The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)

What moron decided that The Craft of Research, one of the few writing manuals that's really useful at the graduate level and above, needed to have lots more of the same old prescriptive writing advice that stuffs every other pointless undergraduate handbook? If I just want someone to explain what a verb is and tell me to "write clearly," I can pick any writing manual from 2017 back to 1551 and get the same value for my dollar. (P.S. If 400+ years of going over the grammar in writing hasn't fixed undergraduate essays yet, perhaps publishers ought to start promoting some other method...?)I'm particularly peeved that Chapter 8—which used to contain Booth et al.'s priceless commentary on "contestable, defensible, substantive"—has been gutted. For example, it now includes a description of "claims of evaluation" (i.e., self-appointed arbitrations of taste) as though they're wholly on a par with academic research, and gives as its example EXACTLY the thesis statement I warn all my students against. Thanks, boys. Thanks a lot. Time to look for as many copies of the 3rd edition as I can find.

As a PhD student, I had written dozens and dozens of research papers before reading this book. I wish now that I could redo them. The information presented in this book is clear and thorough. Even on my first skim of the book I have learned valuable skills that will improve my writing!! I only wish my undergrad professors had forced me to read this book previously!!

This book was recommended by a professor in my doctoral program. It offers some great insight and was a fast/easy read. If you are doing research, this is one of the books you need..

In a carefully crafted and succinct outline, Booth and company examine every step of the academic research process, from the “why” of research through forming the research question, formulating an argument, and revision. The book also includes helpful final chapters on the ethics of research, formulation of writing assignments for teachers, and an appendix of research tools for both off- and online. The book’s section on making an argument strong is especially helpful in an age of speciously argued claims. As the authors say in the first chapter, “Why should I adopt language and forms that are not mine? Aren’t you just trying to turn me into an academic like yourself? If I write as you expect me to, I risk losing my identity. Such concerns are legitimate (most teachers wish students would raise them more often). But it would be a feeble education that did not change you at all, and the deeper your education, the more it will change the ‘you’ that you are or want to be. That’s why it’s so important to choose carefully what you study and with whom. But it would be a mistake to think that learning to report sound research must threaten your true identity. It will change the way you think, but only by giving you more ways of thinking.” Careful attention to both the how and why of objective research-based writing is a sorely needed skill in our post-information age. I plan to teach my masters thesis students to do so, and hopefully many of you will do the same. In a carefully crafted and succinct outline, Booth and company examine every step of the academic research process, from the “why” of research through forming the research question, formulating an argument, and revision. The book also includes helpful final chapters on the ethics of research, formulation of writing assignments for teachers, and an appendix of research tools for both off- and online. The book’s section on making an argument strong is especially helpful in an age of speciously argued claims. As the authors say in the first chapter, “Why should I adopt language and forms that are not mine? Aren’t you just trying to turn me into an academic like yourself? If I write as you expect me to, I risk losing my identity. Such concerns are legitimate (most teachers wish students would raise them more often). But it would be a feeble education that did not change you at all, and the deeper your education, the more it will change the ‘you’ that you are or want to be. That’s why it’s so important to choose carefully what you study and with whom. But it would be a mistake to think that learning to report sound research must threaten your true identity. It will change the way you think, but only by giving you more ways of thinking.” Careful attention to both the how and why of objective research-based writing is a sorely needed skill in our post-information age. I plan to teach my masters thesis students to do so, and hopefully many of you will do the same.

It’s still the best, esp. for new or returning graduate students, or for new faculty who teach grad classes or work in a research lab. It’s very clear without dumbing down the information, and does an excellent job of putting research questions in context. I still refer my grad students to the first chapters, esp. because the author takes the reader by the hand through examples of how to construct a decent research question, from scope to validity. Hard to beat.

My university students adore this book. They all wish they were assigned it in their first year of college rather than their fourth year (when they have me).

Got for required reading in my graduate thesis class. Excellent book. Should be required in high school.

I’ve been writing research papers for a number of years now and have heard some of this advice from time to time. Having it all in one place and reading it through has done wonders for me as I work through my senior thesis. Definitely not too late to give this book a chance.

I have bought/borrowed a number of 'how to' books in my time on writing for academic purposes, but this one is the one that has really informed and inspired me. I keep it handy all the time for my academic writing/researching. It covers everything in clear and understandable instructions. But it also inspired me to keep writing and testing myself. A great book.

I have this book as required reading on a research course I teach. Highly readable content (though I think the 3rd edition has better formatting) that is easily put into practice. A great learning tool for those in the early stages of research practice, and as a reference tool for the more seasoned researcher to help us better communicate why we do what we do.

Timely, Good shape

The word "Craft" in the title is definitive of the incredible resource this book is to the serious writer. University instructors have continuously told me I have a "gift" as an author and have encouraged me to develop it further. This book escalated my talent exponentially to fine tune my skills. I highly endorse this book for anyone that wants to improve their research and writing skills!

Well worth your attention. This comprehensive and well set out companion to the research process offers up insightful methods for staying closely aligned with what your research sets out to achieve. By enticing you to consider the view point of your readership, the authors take you through a robust process that resolves to keep your attention directed toward only that which will brings you closer to your end goal of convincing your reader. By master-designing a question-problem-resolution approach you can sharpen your research techniques and bring your efforts into a more disciplined focus. Giving this book your attention will reward you with tighter research habits and a better understanding of how to direct a more effective research process.