Review by Choice Review
Gerard (creative writing, Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington) is the author of several novels and works of nonfiction. In the present book he offers a foundational guide to conducting and understanding research. Spanning the conceptual spectrum, chapters examine the fundamentals of research; developing a research plan; how to use equipment, technology, digital file management services, and so on in crafting effective research; using clothing as a research tool; navigating paper archives; conducting research on the internet; the role of memory and imagination in research; successful interviewing; leveraging firsthand experience; fact-checking; and personalizing facts and history. Written in accessible language and filled with anecdotes from a wide range of writers (including Gerard himself), the book takes a subjective, almost holistic approach to the topic of research, presenting the basics with enthusiasm. This makes it ideal reading for college freshman and those new to rigorous research. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, including students in two-year programs; general readers. --Eric Jeitner, Stockton University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review