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Survey of Interpersonal Communication (COMM 312)

Searching

  1. Set up LibKey Nomad to easily access the full-text of scholarly articles
  2. Carefully consider your keywords
  3. Create a search string using the appropriate search tools (like Boolean Operators)
  4. Choose the most relevant library databases 
  5. Input your search string into the database's advanced search bar
  6. Narrow or expand your search using the database refinement tools (like publication date, format, subject, etc.)
  7. Browse the results page (paying close attention to the abstract and listed keywords)
  8. Revise search string based on the results page as needed
  9. When in doubt, ask your librarian for help!

Evaluating

  1. Consider how scholarly publishing practices impact the types of sources available for your topic (ex. a current topic can take months to years to be discussed in scholarly journals or books)
  2. Consider whether you need primary or secondary sources
  3. Consider whether you need peer-reviewed sources 
  4. Carefully compare the source details on your database results' page to your previously decided requirements (i.e. level of review, format, date of publication, etc.) 
  5. Make sure to fact-check your gathered sources (particularly those gathered outside UT Libraries' databases)
  6. When in doubt, ask your librarian for help!

Summarizing

  1. Choose and set-up a citation manager to help you organize and analyze your gathered sources
  2. Consider the necessary steps for a scholarly literature review 
  3. Carefully read your sources and highlight sections for inclusion
  4. Organize your gathered quotes using a synthesis table
  5. Remember the difference between quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing
  6. Make sure to CITE YOUR SOURCES!
  7. When in doubt, ask the Writing Center!