Thank you if anyone could help me with the previous posts.

If you are taking a course in mass media, surely you have a textbook or have been referred to particular websites or reference databases via your school's library.

If the above is not true, it looks as if what you need to do is learn how to conduct thorough and effective searches for yourself. That's what research is. Please also keep in mind that you are searching for information that is so specific that you have to be prepared for the possibility that none of it may be online. Or some may be, and some may not. In addition to searching on the Internet, you also need to make best friends with the reference librarian(s) in your local or college library.

http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/
At this webpage, you can go immediately to the search sites (first three columns across the top) -- or even better you can scroll down until you see the section called HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET. Those are the links to start with. You'll not only learn how to come up with good search terms, but also how to evaluate the webpages you get as results. Some will be good and others will be garbage. You need to know how to tell the difference.

My favorite way to search is to go to Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en and put my search words or phrases into the first or second search box (either "all the words" or "exact phrase"). However, there many other strategies for searching you can use, and the HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET section will help you best.

Learning to use Google or other search engines can save you time and help you learn to find information efficiently. Here are some websites that can teach you how:

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/searchtips.html

http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html

http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T

... and one to help you judge whether a particular website's information is worth your time:

http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/evaluate.html

Happy searching.

=)

If you are looking for help with conducting thorough and effective searches for information on mass media, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Start by referring to your course textbook or any recommended reading materials provided by your instructor. These resources can give you a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject.

2. Access your school's library website and explore the reference databases available. These databases often contain scholarly articles, books, and other reliable sources of information on mass media. If you are unsure how to navigate the library website, reach out to a reference librarian for assistance.

3. Utilize search tools and strategies to find relevant information. Begin by visiting the "HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET" section on the SOU Library website (http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/). This section provides guidance on effective search techniques and also offers links to recommended search sites.

4. One popular search engine you can use is Google. Visit the Google Advanced Search page (http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en) to refine your search by specifying all the words or using exact phrases. However, be sure to also explore other search strategies mentioned in the "HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET" section mentioned earlier.

5. To further enhance your searching skills, consider visiting the following websites that offer tips and tutorials on finding information online:

- UC Berkeley Library's Guide to Finding Information on the Internet (http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html)
- SOU Library's Search Tools and Search Tips (http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/searchtips.html)
- Pandia's Goalgetter (http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html)
- About.com's Web Search Guide (http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T)

6. Lastly, it's important to evaluate the reliability and credibility of the sources you find. The SOU Library website provides an evaluation guide (http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/evaluate.html) to help you determine the worthiness of a particular website's information.

Remember, becoming skilled in conducting research and effectively searching for information takes practice. Don't hesitate to seek further guidance from your reference librarian or instructor if you encounter any difficulties. Happy searching!

If you are looking for information related to mass media, it is recommended to start by checking your course textbook or any specific websites or reference databases that have been recommended by your school's library. These resources are often curated and relevant to your course material.

If you don't have access to these specific resources, or if you're looking for more information beyond what is provided in your course materials, it is important to develop effective research skills. Conducting thorough and effective searches is a crucial part of research.

To start with, you can utilize the Internet by using search engines like Google. Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en allows you to enter specific search words or phrases into the search box. This can help you find relevant information more easily.

However, simply searching for information online isn't enough. It is essential to learn how to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the webpages you find. Some sources may be trustworthy, while others may not. The section called "HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET" in the webpage http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/ provides helpful links to guide you on evaluating webpages.

In addition to online searching, it is also highly recommended to seek assistance from reference librarians in your local or college library. They are skilled in helping students find relevant and reliable information. Building a good relationship with them can be beneficial throughout your academic journey.

Here are some additional websites that offer guidance on effective searching and evaluating information:

- http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html
- http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/searchtips.html
- http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html
- http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T

Lastly, keep in mind that some of the information you may be looking for might not be available online. Be prepared to utilize various sources and strategies to gather the specific information you need.