The Bedford Researcher

Tech-savvy and student-friendly, The Bedford Researcheraddresses the kinds of writing students actually do and the kinds of sources they actually use, from multimodal projects and oral presentations to Web sites and digital databases. The Bedford Researcherstrips away the complexities of research writing and offers the practical help students need to write with confidence while integrating electronic sources and tools into each stage of the process. The new fourth edition strengthens students' grasp of the arguments at the core of their sources, helping them navigate the world of academic research writing.

Mike Palmquist, Associate Vice Provost at Colorado State University, is nationally recognized for his work in writing across the curriculum and computer-supported writing instruction. He directs CSU’s Institute for Learning and Teaching, has directed its University Composition Program, and developed Writing@CSU (http://writing.colostate.edu), a model writing center Web site at Colorado State University. Palmquist is the author of numerous articles and essays on writing and teaching with technology and the founding editor of The WAC Clearinghouse (http://wac.colostate.edu), the leading Web site supporting writing across the curriculum. He has served on the executive committee of the National Council of Teachers of English and as chair of the NCTE College Section Steering Committee. In 2004, he received the Charles Moran Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field, which recognizes "exemplary scholarship and professional service to the field of computers and writing."  In 2006, he was presented with the Outstanding Technology Innovator Award by the CCCC Committee on Computers in Composition and Communication.

* indicates new or significantly revised content Preface for Instructors
Introduction for Writers 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?