Databases - CMM 103 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication

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What is a...?

Scholarly journal "A scholarly journal is different from a magazine or other periodical because it’s a respected forum in which scholars share their research. The articles in journals are usually peer-reviewed, and can be taken as legitimate scholarly knowledge."
Peer-reviewed journal "Peer Review is a process that journals use to ensure the articles they publish represent the best scholarship currently available. When an article is submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, the editors send it out to other scholars in the same field (the author's peers) to get their opinion on the quality of the scholarship, its relevance to the field, its appropriateness for the journal, etc."
Research article Research articles are most often published in scholarly journals and usually contain: •a summary or “abstract” •a description of the research •the results they got •the significance of the results.
Review article (Sometimes called "Research Review" articles) "are an attempt by one or more writers to sum up the current state of the research on a particular topic...[they] are virtual gold mines if you want to find out what the key articles are for a given topic."
Primary source Original research or materials that have not been filtered through interpretation or evaluation by a secondary party.
Secondary source Sources that contain commentary on or a discussion about a primary source. Analyzes and interprets research results or scientific discoveries.

Source material courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries .

Evaluating Popular & Scholarly Articles

Not sure if you have a "popular" or a "scholarly" source? Or maybe just need a refresher? MU Libraries Evaluating Sources can help. Here you will find the basic differences between popular and scholarly articles reviewed.

Full Text & Citation Databases and Where to Find Them

MU online databases can provide references to and full-text articles in a wide range of periodicals from news magazines and newspapers to scholarly and professional journals. Below is a list of citation and full text databases that are recommended for research in your field of study.

To see the complete list of MU Libraries Databases, click on the MU Databases in the Quick Links column on this page.

If you can't find the article that you are looking for in full-text don't be discouraged. There is a link to request the item from another library for sources MU does not own. The link will take you to MU's Information Delivery Services (IDS) where you can log in and place the request.

Remember, if you have questions about choosing or using a database, please consult a librarian.

Recommended Databases

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
CQ Researcher is recommended when you need comprehensive, factual, unbiased information on a controversial topic.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo is a reference database that is a good starting point for researchers.
Points of View Reference Source This link opens in a new window
Points of View Reference center is designed to assist researchers in understanding the full scope of controversial subjects. This can be used as a guide to debating, developing arguments, writing position papers, and developing critical thinking skills.
Statista This link opens in a new window
Statistical database that gives you quantitative data on media, business, finance, politics, and a wide variety of other areas of interest or markets.

CMM 103 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication: Databases

Summon Search

What is a...?

Evaluating Popular & Scholarly Articles

Full Text & Citation Databases and Where to Find Them

Recommended Databases