Library Home :: Services :: Instruction :: Course Specific Research Guides :: Communications 3023

Find Sources

a. Books | b. Articles | c. Internet | d. Primary Sources

Using ProQuest

From the ProQuest menu bar, click on "Search Methods > Basic"

1. Do each of the keyword searches (a-e) below. Choose 1 search that you feel is the best search for my topic "bias in the media during presidential elections" and explain why you made this choice:

a. Type exactly: media and bias and elections
b. Type exactly: media and ethics and elections
c. Type exactly: "journalistic ethics" and elections
d. Type exactly: "journalistic ethics" and elect?
e. Type exactly: ("journalistic ethics" or bias) and elections

2. Redo the search you selected from #1 (a-e) above, this time checking the box next to "Show peer reviewed publications." This will limit your search to magazine and journal articles that are more scholarly.How many hits did you get?

3. From the ProQuest tools bar, click on "# Recent Searches." This is your search history. Select 1 full-text article from any of these searches that you feel best contributes to my topic "bias in the media during presidential elections." Please write the title of the periodical, the title of the article, and the exact subject terms that are listed for this article:

4. From the ProQuest menu bar, click on "Topic Guide." Then click on "Browse the Subject Directory." Click on "Politics and Government & Law > Political campaigns > elections." What happens when you click on those words? How could this be useful to you as a researcher?

From the ProQuest menu bar, click on "Search Methods > Advanced Search" You can tell ProQuest exactly where to find your keywords in an item's description by using fill-in boxes and pull-down menus.

6. Search for presidential elections in the Subject AND media in the Subject AND bias? in the Article Text (use the pulldown menu). Click on Search. Did this type of search create very relevant search results? Why or why not?

7. Search for communication in the Publication Name AND media in the Subject AND ethic? in the Subject. Click on Search. How did searching for communication in the Publication Name help you out?

8. Click on "Search Methods > Publication" from the ProQuest menu bar and search for Communication Quarterly. Is the Winter 2001 issue available in either full-text or full-image? What about the Spring 1989 issue -- is it available in either full-text or full-image?