CAS 110/120 - Public Speaking / Interpersonal Communication

Speeches should be grounded in research. For this class, whatever topic you choose, you should examine magazine, journal, newspaper articles, websites, blogs for accuracy.

General databases are listed first. Academic Search Premier (in the general databases) is a good place to start your research.

Commonly used subject-specific databases are listed second.

The third section lists newspapers.

Statistical  web resources are listed in the fourth section.

(There is a complete list of databases found on the Zondervan Library page under Library Resources Online.)  

For this particular class and this particular assignment the goal of the session is to point you to Zondervan Library tools and resources, so we won't be using Google today. But the CARS evaluation criteria is a good way to assess whether or not to use any source: books, journals, magazines or web sites.

Statistical sources provide specific data points that add interest and support to your topic.There are some excellent statistical sources both print and web. Here are some suggestions:

• Statista (found on the links to articles page)
• Statistical Abstracts of the United States: REF 317 Un 4  Note: individual tables are also accessible through Google but sometimes are tricky to identify and may not be the most current information.)
• Pew Research Center: http://www.pewresearch.org/topics/
• Gallup Research Polls--Public Opinion: REF 301.1543  Note: Lexis/Nexis Database also has access to Gallup Poll News Service. You can search specifically by that title.
• Web sites of reputable national or international organizations will often provide statistical data. For example: World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/topics/en/ 

 Using Library tools and resources you are assured of reliable content and solidly researched statistics.