouldIuse? 333
19b How should I document my sources? 335

20 Using MLA Style 338

20a How do I cite sources within the text of my
document? 341
20b How do I prepare the list of works cited? 344

21 Using APA Style 368

21a How do I cite sources within the text of my
document? 370
21b How do I prepare the reference list? 373
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22 Using Chicago Style 398

22a How do I cite sources within the text of my
document? 400
22b How do I format notes and prepare the
bibliography? 402

23 Using CSE Style 427

23a How do I cite sources within the text of my
document? 429
23b How do I prepare the reference list? 429

Index 449