Welcome, COMM 5400!
This is the research guide for the Communication Research Capstone course. My name is Barbara Ghilardi and I am the research librarian leading your class session. If you need further help this semester (and beyond!) feel free to contact me at bghilardi@fairfield.edu.
Selected Databases
Use databases to find articles in the field of Communication.
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Communication & Mass Media CompleteOffers full-text and indexing for journals covering communication, mass media, and other related fields.
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Academic Search PremierThis multidisciplinary database contains peer-reviewed journals, magazines, newspapers, ebooks, and videos.
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CQ ResearcherReporting and analysis of domestic and international issues in the news. Reports include background and chronology; tables and maps; and a pro-con debate.
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Global Issues in ContextProvides access to international newspapers, primary source documents, country information, statistics, background sources, and videos that support global awareness to help with understanding current world issues.
Theories & Research Methods
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Encyclopedia of Communication TheoryCall Number: Online and Reference Main Level P87.5 .E496Publication Date: 2009
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The Sage Encyclopedia of Communication Research MethodsCall Number: OnlineISBN: 9781483381435Publication Date: 2015
Evaluate Your Sources
The video below recaps the peer review process, which you are probably already familiar with. The following are additional important criteria to consider as you complete your literature reviews:
- become familiar with the major scholars working on your research topic
- keep an eye out for bias, errors, contradictions, or misinformation
- research the sponsorship of the research study
- consider intercultural, political, international, and ethnic influences or perspectives
Beyond the DNL
Can't find the book or article you want?
Try Interlibrary Loan (ILL)! With ILL, you can:
- Use materials from other libraries' collections free of charge
- Get articles via e-mail within 3-5 business days
- Get books within 2 weeks
- Be notified by e-mail when your items arrive (physical materials will be held at the Library in your name)
Request materials online:
Other options for finding books:
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WorldcatSearch this worldwide library catalog to see which libraries own a book. Once you've found the book you want, you can click on the "Get From Other Libraries (ILL)" link.
If all else fails, you can always try searching Google Books to see if you can access the partial or full text of the book you need!
Other options for finding articles:
Sometimes if the Library doesn't have the full text of an article, you can find it by searching for the article title in Google Scholar.
Google Scholar
Use Google Scholar as shown in class to locate more recent research. Paste in the title of your article in quotes and then click on the Cited By link to see all of the articles that have subsequently cited the original article. This is also a great tool to use to gauge influential an article is - how many times has it been cited?
Google Alerts are a great way to follow a company or topic. Set up one here: https://www.google.com/alerts
Ask a Librarian
