This document provides guidance on conducting research using library databases and summarizing key points: - Research databases contain scholarly articles and materials selected by experts, as opposed to general internet sources. These should be used first when researching a topic. - Determine relevant search terms and synonyms to find articles on your topic within databases like Communication & Mass Media Complete. - Sample searches are provided combining terms using operators like "and", wildcards, and phrase searching. - When searching databases, select the "Scholarly Peer Reviewed" option and limit to academic journals.

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3. The elements of the
record that you need to
create a reference list
Citation

4. Look for this button
to find out if the
item is full text
Get it @ CSULB

5. The library emails you
the PDF of the
requested article in less
than 72 hours
BeachReach.

6. Research Databases
Commercially published materials
Scholarly articles are reviewed by experts
Databases contents are hand selected
Use these FIRST for researching a topic
The Difference between the Internet and Research Databases

7. GetOrganized
Figure out the terms to
use to find articles on
your topic!
Determine vocabulary
that may be used in a
database
Remember synonyms

8. Scholarly Comm Articles
1 2 3 4 5
10-15
pages
long
Contain in-
depth analysis
about a very
narrow topic
Published in
an
academic
journal
Contains
words in the
abstract like:
Data, Participants,
this study, what
was done
20-40
references

9. Use this to connect
different variables. For
example: black and
white
and

10. Place your terms in the same
search box for
Comm Mass Media Complete
romantic or interpersonal

11. Use this to look for root
endings. For example:
rac* looks for racial,
race, races,

12. “ ”
Use this to search for
phrases. For example:
“social dating”

13. Sample Searches
Interview* and nonverbal
emoticons and interpersonal
disclosure and “electronic mediated communication”
cloth* or dress and first impression

14. Communication &
Mass Media
Complete
ALWAYS mark on the “Scholarly Peer Reviewed” checkbox
Always limit your search to Academic Journals

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23. Common Citation Errors.
1. Part of the citation is in ALL CAPS
2. Every Word Of The Article Title Is Capitalized
3. The journal title is not italicized
4. The ending page number for your article is missing
5. There is no hanging indent
Before

24. Fixing the Errors.
1. Change any words that are all caps
2. Make the appropriate words lower case
3. Italicize the Journal Title
4. Look at the PDF of your document and find the
ending page number
5. Create a hanging indent
After

25. Creates paragraphs
with hanging indents
in Microsoft Word.
Command for Mac
*