The craft of research /

First published in 1995 (CH, May'96, 33-5067), this comprehensive guidebook is aimed at students and practitioner-researchers unfamiliar with the process of organizing and writing a college-level research paper. It is written in an easy-to-follow manner with copious examples to illustrate particular concepts, such as how to compose an argument or connect scholarly research to investigating practical problems. Chapters arranged into five sections cover the general research process, how to frame and organize a study, the development of an argument to support a hypothesis, and pragmatic explanations about how to produce a paper. The final chapters consider the ethical use of research and advice to teachers. Most chapters end with a Quick Tip providing a helpful synopsis of practical advice. The narrative flow reflects the overall process of scholarly research from conceptualization to final product, also acknowledging the non-linear nature of investigation. Perhaps responding to prior criticism, handling differences among research methods, developing an argument, and reporting/writing are more fully explained. Fourth-edition improvements include detailed information about using online library sources and updated examples. This thorough but inexpensive book is foundational for understanding the research process from beginning to end, and the appendix lists sources for disciplinary-specific guidance that might be improved by including literature on particular research methods. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Undergraduates through researchers/faculty; professionals/practitioners. --Robert V. Labaree, University of Southern California