Getting Started
The resources on this page are intended to help you plan your research, identify and refine your topic, build your keyword vocabulary, and find general sources. Explore the other pages on this guide for help locating specific sources for your research.
Plan Your Research
Not sure how long it will take you to complete an assignment? Want to make sure that you're not stuck at the last minute?
The Assignment Calculator can help you plan your work. Don't forget to email yourself the schedule, or print it - both options are at the bottom of the page.
Research Starters
We all use Wikipedia, but if you want something authoritative and reliable, Britannica® Academic is a great option. Like all encyclopedias, this source is a good way to find background information on a topic.
- Encyclopedia Britannica - Academic This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Britannica Academic.
CQ Researcher is a great source for information about current events and controversies. However, it also has some useful historical information, usually about political events (ex. U.S.-Iran relations). We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access CQ Researcher.
Opposing Viewpoints is a great source for information about current events, especially controversial ones. They provide a wide variety of sources on each topic - everything from opinion essays to scholarly articles. We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take.
- Opposing Viewpoints In Context (Gale) This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
If the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Opposing Viewpoints.
This source is very similar to Opposing Viewpoints in Context - it's a good place to look for information on controversial issues.
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Points of View Reference Center.
General Reference Sources & Background Information
- Social Media Communications: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law, and Ethics, 2018print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM741 .L563 2018
- The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication, 2016print only, Reference Collection, 1st Floor Lobby, call number: P94.7 .I55 2016
- The Handbook of Communication Ethics, 2011also available in print, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94 .H353 2011
- The SAGE Handbook of Interpersonal Communication, 2011print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: BF637.C45 I645 2011
- APA Handbook of Intercultural Communication, 2010print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1211 .A65 2010
- Encyclopedia of Communication and Information, 2002also available in print, Reference Collection, 1st Floor Lobby, call number: P87.5 .E53 2002
- Language and Communication: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia, 1998print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P29 .F47 1998
Broadcasting & Mass Media: Selected Sources
- Asian American Media Activism: Fighting for Cultural Citizenship, 2016print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94.5.A752 U656 2016
- American Indians and the Mass Media, 2012print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94.5.I53 A64 2012
- Broadcast News Handbook: Writing, Reporting & Producing in a Converging Media World, 2011print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4784.T4 T76 2011
- The Handbook of Mass Media Ethics, 2009print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94 .H355 2009
- The Handbook of Children, Media, and Development, 2008print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HQ784.M3 H26 2008
- Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Politics, 2007print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P95.82.U6 E47 2007
- Handbook of Media Management and Economics, 2006print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, P96.M34 H366 2006
- The SAGE Handbook of Media Studies, 2004also available in print, Reference Collection, 1st Floor Lobby, call number: P90 .S18 2004
- The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood, 2003print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN1995.9.M56 M85 2003
- Racism, Sexism, and the Media: The Rise of Class Communication in Multicultural America, 2003print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94.5.M552 U69 2003
- Women and American Television: An Encyclopedia, 1999print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN1992.8.W65 L69 1999
- Cultural Diversity and the U.S. Media, 1998print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P94.5.M552 U628 1998
- History of the Mass Media in the United States: An Encyclopedia, 1998print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: P92.U5 H55 1998
Journalism: Selected Sources
- Journalism Ethics for the Digital Age, 2014print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4756 .M85 2014
- Global Journalism Ethics, 2010also available in print, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4756 .W37 2010
- The Edge of Change: Women in the Twenty-First-Century Press, 2009print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4784.W7 E34 2009
- Encyclopedia of Journalism, 2009print only, Reference Collection, 1st Floor Lobby, call number: PN4728 .E48 2009
- Ethics in Journalism, 2008print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor. call number: PN4888.E8 G66 2008
- Gender and Newsroom Cultures: Identities at Work, 2004print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4784.W7 G46 2004
- The Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters & Writers, 2004print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4784.I6 B68 2004
- The Newswriter's Handbook: An Introduction to Journalism, 1998print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: PN4797 .S67 1998
Public Relations: Selected Sources
- Culture, Social Class, and Race in Public Relations: Perspectives and Applications, 2012also available in print, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1221 .C854 2012
- The AMA Handbook of Public Relations, 2010also available in print, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HD59 .D558 2010
- Public Relations: From Theory to Practice, 2008print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1221 .P784 2008
- Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice, 2007print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1221 .P82 2007
- Ethics in Public Relations: Responsible Advocacy, 2006also available in print, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1221 .E89 2006
- The Global Public Relations Handbook: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2003print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HM1221 .G57 2003
- Handbook of Public Relations, 2001print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HD59 .H267 2001
- Women in Public Relations: How Gender Influences Practice, 2001print only, Circulating Collection, 3rd Floor, call number: HD59 .G78 2001
