CSUDH Library and Information Resources for

Communication Theory & Research (COM 400)

Prepared by:Caroline Bordinaro, Librarian
cbordinaro@csudh.edu (310)243-2084

Go to: Finding Books | Finding Websites | Library Guides

Finding Journal Articles

NOTE: These communication indexes must be accessed through this link: http://library.csudh.edu/DatabaseSubjectGuide/SubList.php?subject=Communications. For further exploration, go to the CSUDH library homepage at http://library.csudh.edu/, and select Find Journal Articles & Electronic Resources at http://library.csudh.edu/FindJrnArtElecRes.php. You may either browse by subject area or go to your favorite resource using the Alphabetical List at http://library.csudh.edu/ElectDB.php.

• Communication & Mass Media Complete*: provides the best quality research, and is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and educators interested in any and all aspects of communication and mass media. (scroll down on the EBSCO screen to log on to this database.)
• Humanities Full Text*: provides complete content - indexing, abstracts, and full text. Scroll down list to find database name.

These are databases are not specifically communication-related, but they are very good for general information on studies and current news :

• Academic Search Premier*
• ProQuest Databases*
• OmniFile Full Text Mega* : from Wilson, select specific discipline in subject box or search multiple subjects.
• JSTOR: Peer reviewed journal articles on a wide range of Humanities subjects.

*To limit search to peer-reviewed journals only, look for check box next to Peer-Reviewed, Scholarly Journals, or Academic Journals on database search screen (may be in Advanced Search)

Search Tips:

• Try Advanced Search for more search options
• Always use the Print and Save functions embedded within the screen. It is usually not a good idea to use the File-Print or File-Save As functions in the upper left hand corner of the browser.
• Use the online HELP screens - they really are helpful!

BONUS!! Try our new SEARCH TUTORIAL and tell us how you liked it! Send comments to Jeff Broude, librarian at jbroude@csudh.edu.

Finding Books in the library

Go to TOROFIND: the CSUDH Library Catalog and search on the title, author, subject or keyword. Look not only for that specific call number, but also check out the books in that section.

• If you don't see the right item listed, or want more titles, try an on a few keywords (in separate boxes).
• If you still don't find the right book, ask a reference librarian.

Finding quality websites

These are indexes to quality web sites that have been reviewed by librarians. The sites have been checked for accuracy, timiliness, stabilty, and will generally conform to the standards of academic research. However, please be judicious in the use of websites in general, because anybody can put anything on the web.

• Infomine (infomine.ucr.edu): A project from the Univeristy of California and other universities, it is a searchable index of websites specifically appropriate for university research. Click on SocSci & Humanities to search their specialized index.
• Librarian's Index to the Internet (www.lii.org): Index of websites reviewed by librarians, geared toward the general public. Choose a topic from the index or use Advanced Search to search for keywords.
• CSUDH Humanities Internet Guide (library.csudh.edu/cyberlib/human.htm): Resource guide for humanities sites on the Internet compiled by CSUDH librarians.
• Evaluating Information on the Web: This is a very good checklist from the Pasadena City College Library for judging the quality of not only information on the Internet, but any information you may want to use for an assignment.

For more detailed help, download our LIBRARY GUIDES (.doc format) :

• Finding journal articles using Academic Search Premiere (advanced search/retrieval methods, Interlibrary Loan)
• Accessing databases from off campus
• What is a Literature Review?
• Searching Google (advanced Internet search methods)
• OR click here to download ALL FOUR GUIDES with BONUS MATERIAL! (10pgs.)

Go to: Finding Books | Finding Magazines, Newspapers and Journals |

Created by C. Bordinaro, CSUDH librarian 7/16/07