Montgomery College Libraries > Pat Semple, Librarian > SP108 Introduction to Human Communication, Prof. Zeide

1. Books | 2. Encyclopedias | 3. Articles in Databases | 4. Web Pages | 5. MLA Works Cited

MC Library Catalog: Change the search engine setting to "Keyword Boolean" and create a search expression that consists of keywords (tend to be nouns), the Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and punctuation (parenthesis used with OR, quotations marks for phrases):

ceramics OR pottery

meteorology OR weather

interviewing AND technique

skiing AND leisure

(animal AND testing) OR "animal rights"

Search Tips:

• Books are especially useful when researching topics for an informative speech.
• Don't get too specific when searching for books. Realize that your topic may just be a chapter or a section in a book on "interpersonal communication" or "human communication."
• Avoid current events. It takes many months or even years to write and publish a book. Books are not useful, therefore, for researching recent news items.

Request Book From Another Campus: Go into MC Library Catalog and use the REQUEST ITEM button at the top of the page.
Renew Books Online: Go into MC Library Catalog and use the MY ACCOUNT button at the top of the page.
Help: Speak to the reference librarian on duty or call the reference desk: Germantown: 240-567-7853 Rockville: 240-567-7130 Takoma Park Silver Spring: 240-567-1536

  return to top

ReferenceUniverse

This online tool searches all of the library's *print* encyclopedias simultaneously. NOTE: Put a check in the box labeled "Restrict Search to Titles in your Library."

Encyclopedia Britannica Online

Enter one or two keywords, or explore your topic using "Research Tools" menu on the left.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Enter one or two keywords, or drill down using the categories.

xreferplus

Use the topic categories to drill down or put a short search expression in the Search box.

  return to top

Searching: Here are some sample searches using keywords and Boolean operators:

(tsunami OR "tidal wave") AND earthquake

ceramics AND "kiln temperature"

"cell phone" AND business AND merger

interviewing AND job AND résumé

"animal testing" AND cosmetics AND peta

Sorting: Results can be sorted by date (most recent first) or relevance (highest occurrence of keywords).

Printing: For best results, use the PRINT button provided by the database publisher before submitting via the browser's print menu.

National Newspapers

For opinion pieces, find the "More Search Options" tab and change "Document Type" to "Editorial."

Academic Search Premier

To limit your search to recent articles, adjust the Publication Date setting on the first search screen.

Academic OneFile

One of the College's largest collections of digitized articles.

Communication & Mass Media Complete

   for communication issues

Full-text articles from 200 scholarly journals; citations for articles from hundreds more.

CQ Researcher

   especially good for persuasive speeches

This database covers topics that have come before Congress. Each report specifically addresses the pros and cons of the issue.

Opposing Viewpoints

   especially good for persuasive speeches

Use blue Subject Headings on opening page to search by topic. Contains information on current topics and controversial issues. Access persuasive essays, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and articles.

SIRS Knowledge Source

   especially good for persuasive speeches

To get some ideas about possible topics for your persuasive speech, click on the "Suggested Research Topics" in the lower right corner of the screen.

Specialty Databases: For the complete listing of subject-specific databases, which include ones especially for topics related to business, mass media, health, ethnic issues, gender issues, criminal justice, education, science, and psychology, go to the source:

Databases by Subject

   * * * ALL DATABASES * * *

A complete listing of the College's databases organized by topic.

  return to top

Limit Domains in Google: To limit your Google search to reputable Web sites, enter the domain you are interested in searching in front of your search terms:

site:edu     or     site:gov

    or     site:org

site:edu "no child left behind"

site:org terrarium

site:gov "civil rights" AND "patriot act"

National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus

An excellent place to start when researching any medical or health issue. (National Institutes of Health)

Links to Statistics & Data

Mostly government sites; covers a range of topics. (Pat Semple, Montgomery College)

Links to Think Tanks, Foundations, and Research Organizations

Ranges from the far right (conservative) to the far left (liberal). (Pat Semple, Montgomery College)

  return to top

Here are two six-page MS Word document handouts on formatting citations: MLA: Works Cited Page or APA: The Reference List.

  return to top