The Craft of Research

"If instead you find a topic that you care about, ask a question that you want to answer, then pursue that answer as best as you can, your project can have the fascination of a mystery whose solution richly rewards your efforts." (p. 14)

"That signifficance might at first be just for yourself, but you join a community of researchers when you can state that significance from your readers’ point of view. In so doing, you create a stronger relationship with readers because you promise something in return for their interest in your report—a deeper understanding of something that matters to them. At that point, you have posed a problem that they recognize needs a solution." (p. 51-52)

"What distinguishes great researchers from the rest of us is the brilliance, knack, or just dumb luck of stumbling over a problem whose solution makes all of us see the world in a new way." (p. 62)

"Sometimes you will care only about the conclusion, but readers usually want to see how a conclusion emerges from the argument supporting it. So when you take notes, record not only conclusions but also the arguments that support them." (p. 98)

"But a researcher can make such a mistake inadvertently if he notes only words and not their role in an argument.

Distinguish statements that are central to an argument from qualifications or concessions the author acknowledges but downplays. Unless you are reading “against the grain” of the writer’s intention—to expose hidden tendencies, for example—do not report minor aspects of a research report as though they were major or, worse, as if they were the whole of the report." (p. 98)

"How and why sources agree is as important as the fact that they do. In the same way, sources might disagree, because they interpret the same evidence differently or take different approaches to the problem.

It is risky to attach yourself to what any one researcher says about an issue. It is not “research” when you uncritically summarize another’s work. Even if your source is universally trusted, be careful. If you rely on at least two sources, you’ll almost always find that they do not agree entirely, and that’s where your own research can begin. Which has the better argument? Which better respects the evidence? In fact, you have a research problem right there—whom should we believe?

Remember that your report will be accurate only if you double- check your notes against your sources, and after your first draft, check your quotations against your notes. If you use one source extensively, skim its relevant parts to be sure you in fact understand it. At this point, you may believe in your claim so strongly that you read everything in its favor. Despite our best intentions, that temptation afflicts us all. There is no cure, save for checking and rechecking. And rechecking again." (p. 99)

"When you respond to alternatives with reasons and evidence for rejecting them, you “thicken” your argument, making it increasingly rich and complex, thereby enhancing your credibility as someone who does not oversimplify complex issues. Readers respect you and your argument when you bring their voices into your report by acknowledging their view." (p. 146)

"Warrants are difficult to grasp, but once you do, you understand why important issues are so endlessly contested; why, when you feel your case is watertight, your readers can still say, Wait a minute. What about . . . ? Careful readers regularly challenge reasons because they are not grounded on sound evidence, but no less often because they seem irrelevant to a claim. To answer the first
objection, you must find better evidence. To answer the second, you must construct a warrant that makes your reasons relevant. If you can’t, you must revise your argument." (p. 162)

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research (3 ed.). Chicago & London: The University of Chicago Press.