Journalism & Research (Campus)
This guide is intended to help you identify and locate scholarly and non-scholarly resources (books, articles, etc.) on the subject of journalism & research.
Journalism Research Recommended Databases
The Shapiro Library subscribes numerous databases filled with scholarly articles, book chapters, research reports, statistics, and more from thousands of respected publications. The following is a list of some of the best database for doing research on the subject of journalism:
- Business Insights: Essentials - Gale This link opens in a new windowNewspapers, magazines and scholarly (peer-reviewed) journals, and reports in business disciplines as well as company profiles, company histories and S.W.O.T analysis reports
- CQ Researcher - SAGE This link opens in a new windowReports that explores a single current issue in the news in depth. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology.
- SAGE Data This link opens in a new windowProvides access to more than 18.9 billion data points from more than 70 source organizations.
- Historical Statistics of the United States This link opens in a new windowLandmark reference source that is the standard for quantitative facts of American history
- National Criminal Justice (NCJRS) Reference Service This link opens in a new windowThe NCJRS Library and Abstracts provide access to summaries of more than 195,000 justice and substance abuse resources. National Criminal Justice Reference Service is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context - Gale This link opens in a new window
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One-stop source for information on social issues. - Statistical Abstract of the U.S. - ProQuest This link opens in a new windowComprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
- SRDS Media Planning Platform This link opens in a new windowThe leading provider of media rates and data. Library subscribes to: Business Publication Advertising Source; Consumer Magazine Advertising Source; Direct Marketing List Source; Newspaper Advertising Source; Radio Advertising Source; TV and Cable Source; and Interactive Advertising Source. Access Note: The database has a concurrent user limit. If you can't access SRDS please try again later. The Claritas 360 Platform can only be accessed via the latest 2 versions of Google Chrome.
- USA.gov This link opens in a new windowPremier search engine that retrieves information from all the web sites of the U.S. federal government
A Note on Statistics
Why use statistics in journalism?
Question: What value lies in statistics? Why would a researcher use statistical or polling information?
Answer: Statistics can be very persuasive. They can help clarify and put an argument into perspective. Keep in mind, though: statistical data is only as good as the people who create it, the quality of their work, and how well they relay their personal or organizational bias.
A Few Things to Consider
Statistics are perhaps the most difficult type of information to find. Here are a few things to think about when trying to find a statistic:
- Who cares about this information?
Statistics cost a lot to collect. Who cares enough about the information to collect it? Some of the most common groups who collect statistics are the government, marketers, and associations.
- The most recent statistic is probably not from this year.
Because statistics take time and money to collect, the most recent statistic that you are likely to find may be a few years old.
- Follow the trail.
Finding statistics can sometimes be an exercise in detective work. Always look at the source of the statistic. If you read an article and it sites a source, consult that source. They may have additional statistics that weren't referenced in the article.
- Evaluate the source.
As with all information, you should evaluate the source providing the statistic. Are they biased? Is the group or website reliable? Do they cite the source of the statistic?
- Read the statistic carefully.
Be sure to pay close attention to any information provided surrounding how the statistic was collected, etc. You don't want to misrepresent the statistic in an article.
Content from Journalism Guide at NYU Libraries This link opens in a new window