Cambridge Campus
Robyn Slusher
(763) 433-1819
Coon Rapids Campus
Gina Pancerella-Willis
(763) 433-1197
Juliana Boner
(763) 433-1358
Robyn Slusher(763) 433-1819
Coon Rapids Campus
Gina Pancerella-Willis(763) 433-1197
Juliana Boner(763) 433-1358
Writing manuals are available in the library, and expert tutors in the ARCC Writing Center can help you with citations and references.
ARCC Tutoring Services
Welcome to the Communication Studies subject guide. On this tab, you will find information and helpful links related to the research and writing process, including links to help you evaluate and cite your sources..
The second tab contains information about resources in our library and how to find them using LibrarySearch, the library catalog.
The third tab contains information about online resources, including scholarly journal databases and online credible sites for research.
The second tab contains information about resources in our library and how to find them using LibrarySearch, the library catalog.
The third tab contains information about online resources, including scholarly journal databases and online credible sites for research.
We live in a world of misinformation.
On the web, it can be a challenge to know what information is credible and accurate. You may have heard about the CRAAP test (more information here), criteria to help evaluate a website. To complement this strategy, digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield developed the SIFT method, which provides additional valuable strategies for online researchers.
SIFT, or the Four Moves:
S - Stop
I - Investigate the source
F - Find additional sources/better coverage
T - Trace Information back to the original context
Online Verification Skills - YouTube videos from Mike Caulfield
Additional guides to help you evaluate your sources:
Evaluating Resources (University of California, Berkeley)
Evaluating Information (American Library Association)
Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University Library)
On the web, it can be a challenge to know what information is credible and accurate. You may have heard about the CRAAP test (more information here), criteria to help evaluate a website. To complement this strategy, digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield developed the SIFT method, which provides additional valuable strategies for online researchers.
SIFT, or the Four Moves:
S - Stop
I - Investigate the source
F - Find additional sources/better coverage
T - Trace Information back to the original context
Online Verification Skills - YouTube videos from Mike Caulfield
Additional guides to help you evaluate your sources:
Evaluating Resources (University of California, Berkeley)
Evaluating Information (American Library Association)
Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University Library)
Looking for information about citing your sources? Different styles like APA, Chicago, and MLA will require you to format information and sources differently.
After using any of these resources, always double-check your citations against the most current published guide. Below you will find resources for the most commonly used citation styles from the style guide homepages, as well as, the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL).
- APA - American Psychological Association style is most commonly used to cite sources within the sciences. APA Tutorial
- MLA - Modern Language Association style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities.
- CMS - Chicago Manual of Style covers a variety of topics from manuscript preparation and publication to grammar, usage, and documentation. CMS Quick Chart
From the ARCC Student Conduct Code, "Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment or the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials."
Citing your sources in a bibliography is a required part of the research process. It allows others to verify your information and acknowledges the previous work of other researchers and writers.
Click here for a General Guide to Understanding Written Plagiarism
Citing your sources in a bibliography is a required part of the research process. It allows others to verify your information and acknowledges the previous work of other researchers and writers.
Click here for a General Guide to Understanding Written Plagiarism
Use our catalog, LibrarySearch, to find the books and videos on our shelves, plus ebooks and streaming videos.
Books on communication can be found in the BF, HF, and P90-96 sections. You can look all of these up using the Library Search lookup, or ask a librarian for help finding items.
The best way to begin your search is to enter one or two keywords on your topic.
To narrow your results, use the Modify My Results options on the left side of the screen. You can also click on a relevant title and click on one of its subject headings to focus your search on that particular topic.
Here are some selections related to communication:
Books on communication can be found in the BF, HF, and P90-96 sections. You can look all of these up using the Library Search lookup, or ask a librarian for help finding items.
The best way to begin your search is to enter one or two keywords on your topic.
To narrow your results, use the Modify My Results options on the left side of the screen. You can also click on a relevant title and click on one of its subject headings to focus your search on that particular topic.
Here are some selections related to communication:
These books are available in both campus libraries.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
ISBN: 9781603293518
Publication Date: 2020
MLA Handbook by The Modern Language Association of America
ISBN: 9781603293518
Publication Date: 2021
The Chicago Manual of Style, by University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff
ISBN: 9780226287058
Publication Date: 2024
Scientific Style and Format by Council of Science Editors
ISBN: 9780226683942
Publication Date: 2024
Selected books and other items are available for in-library use at the circulation desk in our Course Reserve section. Course Reserves are books and items that instructors have asked us to reserve for certain classes. Books on reserve generally must be used in the Library, unless an instructor has allowed a longer checkout time. Ask a librarian if you're looking for one of these.
Articles from scholarly journals can be found in library databases, accessible both on and off campus. Try these to get started.
Academic Search Premier
This multi-disciplinary database provides active full text for more than 3,100 journals, including active full text for nearly 2,750 peer-reviewed journals.
EBSCO MegaFile
Covers every area of academic study. Over 200 full-text periodicals related to Communication.
Opposing Viewpoints
Find pro/con sources on current issues.
ProQuest
ProQuest hosts multidisciplinary content containing scholarly journals, books, video & audio, newspapers and more.
Academic Search PremierThis multi-disciplinary database provides active full text for more than 3,100 journals, including active full text for nearly 2,750 peer-reviewed journals.
EBSCO MegaFileCovers every area of academic study. Over 200 full-text periodicals related to Communication.
Opposing ViewpointsFind pro/con sources on current issues.
ProQuest ProQuest hosts multidisciplinary content containing scholarly journals, books, video & audio, newspapers and more.
Search Films on Demand using specific communication-related keywords or check out these streaming videos:
- Interpreting Nonverbal Communication
- Barriers to Communication and How to Overcome Them
- Communication and Collaboration Series
Search Kanopy for films and documentaries. A personal account is required to watch videos in Kanopy. How to create an account. .