Find Background Information on a Communication Topic
Reference resources will give background information and place your topic within the context of a discipline. They may help focus your topic by providing a better understanding of terms and concepts associated with it.
Go to the Getting Started page and peruse the list. You can also look in one of the Communication Databases
Find Primary Sources
Primary sources are original materials that have not been altered in any way. They are firsthand accounts of an event, and generally do not include commentary, interpretation, or evaluation of the topic. For more information check the Using Primary & Secondary Sources page.
In the catalog, combine the terms of your topic with terms such as:
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archives |
facsimiles |
letters |
personal narratives |
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correspondence |
interviews |
memoirs |
registers |
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diaries |
inventories |
notebooks |
sketchbooks |
Find Statistics
Statistics are not available on all topics. The best resources for statistics are:
Statistical Abstract of the United States,
The most basic source for statistical information published by the federal government. Use the index pages to find a table number for your topic. Paper copy at the Reference Desk. Also available online.
World Almanac Reference Database
A searchable compilation of most-asked-for facts and statistics.
LexisNexis Statistical
A comprehensive source of statistics. Indexes statistics from governments, private organizations, and international bodies.
- Under “Search for Other Information” click on “Statistical”
- Click on "Search Tables Base Edition" for full-text tables.
- "Search Abstracts" provides more statistics.
U.S. Census Bureau
Major source of demographic statistics for the United States.
Find a DVD or VHS Using the Library Catalog
Films are kept in the Curriculum Materials Center. Hunter Library outlines borrowing policies for audio, video, and multimedia.
If you have the name of the director:
From the library home page, type the name of the director and then select author from the drop down menu. Example: Coppola, Francis Ford
If you have the title of the film:
From the library home page, type the title of the movie and then select title from the drop down menu. Example: American graffiti
You can also limit you search by material type:
- To search for videos and DVDs in our media collection type “film and [your topic]”. Example: film and fantasy.
- A list of items will come up. From the scroll down menu (where you limit your search by institution), select DVD/Video and then click search again. This search will limit your search by medium, but will not limit the search to WCU.
- Please note that ASU and UNCA have different lending policies for audio/video material.
A selected list of new visual material is available here. This list changes monthly.