Best Bets for Starting Your Research in... :: Communication::
Use databases to find articles on your topic. These databases are the best place to start.
- Communication & Mass Media Complete
Journals in areas related to communication and mass media.
- CQ Researcher and CQ Global Researcher
Great for Argument and Advocacy classes, these sources explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology.  Listen to a fun podcast "interview" with the CQ Researcher database: iTunes RealPlayer
- Academic OneFile
With extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects, Academic OneFile is both authoritative and comprehensive. Listen to a fun podcast "interview" with this database: iTunes RealPlayer
Tips: When searching databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses to focus your search.
The asterisk * symbol will search for all variations of a word. For example: femini* will search for feminist, feminists, feminism, and feminine. Using quotes will search for a phrase.
Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses, like this:
femini* AND (film OR "motion picture")
Here's another example:
(workplace) AND (email OR "electronic mail")
Already have the citation? Find an article with citation linker!
Did you know...
Databases are basically just search engines for articles on specific subjects. |
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Find books using the library catalog. Browse these subjects to get general information on your topic.
- Mass Media
- Mass Media and Children
- Intercultural Communication
- Business Communication
Search the library catalog! Find books, media materials, and more. Other searches:
Browse | Advanced Search Tips: When searching the library catalog with keywords, use the dollar sign ($) to search for a word and all of its variations.
For example: communic$ will search for communicate,communicates, communicated, communication, and communications at the same time.
Did you know...- WorldCat is a catalog of thousands of libraries around the world!
- If a book isn't in the Fairfield University catalog, search WorldCat and request the book from another library. Just click on the Interlibrary Loan button
- You can search ReQuest to search just the libraries in Connecticut.
- Contact John Cayer, Interlibrary Services, with questions.
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Communication Associations:
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Reference tools such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are good places to start your research because they provide an overview of the topic as well as keywords, dates, and facts.
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Handbooks
- Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media - Located on the main level at
REF HQ784 .M3 E53 2007 V.1 and V.2
- Encyclopedia of Communication and Information- Located on the main level at REF P87.5 .E53 2002 V.1 1 REF
- Encyclopedia of New Media : an essential reference to communication and technology -Located on the main level at REF QA76.575 .E5368 2003
- Encyclopedic Dictionary of Semiotics, Media, and Communications - Located on the main level at REF P87.5 .D36 2000
- Handbook of Family Ccommunication - Located on the upper level at HQ519 .H36 2004
- Handbook of Health Communication - Located on the upper level at R118 .H26 2003
- Handbook of Political Communication Research - Located on the upper level at JA85 .H36 2004
- Handbook of Sports and Media -Located on the upper level at GV742 .H35 2006
- SAGE Handbook of Gender and Communication - Located on the upper level at P96 .S48 S34 2006
- SAGE Handbook of Nonverbal Communication - Located on the upper level at BF637 .N66 S24 2006
Tips: Try looking at the bibliography at the end of the entry for a list of other sources such as relevant journal articles and books.
When you have found books on your topic, look at the books on the shelf nearby to see if they are related to your topic.
Did you know...
Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, so make sure you use another source to confirm the information you find there. |
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These web sites have been evaluated by librarians (that's a good thing) for your use in an academic setting.
Did you know...
There are billions of web pages and Google only finds a fraction of them (about 15%). The rest is held in what's called the "Invisible Web", which is made up of dynamically generated information, password protected sites, and database-driven sites!
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Use these e-learning modules to get quick answers!
Still have questions?
Contact your Communication Librarian, Jackie Kremer @
- jkremer@mail.fairfield.edu or
- call her at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2587 or
- IM her at fairfieldjack at AIM |
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Get help 24/7! Via Web chat at http://www.fairfield.edu/lib_askalibrarian.html
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