Shields, Patricia M.2006-08-092012-02-241998-04-19Shields, P. M. (1998). Getting organized: A pragmatic tool for writing papers. Paper presented at the International Consortium for Educational Development in Higher Education, Austin, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/3987This paper describes a method for writing formal research papers. The technique, known as the "Notebook Method" has been applied successfully by graduate students, faculty and students in continuing education programs. The Notebook Method's success is measured in publications, award winning student papers, graduation rates and dollars. For example, after The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, Graduate Management Institute, Sam Houston State University began applying this technique their paper completion rate went from 32 in 1995 to 88 in 1996. Before implementation of the Notebook Method, the institute spent approximately $250,000 a year on the research component of their program. After instituting this method, the cost dropped to about $45,000 per year. One key to the notebook's success is its focus on organization. The technique is also powerful because it is grounded in "Pragmatism" as a philosophy of inquiry. Much of this paper is devoted to developing the link to pragmatism.Text15 pages1 file (.pdf)enresearch paper methodologyproject managementPolitical SciencePaper