Overview

A complete toolkit for undergraduate research, guiding students from first questions to finished project. Original Inquiry is a comprehensive interdisciplinary guide to research that introduces early undergraduates to inquiry-driven original research and the complex process of carrying out their own research projects. Rather than focusing solely on the writing of a research paper, Original Inquiry engages students fully in the research process, helping them to build a sturdy foundation of skills with which they can better adapt to all manner of research challenges and, more broadly, foster good habits in information literacy. Three sample sources are included in an appendix and annotated as if by a student researcher, illustrating how students might critically read and interact with sources in their own projects. Three model student projects are also included. Students will learn to: • Formulate—and refine—dynamic research questions • Recognize and work with all manner of sources and scholarly materials • Read and annotate sources effectively • Evaluate source quality and types of evidence • Build and organize a research archive • Respond to evidence • Synthesize research findings • Emphasize significance in conclusions

Full Product Details

Author:   Matthew James Vechinski
Publisher:   Broadview Press Ltd
Imprint:   Broadview Press Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.00cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.486kg
ISBN:  

9781554816002

ISBN 10:   1554816009
Pages:   310
Publication Date:   18 September 2025
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Introduction How to Use this Guide PART ONE: INTRODUCING ARGUMENTS Chapter 1: Original Research and Inquiry Chapter 2: Developing a Research Interest Chapter 3: The World of Sources Chapter 4: Reading for Original Research Chapter 5: Formulating Research Questions Chapter 6: Research Databases and Keyword Searches Chapter 7: Annotation: Gathering and Responding to Evidence Chapter 8: Research Beyond the Keyword Search Chapter 9 Adjusting Your Inquiry and Filling Gaps in Your Research Along the Way Chapter 10: Organizing and Synthesizing Your Research Findings Chapter 11: Emphasizing Originality When Presenting Your Research Findings Appendix A: Examples of Texts and Annotations A.1 Annotated Tertiary Text: “The Benefits of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity” A.2 Annotated Substantive Text: “Twilight of the Books: What Will Life Be Like If People Stop Reading?” A.3 Annotated Scholarly Text: “‘I Felt Like Such a Freshman’: First-Year Students Crossing the Library Threshold” Appendix B: Sample Research Products by Undergraduate Students B.1 Essay: “The Inconvenient Truth of Vinyl’s Comeback in the United States” B.2 Presentation: “Transit in Richmond: Considerations for the Local Government” B.3 Research Poster: “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Influence on Drug Behavior Among a Cohort of Incarcerated Individuals”

Reviews

“This book offers an engaging, pragmatic guide for undergraduates as they encounter the rewards and challenges of conducting original research. With clarity and precision, Original Inquiry demystifies the research process and shows how all students—when equipped with essential skills and habits of mind—can meaningfully contribute to the creation of new knowledge.” — Abigail Reardon, Executive Director, University Writing Program, The University of Chicago “Timely, original, and thorough, Original Inquiry is a standout among research guides for its approach to undergraduate research…. It will be invaluable to programs incorporating experiential and project-based learning approaches. In an era of growing concern about AI, this book demonstrates how research can remain ‘original.’” — Wendy Hayden, Co-Director First-Year Writing, Hunter College, CUNY “Matthew Vechinski recognizes that students can write well only when they are writing about something that matters to them…. With this book, your students will move beyond simply summarizing information like automatons and begin learning how to conduct research that creates new knowledge.” — Douglas O’Keefe, Auburn University

Author Information

Matthew James Vechinski is an associate professor and Coordinator of Academic Programming in the Department of Focused Inquiry and Associate Faculty Director of the Real-world Applications in Multidisciplinary and Project-based Studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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