Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide
Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide
Papers
A Complete Guide
Sixteenth Edition
James D. Lester
Acknowledgments of third part content appear on the approriate page within the text
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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1—DOC—17 16 15 14
Putting the Name and Page Number at 11m Altering Initial Capitals in Quoted Matter 195
the End of Borrowed Material 177 11n Omitting Quoted Matter with Ellipsis
11b Citing a Source When No Author Points 195
Is Listed 178 11o Altering Quotations with Parentheses and
Citing the Title of a Magazine Article 178 Brackets 198
Citing the Title of a Report 179 Parentheses 198
Citing the Name of a Publisher or a Corporate Brackets 199
Body 179
Charting Your Research Project 200
11c Citing Nonprint Sources That Have No
Page Number 179 12 Writing the Introduction,
11d Citing Internet Sources 179 Body, and Conclusion 201
Identify the Source with Name or Title 179
12a Writing the Introduction of the Research
Identify the Nature of the Information
and Its Credibility 180 Paper 201
Omitting Page and Paragraph Numbers to Provide the Thesis Statement 202
Internet Citations 181 Provide the Enthymeme 202
11e Citing Indirect Sources 182 Provide a Hypothesis 203
11f Citing Frequent Page References to Relate to the Well Known 203
the Same Work 183 Provide Background Information 204
11g Citing Material from Textbooks and Large Review the Literature 204
Anthologies 184 Review the History and Background of the
Subject 205
11h Adding Extra Information to In-Text
Take Exception to Critical Views 205
Citations 185
Challenge an Assumption 206
One of Several Volumes 186
Provide a Brief Summary 206
Two or More Works by the Same Writer 186
Define Key Terms 207
Several Authors in One Citation 187
Supply Data, Statistics, and Special
Additional Information with the Page
Evidence 207
Number 187
12b Writing the Body of the Research Paper 208
11i Punctuating Citations Properly and
Consistently 187 Organize by Chronology 208
Commas and Periods 188 Compare or Contrast Issues, Critical Views, and
Literary Characters 209
Semicolons and Colons 189
Develop Cause and Effect 210
Question Marks and Exclamation Marks 189
Define Your Key Terminology 210
Single Quotation Marks 190
Explain a Process 211
11j Indenting Long Quotations 191
Ask Questions and Provide Answers 211
11k Citing Poetry 192
Cite Evidence from the Source Materials 212
Quoting Three Lines of Poetry or Less 192
Use a Variety of Other Methods 212
Quoting Four Lines of Poetry or More 193
12c Writing the Conclusion of the
Indenting Turnovers for Long Lines
Research Paper 213
of Poetry 193
Restate the Thesis and Reach beyond It 214
Retaining Internal Quotations within a Block 193
Close with an Effective Quotation 214
Providing Translations 194
Return the Focus of a Literary Study to the
11l Handling Quotations from a Play 194 Author 215
Compare the Past to the Present 215 15c Using In-Text Citations in APA Style 273
Offer a Directive or Solution 216 15d Preparing the List of References 279
Discuss Test Results and Limitations 216 Book 281
Charting Your Research Project 217 Periodical 282
Abstract 283
13 Revising, Proofreading, and Review 283
Formatting the Rough Draft 218 Report 283
13a Conducting a Global Revision 219 Nonprint Material 284
Revising the Introduction 219 Sources Accessed Online 284
Revising the Body 219 Article from a Library Database 288
Revising the Conclusion 219 CD-ROM 288
Participating in Peer Review 220 Encyclopedia Article 288
Full-Text Article 289
13b Formatting the Paper to MLA Style 221
Title Page or Opening Page 221 15e Formatting an APA Paper 289
Outline 222 Theoretical Paper 289
Abstract 222 Report of Empirical Research 289
The Text of the Paper 223 Review Article 290
Content Endnotes Page 223 15f Writing the Abstract 290
Appendix 224 15g Sample Paper in APA Style 291
16
Works Cited 224
13c Editing before Typing or Printing the Final
The Footnote System:
Manuscript 224 CMS Style 299
Using the Computer to Edit Your Text 224 16a Inserting a Superscript Numeral in
13d Proofreading on the Screen and on the Your Text 300
Printed Manuscript 225 Writing Full or Abbreviated Notes 301
Charting Your Research Project 226 16b Formatting and Writing the Footnotes 302
13e Sample Papers in MLA Style 227 16c Writing Footnotes for Electronic Sources 305
Short Literary Research Paper 227 16d Writing Subsequent Footnote References 306
Sample Research Paper 234 16e Writing Endnotes Rather Than Footnotes 307
14 Works Cited: MLA Style 246 16f Writing Content Footnotes or Content
Endnotes 308
14a Formatting the Works Cited Page 247 16g Using the Footnote System for Papers
14b Key Elements of the Works Cited List 251 in the Humanities 310
16h Writing a Bibliography Page for a Paper
15 Writing in APA Style 271 That Uses Footnotes 311
15a Writing Theory, Reporting Test Results, or 16i Sample Research Paper in the CMS Style 312
17
Reviewing Literature 271
Theoretical Article 272
CSE Style for the Natural and
Report of an Empirical Study 272 Applied Sciences 318
Review Article 272 Guide by Discipline 319
15b Writing in the Proper Tense for an 17a Writing In-Text Citations Using the CSE
APA Paper 273 Citation-Sequence System 320
ix
technology on searching for appropriate topics, and student papers in Chapter 16 follow cur-
finding and evaluating source material, gather- rent CMS documentation standards.
ing notes and drafting the paper, avoiding pla-
Research Tips for Avoiding the Pit-
giarism and embracing academic integrity, and,
falls of Plagiarism Chapters 1 to 10 pro-
of course, documenting sources. Students are di-
vide at least one “Research Tip,” a feature that
rected step by step through the various formats
offers instruction and examples for citing sources
for documenting online sources and are offered
appropriately and ethically, and avoiding plagia-
clear, detailed guidance on blending electronic
rism. Beginning with the section “Understanding
citations into their writing. The most extensive
and Avoiding Plagiarism,” in Chapter 1, Writing
updated content is included in Chapter 4, where
Research Papers clearly explains what plagiarism is
explanations are provided about new research
and presents strategies students can use to avoid
techniques using social networking sites and key-
unintentional plagiarism. Moreover, there is a
word searches with expanded Boolean operators.
special emphasis on how to blend quotations into
C urr e nt D ocum e ntat i on G u i d e - academic writing and document Internet sources.
lines Since discipline-specific style guides offer
Guidelines for Evaluating Online
very different methods for documenting sources—
Sources Understanding what constitutes an ap-
particularly electronic sources—depending on the
propriate source for an academic paper is more and
academic field of research, a guide of this sort is
more challenging for students, as more and more
vital to students who are responding to writing
sources become instantly available online. Writing
assignments in a variety of disciplines. To enable
Research Papers assists student researchers in decid-
students to document sources correctly, this edi-
ing if and when to use familiar search engines such
tion includes updated guidelines for the most
as Google or Yahoo!, and also offers detailed advice
important documentation formats.
on how to find respected scholarly sources—and
• Up-to-date coverage of MLA documentation how to determine whether a source is in fact cred-
style. The Modern Language Association ible. A checklist, “Evaluating Online Sources,” helps
(MLA) significantly revised its documentation students gauge the quality of online articles.
style for both print and electronic sources in the
Student Papers Student writing examples
most recent edition of the MLA Style Manual
provide models for student writers of how other
and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, and the MLA
students have researched and drafted papers on a
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. All sam-
wide range of topics. With seven annotated sam-
ple citations and student papers in Chapters 1
ple papers, more than any other text of this kind,
to 14 reflect the current MLA style guides.
Writing Research Papers demonstrates format,
• Revised APA documentation coverage. The documentation, and the different academic styles.
American Psychological Association (APA) Student papers include:
also revised its documentation guidelines in
the APA Publication Manual. All sample cita- Ashley Irwin, “Sylvia Plath and Her ’Daddy”’
tions and student papers in Chapter 15 follow (MLA style)
current APA documentation standards. Anthony Ruvolo, “The Temple of Jupiter Op-
timus Maximus and a New Interpretation of
• Current standards for CMS style. The most
the Capitoline Triad” (MLA style)
recent edition of the University of Chicago
Whitley Rentfro, “Of Highways and Bike-
Press’ Chicago Manual of Style emphasizes the
ways: Filling the Lane for the Future” (APA
role of electronic research. All sample citations
style)
Clare Grady, “The Space Race: One Small This simple fact inspired the creation of REVEL:
Step—One Giant Leap” (CMS style) an interactive learning environment designed for
Charlotte Dawn Fullerton, “The Human the way today’s students read, think, and learn.
Glow Bug: Tanning Bed Dangers and Effects” REVEL enlivens course content with media
(CSE style) interactives and assessments—integrated directly
Sarah Morrison, “Annotated Bibliography: within the authors’ narrative—that provide oppor-
Media Ethics” (MLA style) tunities for students to read, practice, and study
Sarah Morrison, “Media Ethics: A Review of in one continuous experience. This immersive
Literature” (MLA style) educational technology replaces the textbook and
is designed to measurably boost students’ under-
Sample abstracts in MLA and APA style are
standing, retention, and preparedness.
also displayed. Additional sample research papers
Learn more about REVEL at www.pearson-
are available in the Instructor’s Manual, Model
highered.com/revel/.
Research Papers from across the Curriculum, and on
MyWritingLab. Instructor’s Manual This extensive
guide contains chapter-by-chapter classroom
Reference Works by Topic The list of
exercises, research assignments, quizzes, and
references in the Appendix, “Finding Refer-
duplication masters. Instructors can visit www.
ence Works for Your General Topic,” provides a
pearsonhighered.com/IRC to download a copy
user-friendly list of sources for launching your
of this valuable resource.
research project. Arranged into ten general cat-
egories, the Appendix allows a researcher to have
quick access to relevant library books, library da- Acknowledgments
tabases, and Internet sites. Many key people supported the development of
Accessible, Navigable Design As in pre- Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, Sixteenth
vious editions, Writing Research Papers is printed Edition. I am grateful to the following students for
in full color, making information and features eas- their help and for allowing me to use their work
ier to find and more pleasing to read, and bring- as models in this book: Ashley Irwin, Whitley
ing strong, visual elements to the instruction. Rentfro, Clare Grady, Charlotte Dawn Fullerton,
Icons identify special features, like the “Where and Sarah Morrison.
to Look” boxes signaling cross-references. The I am of course grateful to the reviewers
spiral-bound version of Writing Research Papers who provided helpful suggestions for this revi-
also includes tab dividers to make information sion, including Emory Reginald Abbott, Georgia
easier to find. The tabs include additional web- Perimeter College; Stevens R. Amidon, Indiana
sites, as well as tables of contents for the follow- University-Purdue University Fort Wayne; Crystal
ing sections. Bacon, Community College of Philadelphia; John
Christopher Ervin, Western Kentucky University;
Additional Resources for Morgan Halstead, Malcolm X Community College;
Candy A. Henry, Westmoreland County Commu-
Instructors and Students nity College; Joseph Kenyon, Community College
REVEL™ of Philadelphia; Mark M. Kessler, W ashington
Educational Technology Designed for the Way State Community College; Paulette Longmore,
Today’s Students Read, Think, and Learn When Essex County College; Anna Maheshwari, School-
students are engaged deeply, they learn more craft College; Andrew J. Pegman, Cuyahoga
effectively and perform better in their courses. Community College, Eastern Campus; Sylvia Y.
S. Rippel, Lincoln University; Jeffrey Roessner, Caleb, Jessica, and granddaughters Peyton and
Mercyhurst University; and Carrie Tomberlin, Bel- Paris. Their love and patience made this project
levue College. possible.
For editorial assistance that kept us focused,
special thanks are extended to the Pearson group, James D. Lester, Jr.
as well as Ohlinger Publishing Services. [email protected]
Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to the
members of my family: Martha, Sarah, Logan,