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（@7911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M1A、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