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The Craft of Research, Third Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)

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Authors: Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$17.00~~
Buy New: $10.71
You Save: $6.29 (37%)

New (47) Used (88) from $7.31

Media: Paperback
Edition: 3
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 1

ISBN: 0226065669
Dewey Decimal Number: 001.42
EAN: 9780226065663
ASIN: 0226065669

Publication Date: April 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
DIVWith more than 200,000 copies in print, IThe Craft of Research /Iis the unrivaled resource for researchers at every level, from first-year undergraduates to research reporters at corporations and government offices. BR Now, seasoned researchers and educators Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams present an updated third edition of their classic handbook, whose first and second editions were written in collaboration with the late Wayne C. Booth. IThe Craft of Research/I explains how to build an argument that motivates readers to accept a claim; how to anticipate the reservations of readers and to respond to them appropriately; and how to create introductions and conclusions that answer that most demanding question, #8220;So what?#8221;BR The third edition includes an expanded discussion of the essential early stages of a research task: planning and drafting a paper. The authors have revised and fully updated their section on electronic research, emphasizing the need to distinguish between trustworthy sources (such as those found in libraries) and less reliable sources found with a quick Web search. A chapter on warrants has also been thoroughly reviewed to make this difficult subject easier for researchers. BR Throughout, the authors have preserved the amiable tone, the reliable voice, and the sense of directness that have made this book indispensable for anyone undertaking a research project. /DIV

Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing December 9, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

The third edition of this classic text pales when compared to the second edition. Many of the changes are cosmetic in nature and often blur what was clearly and succinctly stated in the second edition. For example, rearranging paragraphs within chapters often detract from what were logical sequences of ideas and information found in the second edition. Unfortunately, the authors, sans Booth, appear to abandon their own advice in order to create a new edition that will bolster sales. I hope the fourth edition, if there is a fourth edition, returns to the high standards one comes to expect from the University of Chicago and its press.

5 out of 5 stars

A classic October 29, 2008
I used the 2nd edition of this book and it got me through writing my honors thesis, and now that I'm in grad school I've found it useful, as have many of my colleagues. Sometimes it really helps to work your ideas out step by step - and this technique works whether you're using print or electronic resources. I find the authors' style to be candid and refreshing, and their approach can make any scholarly writing feel more doable. And while some people (like Freston) may find this book too elementary in its approach, I will say that in my experience as an editor of my department's working papers, I have found that many good papers could be made great if there was a bit more attention paid to the seemingly simple advice in this book like properly introducing data and clearly stating your focus. This book isn't just about becoming a better writer, it's also about becoming a better thinker.

5 out of 5 stars

Clean cut and straightforward October 27, 2008
I remember picking the second edition up off the University library shelf when i was in my second year after wandering aimlessly around the shelves looking for something to read (yea people still do that). This book is definatley the best of it's kind. It elminates all the anecodotal nonsesne of research theory and gets down to brass tacks, ASKING QUESTIONS. There are all to often books on how to do research but they learn more towards the gathering of information rather than how to formulate your topic and how to put the information together once you've got it. It may seem obvious to the experienced researcher but to most this book is a clean cut guide on how to do research properly. i recoomend this to anyone (i used my second edition so much the book fell apart hence i updated to the third edition) KUDOS AUTHORS

5 out of 5 stars

Good Antidote for "Just the Facts" Writing September 20, 2008
We all respect scientists--even budding science students--for their commitment to accuracy and objectivity. Sometimes our strengths are also our weaknesses. Beginning scientists can naively believe that their writing only needs to report the facts, that anything further is bias, sophistry or even dishonesty. This book lays out the path to a better writing style. Readers will learn how to arrange and present their facts and evidence as coherent arguments. As a result, they will better serve their own readers.br /br /The table of contents, outlined below, shows that the authors cover more than putting fingers to keyboard. Introductory chapters discuss the perspective and information needs of readers and how to connect with them. The authors address development of one's own authentic authorial "voice"--a topic often neglected in books about research writing. The next four chapters teach us how to conceptualize a research question, then find relevant and credible sources of information to answer it. The third edition contains a needed revision of the authors' earlier avoidant stance on the credibility of web-based information, containing good guidance for weeding flakey from factual online sources.br /br /Chapter 7, "Making Good Arguments: An Overview," is the keystone chapter and a relatively quick read at eleven pages. It's where to focus when deciding whether to read the rest of the book. The authors define their working vocabulary of arguments, reasons, evidence, claims and warrants. In this and the following four chapters they show us how to use these concepts to present our points and how to acknowledge and respond to positions with which we disagree. They demonstrate how to do this with integrity as well as skill.br /br /The final six chapters address the actual writing of a research report. Much of the advice on planning, drafting and revising is standard and consistent with other writing guides. Some, such as advice on graphical presentation of data, is an overview of information covered more thoroughly in other books (e.g., Tufte's Envisioning Information). But there is also a great deal of guidance on revising and fine-tuning arguments that is unique to these authors and their framework of written arguments. The closing chapter on style will help writers create clear and understandable structure while following their own authorial style. Recognizing they have presented only an introductory measure of what good writers need to know, the authors close with a comprehensive bibliography of readings, both online and in print.br /br /This book, thoughtfully read and put into practice, is as good as a course in professional writing. Read it, underline in it, bend back the page corners, and keep it nearby when you write your next report.br /br /--br /br /Brief Table of Contentsbr /br /I. Research, Researchers and Readersbr / - 1. Thinking in Print: The uses of Research, Public and Privatebr / - 2. Connecting with Your Reader: (Re-)Creating Yourselfbr /II. Asking Questions, Finding Answersbr / - 3. From Topics to Questionsbr / - 4. From Questions to a Problembr / - 5. From Problems to Sourcesbr / - 6. Engaging Sourcesbr /III. Making a Claim and Supporting Itbr / - 7. Making Good Arguments: An Overviewbr / - 8. Making Claimsbr / - 9. Assembling Reasons and Evidencebr / - 10. Acknowledgements and Responsesbr / - 11. Warrantsbr /IV. Planning, Drafting and Revisingbr / - 12. Planningbr / - 13. Drafting Your Reportbr / - 14. Revising Your Organization and Argumentbr / - 15. Communicating Evidence Visuallybr / - 16. Introductions and Conclusionsbr / - 17. Revising Style: Telling Your Story Clearlybr /V. Some Last Considerations

5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, concise resource for students and researchers August 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Have you ever faced a blank computer screen and were at a complete loss of what you should write about for a 10-page research paper due the next week? Or maybe you knew what you wanted to write about but didn't know how to start? Or maybe you had all your sources, wrote out a draft and realized that no one cares if The Great Gatsby illustrates the three Aristotelian elements of a tragedy?br /br /The Craft of Research helps students and researchers solve dilemmas like these and more. The authors dissect the anatomy of a research paper and create step-by-step stages that guide you all the way from choosing a topic to polishing your final product.br /br /The major sections of this book address how to form a good research claim that your readers will care about; how to find and evaluate sources; how to support your claim with evidence, reasons and warrants; and how to prepare, draft and revise your paper. The authors use simple and clear language, and if that's not enough, they provide easy-to-understand visuals and diagrams to help make their point.br /br /The authors also cover useful areas such as ethics (why you must always cite even when just discussing an idea of another writer's), the Internet (when it's acceptable to use web-based sources), and visuals (why 3-D graphs are a bad idea).br /br /Sure, some of the advice they provide you may already know, but as the authors cover nearly everything to do with research papers (albeit in a generalized way), there's something for everyone. It's also nice to have a guide that will remind you of everything you learned in your freshman English classes. Clear, concise, and accessible, the Craft of Research is one of the best books on research.br /

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