This document provides an overview and introduction to communication research. It discusses key elements like citations, abstracts, research databases, search strategies, and evaluating sources. Specific databases are recommended for topics like rhetoric, film, music, and social issues. Guidance is offered on selecting an artifact to research and finding background information and related terms. Potential red flags in sources are also outlined. The document aims to help students better understand and conduct communication research.

1. Communication 200
Introduction
to
Communication Research
Rhetoric
Tiffini Travis
Communication Studies
Librarian

2. Citations: elements of a book, article or website
Abstract: Summary of an article
Get it @CSULB: links you to the full text of the
article
Research Databases: The ONLY place you
should go for your scholarly articles

3. 4 scholarly sources
2 social science 2 rhetoric
http://www.flickr.com/photos/friendlydragon/5017603526/

4. Narrows a search
Both terms appear in same record
AND
Terms have different meanings
example: internet AND socialization
Broadens a search
Either term may appear in record
OR
Terms have similar meanings
example: (viewing OR watching)

5. Can look for multiple endings of a
word or plurals
asterisk
theor* theory theories
Allows you to specify how close
you want your terms to appear in
the record
Proximity
Phrase Searching
online w1interaction
“online interaction”

6. Scholarly 5
publications ways to tell it’s a
Rhetoric Article
Does not follow a standard format
Published in an academic journal
Contains words like: analysis,
representations, rhetoric, hegemony, popular
culture, critique
References are not all academic
Uses MLA citation style

7. RED FLAGS
Contains numbers
or data
Says “content
analysis”
Says “this study”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianna_03/2577391361/
Is reviewing a BOOK

8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpHsCQ8tVcM

9. Select a socially relevant artifact
Major
Themes
Background
Information synonyms
related terms
Genre

10. Football
Factory
masculinity
film
Motion pictures
Football Factory sports
Images of Masculinity and violence Football Factory
soccer
Hooligans
London

11. Football
Factory
Masculinity and (motion picture* or film*)
Sports and masculin*
Football Factory
Soccer and hooligan*
London and sport* and violence
Football supporters and england
West ham
millwall

12. Depending on
your artifact it
Things to might not have
remember when scholarly research
researching
Think outside
Rhetoric the box!
Think in terms of themes, big picture
research, social significance for scholarly
research

13. Communication Databases
Communication & Mass Media complete
Academic Search Complete

14. Film Research
Humanities and Social Sciences Index
Retrospective
Film Literature
Index
(1976-2001)
Film Literature Index (1973 to date PRINT)

15. Music Databases
Music Index
RILM Abstracts of Music Literature

16. Social Significance
Socio-political
sources
American history and life
Historical Abstracts
JSTOR
SocIndex
Sociological abstracts

17. Film Analysis
Coast Popular Culture
History
Newspapers (Proquest)
Other Useful
Lexis Nexis
Databases
Gale Literary Database

18. Get a Library Password
Go to Coast
https://coast.library.csul
b.edu/patroninfo
Type in your name,
CSULB I.D. #, and a
Password of your
choice
Confirm Password by
typing it twice more
If the screen shows your
name- it worked! If you forgot your password call: 562 985-5512 and
get it erased so you can create a new one!

19. I am STILL Confused
Tiffini Travis ttravis@csulb.edu Twitter: csulb_library

20. Photo Credits
Check out their Flickr Profiles
http://flickr.com/people/anomalous/
http://flickr.com/people/bright/
http://flickr.com/people/7364897@N02/
http://flickr.com/people/gmcquaig/
http://flickr.com/photos/amyclam/
http://flickr.com/photos/maitexu/
http://flickr.com/photos/lacapsula/
http://flickr.com/photos/marccoppola/