Communication & Media: Handbooks

Handbooks bring together overviews, written by experts, of the research literature in a wide variety of topics.

They can give you background knowledge of research topics and guide you to influential articles for your own research.

A literature review summarizes & analyzes published work on a topic in order to

• evaluate the state of research on the topic.
• provide an overview of previous research on a topic that critically evaluates, classifies, and compares what has already been published on a particular topic.
• suggest future research and/or gaps in knowledge.
• synthesize and place into context original research and scholarly literature relevant to the topic (as in the literature review prior within an empirical research article.

Use UP Library Search to find books, streaming videos, online resources, journal articles, and much more (Search Tips). Need help? See handouts for Finding Books on the Shelf and Requesting Clark Library and Summit Items online.