Communication Studies - Information Compilations

Collections & archives

Materials such as speeches, broadcasts, films, statistics, scales, and other documents are often housed in collections and archives. Many of these are now available through the Internet. Others exist in print and are found in many libraries.

Gifts of Speech: Women's Speeches from Around the World This is a link to another web site - from Sweet Briar College

American Leaders Speak: Recordings from World War I and the 1920 Election This is a link to another web site

This site from the Library of Congress offers both written texts and audio recordings of speeches from the earlier part of this century.

Radio Archive of the University of Memphis This is a link to another web site

This site offers a catalog and ordering information for thousands of radio programs representing most series and shows on radio.

Speeches and Speechmakers This is a link to another web site - University of Iowa

Speeches of U.S. Presidents This is a link to another web site - University of Groningen, Netherlands

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents This is a link to another web site -1993 to date

PRINT - Check your library for these books:

  • Communication Research Measures: A Sourcebook
  • Documents of American Broadcasting
  • Editorials on File
  • Vital Speeches of the Day
  • Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Web collections

The wealth of information on the web for communication scholars is often collected and presented by organizations or individuals as large "meta-sites." These collections of web sites are valuable because they bring so many sources together and because they often evaluate sites before including them. However, the sheer number of sources offered, combined with the extensive overlap among them, can be frustrating. This is particularly true when you are looking for something specific.

Web meta-sites for communication studies:

Center for Communication Studies This is a link to another web site - from the American Communication Association

Communication Institute for Online Scholarship (CIOS) This is a link to another web site

Vote CheckboxLinks to Communication Studies Resources This is a link to another web site - University of Iowa Department of Communication Studies

Vote CheckboxLinks to General Communication Studies Resources This is a link to another web site - University of Iowa Department of Communication Studies

Vote CheckboxKurylo's Communication Links Index This is a link to another web site - created and maintained by Anastacia Kurylo, Doctoral Candidate, Communication Department, Rutgers University

Web meta-sites for specific areas of communication and related disciplines:

Advertising World This is a link to another web site

Computer-Mediated Communication Studies Center This is a link to another web site

MCS: The Media and Communications Studies Site This is a link to another web site

Nonverbal Communication Research Page This is a link to another web site


Web meta-sites for researchers and writers:

Media History Project This is a link to another web site

Statistical sources

American Factfinder This is a link to another web site

This is an excellent gateway to economic and population census data. Data are available for download, in customizable tables or in thematic mapped. The site provides access data from the Decennial Censuses, the Economic Censusus, and the American Community Survey.

FedStats This is a link to another web site

More than 70 agencies in the United States Federal Government produce statistics of interest to the public. The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use.

A Matter of Fact This is a link to another web site

This OhioLINK database presents excerpts of statistical information from U.S. government sources, periodical articles, and newspapers. Coverage is international.

Stat-USA This is a link to another web site

Produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce; offers business, economic, and trade data from over 40 Federal government agencies.

Statistical Abstract of the United States This is a link to another web site

This source presents abstracts of statistical reports from the federal government. It is a very good starting place for most statistical questions. Use the index and go to the table number listed. Note: numbers in the index refer to table numbers, not page numbers. Requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

This is also available as a book that can be found in nearly every library.

University of Michigan Documents Center This is a link to another web site

This is a Web meta-site for statistics.

Government publications

The U.S. federal government publishes on many topics. Each branch of government, each agency, and all the independent commissions and institutes publish material. Much of it is now available on the Web. A good starting place is this site, which collects much of the information onto one page:

Government Documents - Resources
A compilation of government sources from Kent State University

Selected sources and their web sites (most are also available in print in many libraries):

Catalog of United States Publications This is a link to another web site - Web version of the Monthly Catalog of United States Publications

Code of Federal Regulations This is a link to another web site

Federal Register This is a link to another web site

Congressional Universe This is a link to another web site

Occupational Outlook Handbook This is a link to another web site

This well-established source provides valuable information about the future of jobs and workplaces. It advises readers on choosing a career and finding a job. Information about specific occupations includes the nature of the work, job outlook, earnings, and qualifications.

United States Code This is a link to another web site

United States Government Manual This is a link to another web site

Yearbooks

These yearbooks are available in most libraries:

  • Almanac of American Politics
  • Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook
  • Editor & Publisher International Year Book
  • International Motion Picture Almanac
  • World Almanac and Book of Facts

Directories

In communication, directories are factbooks and lists, often providing addresses, phone numbers, or easy access to media presentations.

CIOS Whitepages Service This is a link to another web site

A directory of communication scholars and professionals.

Communication Departments
This is a link to another web site
Links to communication-related academic departments in U.S. colleges and universities, from the National Communication Association.

These additional printed directories are available in many libraries:

  • The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-present
  • Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media
  • Media Review Digest
  • Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors & Executives
  • Video Source Book

Dictionaries

Dictionaries contain word meanings. They're useful for understanding difficult reading material or publications not in one's own discipline.

Sites for Dictionaries from the Internet Public Library This is a link to another web site

A Web of On-line Dictionaries This is a link to another web site

This is well-known site offers an impressive variety of Web dictionaries. It includes both language dictionaries (covering more than 140 languages) and specialized dictionaries focusing on terminology specific to disciplines, occupations, hobbies, and more.

Other relevant specialized dictionaries available as books is many libraries include:

  • International Dictionary of Broadcasting and Film
  • NTC's Dictionary of Advertising

Manuals

Manuals are handy reference guides that help when you need a quick rule or some guidance on how to do something. In communication, most manuals deal with writing style.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association This is a link to another web site -

The definitive guide to APA style. Available in most libraries, or for purchase from APA or Amazon This is a link to another web site.

The Elements of Style This is a link to another web site

   by William Strunk.  Also available in print in most libraries.

Writer's Handbook This is a link to another web site

This is a very useful site with guidelines and tips about academic writing, including writing reviews and research papers. Includes sections on style and grammar, plus a very helpful part on citing sources, with emphasis on APA and MLA styles. From th University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center.

These books are also useful sources for writing guidelines and advice:

  • Advertising Compliance Handbook
  • The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual
  • Legal Research in a Nutshell