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COM230: Small Group Communication

This guide was designed to support students enrolled in COM230, however, others researching communication might also find the content useful.

Search terms

Sentences or sentence fragments should not be used when database searching.  Instead, researchers should use keyword or phrase searching. 

Think of words that best describe the topic you are searching.  Quotation marks are used to identify phrase searching.  For example, "Public Enemy No. 1."

Concepts can be identified using various words so it is helpful to identify synonyms or related terms as well.  Use narrower and broader terms to increase and decrease results, respectively.  

Keywords/phrases Al Capone
Synonyms Scarface, Alphonse Gabriel Capone
Narrower or broader terms Gangster, criminal, crime boss
Related terms Prohibition, bootlegging, Chicago Outfit, tax evasion, St. Valentine's Day Massacre, 

Working example: Scopes Monkey Trial, 1925

  • Think of the who, what, where, when, why and how questions.  
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