本书共有11章，分为三个部分。第一部分（第1至4章）是关于学术研究的基本知识，主要介绍如何利用图书馆的联机目录检索相关文献和资料以及如何对这些文件做初步的鉴别和判断。本部分还介绍了电子数据库的使用方法。第二部分（第5至6章）介绍如何通过互联网查找学术研究所需文献和资料。本部分讨论的很多方法与第一部分是相同的，但是通过互联网查找资料时，要更加注意资料来源的可靠性。第三部分（第7至11章）应该是本书的重点，也是本书的主体部分。该部分首先讨论了如何在利用数字资源时避免抄袭行为（包括有意的和无意的抄袭）。之后，该部分重点介绍了国际上通用的四种论文格式要求，即MLA、APA、CSE和CMS学术论文格式要求。为了便于读者阅读。在讨论中作者使用了大量的实例。

Preface

PART ONE RESEARCH BASICS

CHAPTER 1 GET OFF TO A GOOD START

Step 1 : Choose a Topic

Step 2: Narrow Your Focus

Exercises

CHAPTER Z FIND THE PERFECT MATCH

Where Do You Find the Perfect Match?

How Do You Find the Perfect Match?

Exercises

CHAPTER 3 BECOME A RESEARCH "SUPERSLEUTH"

Ask Questions

Make Connections

Background Checks

The Thrill of the Hunt

Exercises

CHAPTER 4 GET IMMEDIATE RESULTS: DATABASES

What Is a Database?

Get to Know Your Databases

How Do Databases Work?

Exercises

PART TWO RESEARCH USING THE WORLD WIDE WEB

CHAPTER 5 CASTYOUR NET IN STOCKED PONDS

Academic Research on the Internet Must Be Authenticated

Academic Research on the lnternet Must Be Done in "Stocked Ponds"

Use the Best Commercial Search Engines

Academic Research on the Internet Requires Careful Evaluation

Exercises

CHAPTER 6 FIELD RESEARCH ONLINE

Conducting an Interview

Developing a Survey

Exercises

PART THREE RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION

CHAPTER 7 DOCUMENTATION: GENERAL RULES

A Few Words About Plagiarism: DON'TDO IT

A Sure Way to Impress: Incorporate and Document with Skill

Ererc/ses

CHAPTER 8 DOCUMENTATION: MLA FORMAT

Directory of Citation and Entry Formats

MLA In-Text Citations

MLA Works Cited Entries

Sample Research Paper Using MLA Style

Sample Literary Analysis Research Paper Using MLA Style

CHAPTER 9 DOCUMENTATION: APA FORMAT

Directory of Citation and Entry Formats

APA in-Text Citations

APA Reference List Entries

Sample Research Paper Using APA Style

CHAPTER 10 DOCUMENTATION: CSE FORMAT

Directory of Citation and Entry Formats

CSE In-Text Citations

CSE Reference List Entries

Sample Research Paper Using CSE Style

CHAPTER 11 DOCUMENTATION: CMS FORMAT

Directory of Note and Bibliography Entry Formats

CMS Foomotes, Endnotes, and Bibliographies

CMS Footnote/Endnote and Bibliography Format

Sample Research Paper Using CMS Style

Index

Credits