CMNS 130 Term Paper Research
SYLVIA ROBERTS
CMNS librarian
sroberts@sfu.ca
Watterson, B. (n.d.). Calvin and Hobbes Comic. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from
http://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/cea-comics-corner-the-procrastinators-inspiration/
Research requirements
• Write an essay on a topic related to the focus of this course – mass
communication....your topic must have some regulatory or policy angle
• Your proposal will make an exploratory type of topic statement and some
research questions that you intend to answer. You need to fully research
and understand your topic before you can come to an opinion or thesis
statement about it
• The bibliography accompanying your proposal must contain a minimum
of 4 references: 1 academic book, and 3 academic articles. 1 of the
articles must be a course reading. You may use more references than
four; all must be academic sources.
• For your final paper, you must have a minimum of 5 academic peer
reviewed sources, 4 from outside course material, and at least 1 from
course readings. You may use UP TO 3 non-academic sources in
supplementary research.
CMNS 130 - Spring 2016
Definitions of policy
• course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization
or individual (http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/policy)
• a) a definite course or method of action selected from among
alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine
present and future decisions
• b) a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and
acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy?show=0&t=1380585102)
CMNS 130 – Spring 2016
Examples of media policy topics
• Includes an aspect of mass media regulation:
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–
–
–
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State / government : example example2
Court precedents : example
Industry self-regulation : example
NGO-initiated: example
No regulation? : example
CMNS 130 – Spring 2016
What are scholarly/academic sources?
Once delivered as print….
Now mostly electronic….
Print conventions apply to e-journals
How to recognize a scholarly journal
How to recognize a scholarly journal
Which of these is a scholarly source
• Search the SFU Library site for “cmns 130
david newman”
• Spend 2 minutes looking at the article records
and the full text
• Vote A, B or C
How do you search for scholarly
articles?
Citations from reference lists
Buscemi, F. (2014). Television as a trattoria:
Constructing the woman in the kitchen on
Italian food shows. European Journal Of
Communication, 29(3), 304-318.
doi:10.1177/0267323114523147
• How can I find this article in full text?
Article index / databases
Communication & Mass Media Complete
Assessing search results
Assessing search results
Finding books
Finding books
Finding books
IMPORTANT NOTE
• Supporting literature
doesn’t have to be a
perfect match
• Try different search
terms
• Try a different database,
especially subject
specific
• Consult a librarian
Johnson, Leah. (n.d.) “APA Style Cite, You Must | Advice Yoda Gives.” Retrieved from
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/30117891234406497/.
Research consultations
–Ask a Librarian
–In-person
–Chat
–TXT Us!
–Email
–Phone
– Consultation by appointment:
Sylvia Roberts - sroberts@sfu.ca
CMNS 130 - Spring 2016
Writing your paper
The Student Learning Commons is your academic success centre!
We offer…
 free writing workshops
 a wide range of online writing resources
 one-on-one consultations (appointments or drop-ins) with
trained peer educators
 assistance with learning, reading, and studying skills and
strategies.
 services at all three SFU campuses
Go to http://learningcommons.sfu.ca
CMNS 130 - Spring 2016