The Bedford Researcher

 

 

Part I: Joining the Conversation
1 Getting Started
     1a How can I research and write with confidence?
     1b How can I choose an appropriate topic?
2 Exploring and Focusing
     2a How can I explore my topic?
     2b How can I focus on an issue?
3 Developing Your Research Question and Proposal
     3a How can I develop my research question?
     *3b How can I create a research proposal?

 

Part II: Working with Sources
4 Reading Critically
     4a How does reading critically differ from evaluating?
     4b How can I use my research question to read critically?
     4c How can I read with an attitude? 
     4d What strategies can I use to read actively?
     4e What should I pay attention to as I read?
     4f How many times should I read a source?
5 Evaluating Sources
     5a What factors should I use to evaluate a source?
     5b Should I evaluate all types of sources in the same way?
6 Managing Information and Taking Notes
     6a How can I save and organize the information I find?
     *6b Why should I take notes?
     *6c How should I take notes?
     *6d How can I create a bibliography to organize information?
7 Avoiding Plagiarism
     7a What is plagiarism?
     7b What are research ethics?
     7c What is common knowledge?
     7d What is fair use and when should I ask permission to use a source?
     *7e How can I avoid plagiarism?
     7f What should I do if I’m accused of plagiarism?

 

Part III: Collecting Information
8 Searching for Information with Digital Resources
     *8a How can I prepare to search?
     8b How can I search for sources with online library catalogs?
     *8c How can I search for sources with databases?
     *8d How can I search for sources with Web search sites?
     8e How can I search for sources with media search sites?
9 Searching for Information with Print Resources
     9a How can I use the library stacks to locate sources?
     9b How can I use a library periodicals room to locate sources?
     9c How can I use a library reference room to locate sources?
10 Searching for Information with Field Research Methods
     *10a When should I use field research methods?
     10b How can I use interviews to collect information?
     10c How can I use observation to collect information?
     10d How can I use surveys to collect information?
     10e How can I use correspondence to collect information?
     10f How can I use public events and broadcast media to collect information?

 

Part IV: Writing Your Document
*11 Developing Your Thesis Statement
     *11a How can I use my sources and position statement?
     *11b How can I draft my thesis statement?
*12 Developing Your Argument
     *12a How can I support my thesis statement?
     *12b How can I assess the integrity of my argument?
*13 Organizing
     *13a What organizing pattern should I choose?
     13b How can I arrange my argument?
     13c  How can I create an outline?
14 Drafting
     14a How can I use my outline to draft my document?
     14b How can I draft effective paragraphs?
     14c How can I draft my introduction?
     14d How can I make sure my document is easy to follow?
     14e How can I draft my conclusion?
*15 Using Sources Effectively
     15a How can I use sources to accomplish my purposes as a writer?
     *15b How can I integrate sources into my draft?
     *15c How should I document my sources?
16 Writing with Style
     16a How can I begin to write with style?
     16b How can I polish my style?
17 Revising and Editing
     17a What should I focus on as I revise my document?
     17b What strategies should I use to revise?
     17c What should I focus on as I edit my document?
     17d What strategies should I use to edit?
18 Understanding Design Principles
     18a How can I use design effectively?
     18b What design elements can I use?
*19 Designing Documents and Presentations
     19a How can I design academic essays?
     19b How can I design multimodal essays?
     19c How can I design articles?
     19d How can I design Web sites?
     *19e How can I design oral presentations?
     *19f How can I design multimedia presentations?
     *19g How can I design poster presentations?

 

PART V: Documenting Sources
20 Understanding Documentation Systems
     20a What is a documentation system and which one should I use?
     20b How should I document my sources?
21 Using MLA Style
     21a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
     21b How do I prepare the list of works cited?
22 Using APA Style
     22a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
     22b How do I prepare the reference list?
23 Using Chicago Style
     23a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
     23b How do I format notes and prepare the bibliography?
24 Using CSE Style
     24a How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
     24b How do I prepare the reference list?