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Communication Studies

Finding Background Information on Communication Topics

Reference works such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and guides are not meant to be read cover-to-cover, but rather to be consulted as needed in order to get an overview of a specific topic, and to obtain key background information before diving more deeply into that topic.  Background sources such as those listed below can introduce you to and familiarize you with concepts, terminologies, and keywords, which you can then use when searching for articles and books in IUPUC's academic databases and library catalog (IUCAT).

Dictionaries

Other Reference Sources

Encyclopedias