The act of research – whether in the natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities – undergirds so much of modern society. The skills help us think and then test those thoughts in light of outside information (data). Without a rigorous set of methods, this act can become mere people pleasing, but with a firm framework, it continues to transform the way the world lives. This book, an educational standard for almost three decades with five authors, clearly communicates research’s foundations to those learning the craft. It’s appropriate for the classroom and individuals starting careers.

All authors were or are professors of English, so this book has a natural leaning towards the humanities. Nonetheless, it attempts to address all facets of the academic enterprise. Because the authors are involved with language, it communicates cognitive nuances that might be missed by experts in a field. Its wording is eloquent, and organization, tight.

Like most academic works, this book heavily relies on concepts and classical works, yet it also uses relatable, conversational English to convey its message. It walks readers through steps including why to identify as a researcher, how to pursue the process, how to think carefully, and how to communicate findings. As easily imaginable, the authors do a superb job of enhancing readers’ personal writing style in the last chapter.

We live in an information age where thinking about the world has become the most important skill. Ironically, some question the value of an education even in an information-rich environment. If information is freely available, they ask, what do universities have to offer? This book offers a forthright answer. A college education and research training offer students the ability to think and process the world constructively. Especially suited for later later undergraduates and early graduate students, this book shines a clear path forward for individual careers and ultimately society’s advance. ( )

Every bit the classic it has long and widely been held to be.

useful book ( )

4.5 really. One of the most clearly written and helpful technical-writing books I've ever read. ( )

I'm giving it two stars because it did have a handful of helpful points. But only a handful.

I'm working on a book and thought reading this might be a good foundation/review before doing so. I was wrong. I just wasted three months of my time.

The issues are many fold. Firstly the near rage inducing repetition. I could make a hefty list of all the things that were mentioned no less then 30 or 40 times. I wish I were exaggerating. I really do. 90% of the book is information I learned in and around forth grade, and even then it's presented poorly. The bias against research and exploratory research reaches the point of near violence. Everything is a rhetorical battle, not an honest presentation of facts and reason. If I had followed this book during my prior degree I would had done so poorly that I might have been asked to leave.

The STEM bias is carried over to the point of ridiculousness. Anything that cannot carry some dramatic point or solve some earth shattering problem is dismissed out of hand.

Which brings me to the next issue, the "problem". Not everything is a "problem". There is not always going to be a "problem". A great deal of writing is done for relevance to a topic, for the furtherance of understanding for those who work within a field. Or just because the topic is fun and it's fun to learn more about it. Yet the book is near silent on how to make a topic interesting, instead devoting the overwhelming majority of its bulk to "problems". Leading a non-problem reader to look at it and say "so what?"

Both these writing realities are utterly disparaged. If you intend to do either of these styles of writing avoid this book like the plague. It will only frustrate you.

As mentioned before, it does have a few useful points. However I can't help but feel the basic tips could have found in a book that wouldn't have turned out to be to frustratingly useless otherwise.

I did for find a writing guide mentioned in the bibliography that looks promising. If only any of the writers of this book had was it before writing this one. This book is time I'm never getting back. ( )