Course Guides
Databases
Scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles may be located by searching our subscription databases. Listed below are suggestions for the most useful databases for articles on communication studies. A complete list of all our Digital Resources are available from the Databases link.
- Academic Search Premier [INFO]
- Communication & Mass Media Complete (many full-text) [INFO]
- Business Source Premier (many full-text) [INFO]
Books and More
The Library catalog (LOLA) is a database of books and other print/non-print materials, such as videos/DVDs, music CDs, and scores. The catalog offers a variety of searches - Keyword, Subject, Author, Title, and Call Number. At the university level, it is essential to use books for nearly all research needs. Both historical and new developments may be found in books.When searching the Online catalog, be sure to try both a KEYWORD and a SUBJECT search - they will provide different results. A few examples of standard LC Subject Headings for topic related to communication studies are shown below:
- Subject search for Communication
- Subject search for Communication, Social Aspects
- Subject search for Communication In Organizations
- Subject search for Intercultural communication
- Subject search for Interpersonal communication
- Subject search for Nonverbal communication
- Subject search for Oral Communication
- Subject search for telecommunication
- Subject search for Written communication
- Subject search for Mass Media
Subjects under Mass Media:
- Broadcasting
- Broadcast Journalism
- Journalism
- Motion Pictures
- Press
- Public Relations
- Radio Broadcasting
- Television Broadcasting
- Women in Mass Media
Reference Material
Reference sources are a good starting point for research - they provide background information on a topic, identify and explain key concepts, or cite critical research that has been done. Some key resources for communications studies are listed below.
- Language and communication : a cross-cultural encyclopedia
- Encyclopedic dictionary of semiotics, media, and communications
- Encyclopedia of communication and information
- Encyclopedia of international media and communications
- Television: critical concepts in media and cultural studies
- Encyclopedia of new media : an essential reference to communication and Technology
- Chronology of communication in the United States
Additional titles may be located by consulting the specific course guide listed at the top, by seaching the Library catalog, or by consulting the Reference Librarian.
Web Sites
In general, web sites are not the best choices for serious research because there is no guarantee the information posted there is authoritative, current, or sufficiently in-depth. Only use sites that you know are reputable, scholarly, current, and unbiased. The following are links to sites that seem to meet these criteria:
- Internet Resources for the Study of Communications (Princeton University)
- Online Communication Studies Resources (University of Iowa)
- Index of websites related to Media
More…
- Ask a Librarian
- Subject librarian: Lissa Zinfon
