Research papers | Use the Catalog | Use the Internet | Citation guide

Writing Research Papers

Not sure where to start? Here's a partial list of the library's resources on writing research papers, with links to Google Books for summaries and reviews.

• Research design : qualitative & quantitative approaches / John W. Creswell. H 62 .C74 1994
• Qualitative evaluation and research methods / by Michael Quinn Patton. H 62 .P38 1990
• 12 easy steps to successful research papers / Nell W. Meriwether. LB 1047.3 .M47 1996
• Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day : a guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis / Joan Bolker. LB 2369 .B57 1998
• Writing the doctoral dissertation : a systematic approach / by Gordon B. Davis, Clyde A. Parker. LB 2369 .D357 1997
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition. LB 2369 .G53 2003
• Thesis writer's handbook : a complete one-source guide for writers of research papers / by Joan I. Miller and Bruce J. Taylor. LB 2369 .M45 1987
• How to complete and survive a doctoral dissertation / by David Sternberg. LB 2386 .S73 1981
• A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations : Chicago style for students and researchers / Kate L. Turabian ; revised by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and University of Chicago Press editorial staff. Ref. LB 2369 .T87 2007
• The elements of style / by William Strunk, Jr. ; with revisions, an introduction and a chapter on writing by E. B. White. PE 1408 .S87 2000
• The craft of research / Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams. Q 180.55 .M4 B66 2008
• Practical research : planning and design / Paul D. Leedy; Jeanne Ellis Ormrod. Ref. Q 180.55 .M4 L44 2005
• The practitioner-researcher : developing theory from practice / Peter Jarvis. Q 180.55 .M4 J37 1999
• Survivor's guide to library research / William B. Badke. Ref. Z 710 .B33 1990
• The American Library Association guide to information access : a complete research handbook and directory / Sandy Whiteley, editor. Ref. Z 711 .A4 1994
• Where to find what : a handbook to reference service / revised and updated by James M. Hillard. Ref. Z 1035.1.H54 1984

Using the Catalog

Searching the catalog
There are 3 basic ways to search the catalog:

1. Simple search: search one field at a time (e.g. title, author, subject heading); you can limit results by using either the "quick limit" drop-down box or the "limits" icon (for more detail, download our powerpoint presentation )
2. Builder search: allows you to search three fields simultaneously; again, you can limit the results by clicking the "limits" icon in the lower right corner
3. Course reserve: view items on course reserve by instructor, department, course, and section (semester and year)

Boolean Terms and Logic
In addition, the catalog allows you to broaden or narrow your searches and search terms with the use of Boolean Terms and Logic. The “Simple Search” page has a basic list of Boolean terms and Logic features at the bottom half of the page.

For a quick overview of how to better utilize Boolean Terms and Logic, go to SUNY Albany’s tutorial on Boolean searching; or, for a more in-depth guide, Boolean Searching on the Internet.

Using the Internet

There's a lot of information out there on the Internet, but finding what you're looking for can be tricky, especially if you're not sure exactly what you need. Here are some online guides to help you with that:

• Basic search techniques
• Evaluating web content
• Internet detective
• Research and documentation online

And here are a few places to start looking:

• Intute
• Internet Public Library
• Biblical's library's databases
• Yale University Divinity School Library research guide for Christianity
• Online Christian Library of Virtual Theological Resources

For more online resources, visit our reference toolkit and subject guides. And if you find a helpful website not linked to here, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Citation Guide

Importance & Purpose of Citation
Proper citation is extremely important for academic integrity. Citing sources serves three important purposes:

1. It credits the established work of others.
2. It provides a means for adhering to copyright law and guards against plagiarism.
3. It helps readers conduct further research on an issue and follow the development of an argument.

Citation Styles
The two most popular citation styles used at Biblical are Chicago Manual of Style and APA. Most programs prefer, but don't require, Chicago. The MA in Counseling (MAC) program requires the APA format. For most programs and courses, students should follow the preference of their professor. The most popular choice for other biblical studies is Turabian. It is highly recommended that students have a copy of the latest edition readily accessible while writing their papers or access one of the online resources at the following websites.

Chicago: The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition
Ref Z 253 .U69 1993 (14th edition)

Ohio State University's Chicago Citation Style Guide
Chicago Manual of Style Online Quick Guide
Automatic Citation Generator

APA: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition. Ref BF 76.7 .P8 2001 and BF 76.7 .P8 2001 (Library of Congress Room #1)

Long Island University's APA Citation Style Guide
Purdue's APA Citation Style Guide
Citation Machine
APA Style Guide FAQs

Turabian: A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th edition by Kate L. Turabian. Ref LB 2369 .T87 1996 and LB 2369 .T87 1996 (Library of Congress Room #3)

Long Island University's Turabian Citation Style Guide
Ohio State University's Turabian Citation Style Guide
University of Georgia's Turabian Citation Style Guide
Citation Machine

MLA: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition. Ref LB 2369 .G53 2003 and LB 2369 .G53 2003 (Library of Congress Room #3)

Long Island University's MLA Citation Style Guide
Purdue's MLA Citation Style Guide
Citation Machine

SBL: The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies. (Available at the circulation desk)

Rochester College's SBL Citation Style Guide
SBL's Student Supplement to the SBL Citation Style Guide (PDF)
Lycoming College's SBL Citation Style Guide