CMNS 130 Term Paper Research SYLVIA ROBERTS CMNS librarian

Watterson, B. (n.d.). Calvin and Hobbes Comic. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from

Research requirements CMNS Spring 2016 Write an essay on a topic related to the focus of this course – mass communication....your topic must have some regulatory or policy angle Your proposal will make an exploratory type of topic statement and some research questions that you intend to answer. You need to fully research and understand your topic before you can come to an opinion or thesis statement about it The bibliography accompanying your proposal must contain a minimum of 4 references: 1 academic book, and 3 academic articles. 1 of the articles must be a course reading. You may use more references than four; all must be academic sources. For your final paper, you must have a minimum of 5 academic peer reviewed sources, 4 from outside course material, and at least 1 from course readings. You may use UP TO 3 non-academic sources in supplementary research.

Definitions of policy CMNS 130 – Spring 2016 course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual ( a) a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions b) a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body (

Examples of media policy topics CMNS 130 – Spring 2016 Includes an aspect of mass media regulation: – State / government : example example2exampleexample2 – Court precedents : exampleexample – Industry self-regulation : exampleexample – NGO-initiated: exampleexample – No regulation? : exampleexample

What are scholarly/academic sources?

Once delivered as print….

Now mostly electronic….

Print conventions apply to e-journals

How to recognize a scholarly journal

Which of these is a scholarly source Search the SFU Library site for “cmns 130 david newman” Spend 2 minutes looking at the article records and the full text Vote A, B or C

How do you search for scholarly articles?

Citations from reference lists Buscemi, F. (2014). Television as a trattoria: Constructing the woman in the kitchen on Italian food shows. European Journal Of Communication, 29(3), doi: / How can I find this article in full text?

Article index / databases

Communication & Mass Media Complete

Assessing search results

Finding books

IMPORTANT NOTE Supporting literature doesn’t have to be a perfect match Try different search terms Try a different database, especially subject specific Consult a librarian

Johnson, Leah. (n.d.) “APA Style Cite, You Must | Advice Yoda Gives.” Retrieved from

Research consultations CMNS Spring 2016 – Ask a Librarian Ask a Librarian – In-person – Chat – TXT Us! – – Phone – Consultation by appointment: Sylvia Roberts -

Writing your paper CMNS Spring 2016 The Student Learning Commons is your academic success centre! We offer… free writing workshops a wide range of online writing resources one-on-one consultations (appointments or drop-ins) with trained peer educators assistance with learning, reading, and studying skills and strategies. services at all three SFU campuses Go to