Liaison Librarian
Getting Started with Research for COMM101
- Need a review of Hekman Library basics? Check out this "Get Connected" guide or browse our How-to playlist on Youtube.
- If you're off-campus, remember to start at the library homepage when connecting to databases and ebooks, so you'll be recognized as a Calvin user (when you're prompted to login, enter your Calvin username and passphrase).
- Need help with your citations? You can try a quick citation-generator, such as the ones found in our library databases, KnightCite, or EasyBib. Another great option for collecting and managing citations is Zotero.
- For even more help, see the library's longer Citation 101 guide or try using Purdue's OWL (Online Writing Lab).
- Looking for APA style help specifically? - Check out Purdue OWL's page on APA.
Resources for Background Info
In some subject areas, there are scholarly, well-known library reference sources you could use for research, such as Oxford Art Online or the Oxford English Dictionary.
To explore other scholarly library reference sources, check out the suggestions in the library's subject guide(s) related to your speech topics.
Or you could search the library catalog for your topic, adding one of these limiting terms: encyclopedia, dictionary, reference, handbook.
Tips for finding background info on the web:
- If you do use Wikipedia as a starting point, check the references and only use those that are credible and authoritative.
- Look for a major (and unbiased) organization, association, or governmental website related to your topic.
Recommended Databases for Articles
In addition to using our Primo search tool on the library's homepage, you may want to focus your search on these specific databases. Each has its own advantages:
- Academic Search Complete has a mix of all types of articles (scholarly and popular), and even online books.
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context also has a mix of types of sources, but focuses on pro/con-type topics.
- JSTOR includes only scholarly articles (but note that this means it may not be good for very current topics).
- Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)
Coverage on a wide range of topics. Includes peer-reviewed full text for STEM research, as well as for the social sciences and humanities.
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Opposing Viewpoints in Context covers contemporary social issues, from offshore drilling to climate change, health care to immigration. Includes pro/con viewpoint essays, as well as journal and news articles, primary source materials, legal sources, images, charts/tables, and more.
- JSTOR
JSTOR is a database consisting of full-text articles from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals from nearly every discipline taught at Calvin. Coverage for each journal begins with the first volume, with coverage ending for most titles three and five years ago. A growing number of journals now have coverage up to the present.
Resources for News and News Evaluation
- Newspaper Source Plus (EBSCO)
Newspaper Source Plus provides a full-text digital collection of the world's major news content. It includes millions of articles from newspapers, newswires and news magazines. In addition, it offers television and radio transcripts and ongoing daily updates from popular news sources. Primary full coverage newspapers are The Washington Post and USA Today.
- New York Times Academic Pass
Access The New York Times online via nytimes.com. Select Calvin University and Seminary when prompted to choose your school. First-time users must create an account.
- New York Times (ProQuest)
This database allows users to search the New York Times issues dating 1851 - recent (3-month embargo). Results include the complete paper, cover-to-cover, with full-page and article images in PDF format.
- Media Bias ChartChart you can use to identify the potential bias of a media news outlet.
- All Sides NewsWebsite that covers media sources and identifies their different political perspectives.
Resources for Statistics
ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States 2022Call Number: Research Help DeskPublication Date: 2022
- Local Demographic DataGuide created by Hekman librarian, Katherine Swart, on finding Grand Rapids and Michigan demographic data
- Pew Research CenterStudies and surveys on a number of social and political topics, including the environment, global attitudes/foreign affairs, immigration, internet and technology, legal, news media, politics and elections, and religion
- MSU Data and Statistics GuideCompiled by a Michigan State University librarian, this guide points to statistical resources for different topic areas (e.g., education or the arts). Note that some sources recommended in the guide are only available to the MSU community; others are free on the web.
- USAFactsA nonpartisan site that draws on US government data, and covers many current topics
Other Resources for a Tribute Speech
- Biography Reference Center (EBSCO)
Biography Reference Center provides thousands of reliable full-text biographies, including the complete full text of Biography Today and Biography, plus narrative biographies not available in other databases. In addition to keyword search, users can locate biographies by subject occupation, nationality, activity, gender, lifespan and more.
Additionally, we have many encyclopedias and biographical resources in the library's print Reference Collection (4th floor), and there may be biographical sources in our regular collection too. Try searching Hekman's catalog for your person's name, look at the suggested background sources in the library's Subject Guides (choose a subject related to your topic), or ask a librarian for other recommendations!