Painless Research Projects (Barron's Painless Series) [Paperback]

Rebecca S. Elliott Ph.D. (Author), James Elliott M.A. (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's Painless Series | Publication Date: May 5, 1998

Even very good students think that doing a research project is an excruciating task. They might know their subject well, but they find it easier to go out and dig ditches than to gather facts and organize them into a research paper or project. Rebecca Elliott, the author of Barron's just published Painless Grammar, and her husband James have written a new book to help middle school students turn research into a painless--even enjoyable--process. Their formula is pure common sense. They begin with advice on choosing a topic, then guide students through the thickets of library research, interviewing experts for information, using the Internet, making notes, writing a rough draft, and producing a finished research report. They take students step-by-step through a sample research paper and end with tips on compiling a bibliography. Also featured is an Internet address book with 56 informative websites. Their delightful, user-friendly approach demonstrates that doing a research project really isn't such a burdensome task after all!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (May 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764102974
• ISBN-13: 978-0764102974
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,238,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easy to teach with, October 8, 2000

By 

"bubbiesmom" (Gaithersburg, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painless Research Projects (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

Not only is this book easy for ANYone to learn how to write a reasearch paper, it is especially interesting to kids because of the style of writing. It was funny! But also informative. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels uninformed on the basics of how to write a research paper.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revisit English Writing, April 10, 2008

By 

Richard D. Ondo "Authorondo" (Fairport Harbor, Oh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painless Research Projects (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

It's a nuts and bolts English class. It's never too late to review no matter how old we become. This is a very pratical book to answer writing questions. These Ph.D's got it right.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painless is Perfect!, November 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Painless Research Projects (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

This book really helps! Now, we can do something well (other than just play football).