Related Tags

Geared toward the secondary-school student with the looming research project and the tendency toward procrastination, Barron's guide holds the reticent researcher's hand through the fearful steps of starting, pursuing, and completing the task. As any procrastinator knows, starting the project is the hardest part. The chapter on picking a topic eases that first step, helping the student to find an idea he or she is interested in, then expanding or narrowing it to an appropriate and manageable scope. Subsequent chapters explore how best to use the library, how to do research over the Internet, and how to prepare for and carry out interviews, followed by essential chapters on note-taking, organizing, writing, and revising. Including a sample research report, and appendixes of check-lists, bibliography options, and Internet addresses, the Elliotts' research guide would be appropriate as a classroom text, an addition to the school library's reference shelf, or an individual purchase to give a kid some help at home.

With its light tone, appealing format and illustrations, and uncomplicated, eminently achievable goals, this book will ease a lot of pain, including the anxious student who's been assigned the research project; the parents, who might otherwise be tasked with pushing their resistant child through what would surely become an onerous experience for everyone; and the teacher, who would rather dole out high praise and grades than schedule a parent conference to discuss that term project that never got done. --Stephanie Gold [via]