Introduction

Researching communications with an emphasis on mass media (radio, television, film, newspapers, and magazines) requires one to examine a range of references/finding tools to survey the literature on any given topic.

Though not exhaustive, this resource guide provides useful lists/annotations of materials needed to cover these areas: a) Library of Congress subject headings and classifications; b) guides to the literature; c) indexes; d) abstracts; e) bibliographies; f) annual reviews; g) dictionaries and encyclopedias; h) compilations; and i) journals and periodicals.

The material for this guide has been complied from a variety of sources. First, all indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, annual reviews, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and journals were physically examined for content, appropriate subject matter, etc. Second, reference librarians at The Ohio State University and Franciscan University of Steubenville were consulted. Finally, appropriate guides were examined for supplementary information. Specifically, three provided many useful supplementary facts. Although they are not really cited per se in the text, a general "acknowledgement of debt" is in order (especially for completion of the journals/periodicals section).

These three works are:

1) Katz, B. & Katz, L. S. (1989). Magazines for libraries (6th ed.). NY: R. R. Bowker.

2) Rubin, R. B.; Rubin, A. M.; & Piele, L. J. (1990). Communication Research: Strategies and sources. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

3) Block, E. S. & Bracken, J. K. (1991). Communication and the mass media: A guide to the reference literature. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

In the few cases where direct quotations were made, appropriate citations were given.

Also, an appendix is included with lists of abbreviations, addresses, and phone numbers for the libraries included in this guide; also included are any other abbreviations used regularly.