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- Conceptualization & Operationalization
COM 275: Foundations of Communication Research: Conceptualization & Operationalization
Research ideas
Conceptualization is "forming an idea. Ideas are built on the body of knowledge that’s already been created. Your idea builds on the research that’s already been done on your topic or related topics" (Davis Lachlan, p. 49).
Start with:
- Databases, journals, & articles5-minute tutorial defines databases, journals, articles, and explains how they fit together.
Video by the GVSU Libraries. - Focusing a Topic3-minute tutorial on how to go from a general idea to a research question.
YouTube video by the GVSU Libraries.
Next, use:
- Communication SourceUse the Thesaurus (a link at the top of the page) to look for your idea; e.g., for culture in organizations, you'll see: CULTURAL approach to organizations theory (Communication). "Here are entered works on the theory of Geertz and Pacanowsky."
Now you have some foundational authors: Geertz and Pacanowsky, and you can look for articles in Communication Source by them (change the drop-down at the end of the search box to Author). After you search and have some results, change the order of results to oldest 1st.
To find primary sources in a database like Communication Source, use the terms:
research (Su Subject terms)
AND primary OR quantitative OR experimental OR method* OR qualitative (SU Subject terms)
AND whatever your topic is.
Next, use
- Web of ScienceLook for the topic with words from the theory name; add a row and search the main author's last name. Change the order of results to oldest 1st.
You can see who cited the theory from the original article about it.
- Finding "Cited By" ArticlesHave you found a great article and want to see if other researchers have cited it? Follow the steps in this guide.
Defining terms
Operationalization is "defining your terms as you’re using them in your research project. ... the first use of library research is to determine what background information already exists about your topic" (Davis Lachlan, p. 49).
Do library research to find definitions, methodology, ways of analyzing data:
The SAGE encyclopedia of communication research methodsCall Number: eBookPublication Date: 2017Covers every step of the research process, from the development of research topics and questions to literature reviews, and selection of best methods for analyzing research results
You can also use the Find articles, books, & more box at the top of the page like this:
"cultural approach to organizations" Geertz Pacanowsky
or "Classical Management Theory" Weber Taylor Fayol, then Refine Results: Limit by Source Type = eBooks
- Last Updated: Nov 14, 2024 8:20 AM
- URL: https://libguides.gvsu.edu/com275
