MTU Library Catalogue

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The curious researcher : a guide to writing research papers / Bruce Ballenger.

By: Ballenger, Bruce P.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: New York : Pearson/Longman, c2007Edition: 5th ed.Description: xxxiii, 375 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 0321366492 ; 9780321366498.Subject(s): Report writing -- Handbooks, manuals, etc | Research -- Handbooks, manuals, etcDDC classification: 808.02 | 807 BAL
Contents:
Introduction: Rethinking the Research Paper -- The first week -- The second week -- The third week -- The fourth week -- The fifth week.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode
General lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 808.02 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Checked out 23/11/2026 00158120
General lending MTU Kerry North Campus Library First Floor Main 807 BAL (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 38888000504179
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

An appealing alternative to traditional research texts, The Curious Researcher stands apart for its motivational tone, its conversational style, and its conviction that research writing can be full of rewarding discoveries. Offering a wide variety of examples from student and professional writers, this popular guide shows that good research and lively writing do not have to be mutually exclusive. Students are encouraged to find ways to bring their writing to life, even though they are writing with facts. A unique chronological organization sets up achievable writing goals while it provides week-by-week guidance through the research process. Full explanations of the technical aspects of writing and documenting source-based papers help students develop sound research and analysis skills.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Rethinking the Research Paper -- The first week -- The second week -- The third week -- The fourth week -- The fifth week.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Rethinking the Research Paper
  • Learning and Unlearning
  • Using This Book
  • The Exercises
  • The Five-Week Plan
  • Alternatives to the Five-Week Plan
  • The Research Paper and the Research Report
  • Discovering Your Purpose How Formal Should It Be
  • When "Bad" Writing Is Good
  • Thinking Like an Academic Writer
  • "Essaying" or Arguing
  • Becoming an Authority by Using Authorities
  • "It's Just My Opinion" Facts Don't Kill
  • The Question Habit
  • 1 The First Week
  • The Importance of Getting Curious
  • Learning to Wonder Again
  • Getting the Pot Boiling
  • What Is a Good Topic
  • Making the Most of an Assigned Topic
  • Developing a Working Knowledge
  • Narrowing the Subject
  • Circling the Lighthouse
  • From Landscape Shots to Close-Ups
  • Possible Purposes for a Research Assignment
  • Reading for Research
  • Reading Rhetorically
  • Reading like an Outsider
  • 2 The Second Week
  • Developing a Research Strategy
  • The Internet Itch: Should You Scratch It First?
  • Library Research Strategy
  • Internet Research Strategy
  • Three Drawbacks of Internet Research
  • Three Reasons to Use the Internet for Research
  • The Invisible Web
  • Search Languages: Words That Open Doors
  • Controlled Language Searches
  • Boolean Searching
  • Magic Words on the World Wide Web
  • Developing Deep Knowledge
  • Library Research Techniques
  • Finding Books
  • Understanding Call Numbers
  • Internet Research Techniques
  • Types of Search Engines
  • Living Sources: Interviews and Surveys
  • Arranging Interviews
  • Planning Informal Surveys
  • Conducting Surveys
  • 3 The Third Week
  • Writing in the Middle