Communication Studies Research: Background Information

The reference books and websites listed below can provide valuable background information related to communication studies research and related disciplines. To identify additional titles, search the Library Catalog  or WorldCat.org by keyword, combining your topic with terms such as "encyclopedias," "handbooks," or "dictionaries,"  e.g., "critical theory handbooks." Note: Titles listed below with a "Location: Ref Rm" are shelved on the main floor of the Oviatt Library, in the Reference Room.

Communication Studies Reference Sources

• Berger, Arthur Asa. (2011). Media and communication research methods: an introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Location: Floor3 P91.3 .B385 2011
• Communication research measures: a sourcebook. (2004). Rubin, Rebecca B. & Philip Palmgreen, et al., eds. Mahwah, N.J. : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Location: Ref Rm P91.3 .C62 2004.
  • Provides various questionnaires, tests, scales, and measures in communications. See also Library Resources for Individual and Group Assessment for more information about locating information about and/or actual tests.
• Danesi, Marcel. (2000). Encyclopedic dictionary of semiotics, media, and communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Location: Ref Rm P87.5 .D36 2000
• DeVito, Joseph A. (1986). The communication handbook : a dictionary. New York: Harper & Row. Location: Ref Rm P87.5 .D46 1986
• Encyclopedia of communication and information. (2002). Schement, Jorge Reina, ed., New York: Macmillan Reference USA, c2002.
• Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. (2009). Stephen W. Littlejohn, Karen A. Foss, eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Encyclopedia of international media and communications. (2003). Johnston, Donald H., ed. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press. Location: Ref Rm P87.5 .E532 2003
• Handbook of communication science, 2nd ed. (2009). Charles R. Berger, Michael E. Roloff, David R. Roskos-Ewoldsen, eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage publications. Location: Floor3 P90 .H294 2010
• International encyclopedia of communications. (1989). Barnouw, Erik et al, eds. New York: Oxford University Press. Location: Ref Rm P87.5 .I5 1989
• International encyclopedia of organization studies. (2008). Stewart Clegg, James R. Bailey, eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• The Library of Rhetoric
  • An online resource for those who teach or study effective communication, it consists of full-text articles and other resources, including an extensive directory of rhetoric web sites, all organized into a classified list of rhetoric specialties.
• Library Resources for Communication Studies: Subject Guides. Communication Studies Committee.Chicago, IL: Education and Behavioral Sciences Section, Association of College & Research Libraries.
  • Check the Library Catalog or Databases A-Z to see if CSUN has the resource.
• Rubin, Rebecca B. (2005). Communication research: strategies and sources. Belmont, CA : Wadsworth Thomson Learning. Location: Floor3 P91.3 .R83 2005
• Underwood, Mick. cultscock--communication studies, media studies, cultural studies
  • Glossaries, summaries of theories and concepts in communication studies and mass media.
• Watson, James. Dictionary of media and communication studies. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. Location: Ref Rm P87.5 .W38 2006

Research Methods Reference Sources

• Encyclopedia of Evaluation. (2005). Sandra Mathison, ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Encyclopedia of Measurement and Statistics. (2007). Neil J. Salkind, ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Publications.
• Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods. (2008). Paul J. Lavrakas, ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage.
• International encyclopedia of the social sciences. (2008). Darity, Jr., William A., ed. Detroit, Mich.: Macmillan Reference USA.
• Psychological Measurement & Instrument Guide
• The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. (2008). Lisa M. Given, ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• The Sage encyclopedia of social science research methods. (2004). Michael S. Lewis-Beck, Alan Bryman, Tim Futing Liao, eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

General Reference Sources

• Britannica Online
  • Includes access to Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus, plus other general reference tools.
• Creating an Annotated Bibliography
• Credo Reference
  • Online reference collection providing access to a selection of over 240 reference works, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies and books of quotations.
• Gale Directory Library 
  • Online access to directories: Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media; Brands and their Companies; Business Rankings Annual; Consultants and Consulting Organizations Directory; Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations of the U.S.; Market Share Reporter; and Scholarships, Fellowships & Loans among others. 
• Gale Virtual Reference Library
  • Online access to over 100 encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources.

• Oxford English Dictionary

  • Includes definitions and etymologies for most of the words in the English language.

• Public Opinion Polls and Surveys

• SAGE Reference Online

• Statistical Data Sources