Searching the Communication Literature

1. Searching the Communication Literature Samuel T. Ramos, Jr., MCM University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts & Letters

2. The process of conducting library research in communication is fairly standard, no matter what sort of project you are attempting. Literature reviews, research reports, thesis or dissertation prospectuses, databases, speeches, group discussion, interviews, news editorials, and feature articles all begin the same way. You will need to select and refine a topic, identify core concepts and search terms, locate and read background information, decide what types of sources you will need to support your topic, select and use appropriate databases and other access tools, and locate and the needed publications and documents. It is really a pretty straightforward process.

3. Those new to conducting research in a college or university library or of other information resources frequently fall into the trap of underestimating the amount of time needed for research . They reason that, thanks to computers, all they need to do is pick a topic, go to the library or access it electronically, type in the first search terms that come to mind, pull up and print their results, and head home to write up their project. After all, everything is online.

4. Unfortunately, "everything" is not online, and computers neither read minds nor evaluate the suitability of materials for a particular purpose. Finding the right, credible, quality sources takes time. Furthermore, short time frames do not allow time for adjusting topics, learning to use unfamiliar databases, refining electronic searches, asking librarians for help, recalling for that "perfect" sounding book or article through interlibrary loan--let alone reading, evaluating, and digesting resources as the search progresses.

5. To conduct library research, you will need to have a basic familiarity with your library services. Many students will have gained this knowledge through library instructional programs offered to freshman classes.

6. becoming familiar with your library and its services • Many library conduct drop-in orientation sessions or offer self-guided tours and handouts for new users. Take advantage of these offered, because the information and tips you will learn there will save you much confusion and frustration later. • Lacking such an orientation, the best approach when using a library new to you is simply to find the reference desk and ask a reference librariansome basic questions. He or she will be happy to help you find your way around and may be able to offer you instructional handouts on using the catalog and other resources.

7. sources of information on library research • Beasley, D. R. (2000), Beasleyʻs guide to library research. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. • Mann, T. (1998), The Oxford guide to library research. New York: Oxford University Press.

8. search strategy outline • select, narrow, and adjust your topic • identify types of sources needed • select appropriate databases and other access tools • decide what types of searches to do and then formulate searches • examine and evaluate the citations retrieved • identify additional access points (keywords, subject headings, authors, titles) and reformulate search queries to narrow, broaden, or improve your focus, as needed. • evaluate citations retrieved, selecting items worth locating • examine bibliographies for additional leads • evaluate and summarize information • read materials thoroughly, taking careful notes and highlighting important sections • systematically document everything • decide when to stop!

9. the topic • Often the most difficult part of the research process is selecting a topic and defining the research area. You will need to identify a topic that is suitable for the project at hand and for which you will be able to find previous research. It is easy to pick a topic that is too broad, such as "interpersonal communication". On the other hand, picking a topic that is too narrow may give you problems, too. There are no easy answers, because it is a mechanical process.

10. narrow the topic • Once you have chosen a general topic or research problem, the next step is to narrow the topic so that you can formulate a specific research question. By constructing a specific research question, you narrow the focus of your research, and you can channel all your energies into a productive purpose. The research question also provides a theme that helps you unify disparate elements and eliminate or reduce non-productive efforts.

11. identify key concepts and search terms • start by underlining the significant terms in your search question, for example. • what types of training programs in group discussion do organizations provide for their management personnel? • then try to identify the two or three basic concepts represented by these terms. In this example, we might identify three basic concepts: • Training programs • Group discussion • Management personnel

12. test and adjust the topic • once you have decided on a specific preliminary research question and have identified key concepts and preliminary search terms, the next step is to do some testing. • this notion of adjusting a research question as the literature search progresses is difficult for a beginning researcher. Discussion with instructors, advisers, and librarians can prove helpful in this process.

13. the search • preparing for the literature search • determine types of sources needed • select appropriate databases and other access tools • deciding what type of search to do • formulate searches • examine the results and modify the search • evaluate citations retrieved, selecting items worth retrieving • examine bibliographies for additional leads

14. the result • evaluating and summarizing information • evaluate the sources • critique the methodology and data • explore the authorʻs background and qualifications • investigate the reputation of the publisher • examine the back matter. • read materials thoroughly • take careful notes • documenting the search process • keep bibliography cards or electronic records • use search records

15. tips on searching the literature • keep in mind three main points when searching for literature. • first, do not let yourself get bogged down. Read completely only those articles that are relevant and note other interesting articles for future reading. • second, do not entertain the illusion that you can exhaust all possible sources related to your topic. It is of course important to be as thorough as possible. It is also important to start your research early. • third, remember to practice good note-taking skills when you are conducting your library research. To take notes on the content of the material, you will need to abstract or condense, what you read.

16. writing • This means all library work should be done before you begin to write. As you pursue your search, find a topic that is interesting and related to the project. Through exploratory reading of general sources, narrow the topic to a manageable size.

17. Develop an outline • complete an initial outline at this time to help decide which specific sources to examine. An outline organizes the subtopics or subthemes found in the literature and guides the arguments you will make in your review. Once you have found all the materials you need, expand and develop your original outline. Always check your outline along the way to ensure it conforms to the thesis statement or research questions. Word processing programs often include a handy outlining function that can be worth trying.

18. Edit • Write from the outline. Then set the written review aside for a day or two before editing and revising it into final form. We suggest you set this final form aside for another day or two, then edit again. Once the final copy is typed, proofread it carefully for typographic errors. Do not rely on your word proofreading the parts of the literature review, then summarize.

19. summary • The success of your research relies on how well you define your topic and your awareness of the many possible sources of information. Research about topics is necessary for most assignments communication students encounter and for many tasks communication professionals face in their daily routines. Being able to identify a research topic and to clarify specific questions for investigation are essential skills for all communication researchers. These skills simplify the research process by providing an efficient, organized direction.

20. In general, researchers must be organized and approach library or documentary research tasks systematically. Not only does having a search plan save time and energy, but it also results in a better, more coherent product.