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Communication Research
These sites can help you conduct research about communication and other topics. "If your speech is to be worthwhile and effective for both you and your audience, you need to research it. Thus, during the process of preparing a speech, one of your chief tasks is the gathering of information. Potential sources available to you include published works, other people, and of course, yourself." (Gamble & Gamble, Communication Works, p. 364)
American Psychological Association
Comserve/Communication Institute for Online Scholarship
Gopher Resources by Academic Subject
Internet Indexes and Search Engines
University of Missouri-Kansas City Library
Internet Source Credibility
When determining credibility of an Internet source, students need to consider the motivations of the person who designed the site. Professional journal sites are generally reliable, however, since full text journal sites are usually closed and expensive, use the indexes that are available. Talk to your college librarian--you may have access to online journals available through your school. Blind-reviewed, refereed articles are apt to be solid scholarship. Online journals or e-zines are also available.
<.edu> addresses generally belong to college faculty, students, and staff.
A faculty member's vita may be linked to the site, and often these are credible sources.
When using an Internet search engine, you can narrow your search by indicating only
North American .edu sources. Here is an example of an .edu site: http://www.usm.maine.edu/~com/lenny.htm
<.gov.> addresses belong to government agencies, so they should be reliable sources of information.
<.mil> indicates the military.
<.org> sites may be influenced by the perspective of a particular organization,
but they are often credible. Your best bet for credibility is an established, professional
organization. An example is the National Communication Association (NCA): http://www.natcom.org
<.com> sites are commercial ventures and may be designed for no purpose other
than making money. Additionally, there are a variety of free web site services, and
these are ones where anyone can create a web site. These sites will usually be .com
sites. Some are reliable, others are not. An example: http://xoom.com/home/
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