Allyn & Bacon / Prentice Hall

Interdisciplinary Studies



Researching and Writing in the Social Sciences
Christine A. Hult, Utah State University

ISBN-10: 0205168418
ISBN-13: 9780205168415

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 1996
Format: Paper; 208 pp
Published: 11/28/1995

Suggested retail price: $48.00
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Students will learn to research and write papers in the social sciences with this thorough and complete guide to research in the social sciences. Part of a series on research writing across the curriculum, Researching and Writing in the Social Sciences provides discipline-specific guidance and sample papers that assist students in preparing their own social science papers. The text also covers general research methods and resources, with a comprehensive list of library resources and an introduction to the library's latest information access tools. With thorough and up-to-date material on the impact of computers in research, and exercises which develop the skills of summarizing, synthesizing, and critiquing source materials, Hult's text provides a complete guide to research styles and processes in the social sciences.

  • Presents comprehensive coverage of both primary and secondary research methods.
  • In-depth outlines of model student research projects in the social sciences.
  • Details the latest APA documentation formats for computerized sources.
  • Contains a complete listing of library resources, including computerized databases.
  • Features in-chapter exercises and discussion questions.



1. College Research.

The General Process of Research.

Preparation Incubation Illumination Verification

A Physician Uses the Research Process.

The Importance of Formulating and Testing Hypotheses.

The Inquiry Process in Social Science The Importance of Observing Human Behavior The Importance of Understanding Human Consciousness Objectivity versus Subjectivity



2. Library Resources.

Libraries and General Library of Resources.

The Library Reference Area Online Computer Catalogs How to Search the Online Catalog Internet Subject HeadingsRecording Bibliographic Information

Locating Articles in Serials.

Popular Periodicals Newspapers

Locating Articles in Serials: Professional Journals.

Locating Government Documents Online Database Services CD-ROM Searching

Discipline-Specific Resources for Social Science.

General Sources and Guides to Literature Dictionaries and Almanacs Handbooks Encyclopedia Biographies Indexes and Abstracts



3. Library Research Methods.

Preparation and Incubation.

Finding a Topic Gathering Research Materials A Computer Research Notebook The Working Bibliography Developing a Search Strategy Kirsten's Search Strategy Outlining a Time Frame Locating Sources

Working with Sources.

Reading for Meaning Active Reading and Notetaking Paraphrasing Appropriately and Avoiding Plagiarism How to Paraphrase Appropriately Making Section-by-Section Summaries ReviewingPerceiving the Author's Organizational Plan

Illumination and Verification.

Evaluation Evaluative Criteria

Writing from Sources.

Summarizing Synthesizing Critiquing



4. Primary Research Methods.

Primary Research in the Social Sciences.

Step 1—Problem and Hypothesis Step 2—Research Design Step 3—Gathering the Data Step 4—Analyzing the Data Step 5—Interpreting the Results

Social Science Research Designs.

Experiments Surveys and Questionnaires Interviews and Case Studies Observations

Field Observations and Reports.

Sample Social Science Report: Anthropology.



5. Planning and Writing Your Research Paper.

Rhetorical Situation.

Purpose Persona Audience Subject Matter Appropriate Language or Tone

Organization.

Revising Your Paper.

Revising for Structure and Style Improving Paragraphs Improving Sentences Improving Words Mechanical Errors

Rewriting Your Paper Using Word Processing.

Revising with Word Processing Editing with Word Processing Grammar- Checking Software Bibliography and Footnote Software Formatting and Printing Using Computers Proofreading

Manuscript Format.

Spacing Margins Title Numbering Indentation The Abstract The Endnote Page The References Page The Annotated Reference List The Appendix Using Graphics



6. Secondary Research Methods: Writing a Review Paper.

A Guide to the Social Science Research Process.

Preparation Developing a Search Strategy: Kirsten's Strategy The Library Reference Area General Sources

Focusing Your Search.

Reviews The Library Catalog Indexes and Abstracts Online Indexes and Abstracts Print Indexes

Evaluating Sources.

Taking Notes Primary Research

Organizing and Writing the Social Science Research Paper.

Arranging the Materials Planning and Outlining Writing the First Draft

Manuscript Preparation (APA Style).

Title Page Abstract Introduction Body Reference Page Appendix

Documentation in Social Science: The Author/Year Style.

Internal Citation The Reference List in APA Style.

Model References: Social Science (APA).

Exercises ands Research Project.

Sample Research Paper: Social Science Format (APA).

For Introduction to Social Science


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