Communication

This guide has been created for you! The guide includes some reminders regarding the basics of research, plus the guide will lead you to more advanced resources in communications research.

We can help you at many stages of the research process, including identifying appropriate information resources as well as provide guidance for finding resources for literature reviews and many other types of research projects.

Please contact your librarian directly or contact us via Ask Us. 

Introduction to UK Libraries is an interactive tutorial highlighting important library research resources as well as services such as research guides, printing, and more.

Has it been awhile since you've had to develop a research question and a search strategy? Not sure how to navigate UK Libraries' resources?

Consider enrolling in Online Information Literacy, a self-paced course in UK's Canvas which was co-developed by your librarian. The course takes around 40 minutes to complete.

We have also developed Open Academic Research, a self-guided course open to anyone and particularly aimed at budding researches and graduate students. There are a wide variety of self-paced modules to explore in any order, covering topics such as:  

• Discovering your field’s keywords, scholars, and journals  

• Specialized databases and reference sources in your field  

• Selecting journals to consider for submission 

• Incorporating digital media and technology tools into your research 

• Finding and using primary sources  

Consider enrolling for free in one or both courses to review these research skills!

Make sure you can access all your accounts.

• Your InfoKat account: find due dates, renew books, see any fines, track your requests, save records and searches. Learn more about your borrowing privileges.
• Your LinkbBlue account: get off-campus access to databases, articles, e-books, and more.
• Your ILLiad account (uses your LinkBlue credentials): place orders, renew loans, access articles. Learn more about Interlibrary Loan.
• It's a great idea to create your own accounts in EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Web of Science, and other resources to save searches, records, make lists, etc.

You can get in-depth research help.

• You can request a research consultation at any time.
• You can work with a librarian with expertise in a specific subject area.

You can request the library materials you need for your research.

• Recommend library materials for purchase.
• You have access to items in our campus libraries, storage, or from other libraries which you can request to pick up at any campus library.
• You can request access to items that UK Libraries doesn't own via your ILLiad account.

You can use rooms in the library for your work.

• Individual and Group Study
• Computer Labs and Maker Spaces
• Recording Studios

If you have any questions, please ask your librarian. We're here to help you.