Subject Guide Television Research
Contents
- Introduction & contact information
- Guides to the Literature
- Dictionaries/encyclopedias
- Finding books
- Finding articles
- Handbooks
- Television programs
- Directories
- Statistics
- Other web resources
Introduction & contact information
This guide is devoted to finding research tools for studying television. Television as a subject for seriously scholarly study has grown greatly in the last decade or so. Related guides include those for film resources, film criticism, and Communication. For further guidance, contact the film and television subject bibliographer in the Library:Pamela Jackson
San Diego State University Library
Office: LA1101C
Phone:(619) 594-3809
E- mail: pjackson@rohan.sdsu.edu
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Guides to the literature
On the Screen: A Film, Television and Video Research Guide.
(PN 1994 .F57 1986 REF)
Lists guides, indexes, dictionaries, catalogs, and core periodicals. Also has sources for biographies, reviews and credits. Gives addresses of research centers, archives and associations. It is getting dated but is still a good source.Mass Communications Research Resources.
(HE 7631 .M37 1998)
A guide to various reference sources useful for research in mass communication. Television is covered though not as extensively as in On the Screen, but it is more up-to-date.
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Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
Critical Dictionary of Film and Television Theory.
(PN 1993.45 C75 2001) REF
A relatively new dictionary with a more scholarly approach than most.Encyclopedia of Television.
(PN 1992.18 .E53 2004) REF
The most comprehensive and recent encyclopedia devoted to television, this four volume work consists of an alphabetical listing of phrases, technical terms, organizations, networks, key people and important shows. Worldwide coverage, but emphasis on U.S.Facts on File Dictionary of Television, Cable and Video.
(PN 1992.18 .R44 1994) REF
Includes terms used in these three areas as well as organizations, networks, awards, companies, laws, etc. Does not include programs or people. Appendix is a list of abbreviations and acronyms.International Film, Television and Video Acronyms.
(PN 1993.45 .S76 1993) REF
Lists over 3400 acronyms in use in these three areas worldwide. Consists of organizations and of technical terms. There are three indexes: full name, country, and subject.
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Finding books
Look for books in the PAC (the library's online catalog). Use terms beginning with "Television" or "Video" under Subject. There are also terms such as "Violence on television" or "Comedy programs" (which is used instead of situation comedies). To find some of these terms, try Words or check the Library of Congress Subject Headings books for the proper subject term.
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Finding articles
Many indexes to periodical articles have information pertinent to television.
Online:
- Academic Search Premier (EBSCO)
- Proquest Research Library
- NewsBank NewsFile Collection.
- ComAbstracts.
A web based abstracting service for about 40 scholarly communication journals. Put out by the same organization that produces Open Journals Index but not to be confused with Communication Abstracts, which has a different publisher. - Open Journals Index.
Contains bibliographic information for journal articles published in the primary professional literature of the communication(s) field. Includes bibliographic information only as compared to ComAbstracts, which has abstracts and some full text coverage. - Web of Science for the Social Science Citation Index and the Humanities Citation Index.
Print Indexes:
- Communication Abstracts
(HM258 .C55) REF
Abstracts of articles on communications from scholarly journals. Subject index cumulates at end of year. However, subjects are often so general that exact matches to topics are difficult. - Film Literature Index.
(PN 1993 F55) REF
Although mostly devoted to indexing journals and magazines in film, television research is also indexed. - International Index to Television Periodicals.
(HE 8700 .I57) REF
An index to general topics in television plus references to specific programs. Although coverage is worldwide, emphasis is British. Last volume published goes to 1990. SDSU Library does not have most of the journals indexed. - Variety Television Reviews.
(PN 1992.3 .U5V36) REF
Reprints of reviews of television programs as found in Variety. SDSU Library has only the volumes covering 1923-1950 plus the index to all volumes. Index will lead you to the original newspaper which we do have.
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Handbooks
The Complete Actors' Television Credits, 1948-1988.
(PN 1992.4 .A2P3 1989) REF
Limited to performers in leading roles; lists detailed credits, telecast date(s), and network for each program.Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television.
(PN 2012 .W52) REF
An excellent source for relatively well known persons in these fields. Cumulative index at end of latest volume.International Television and Video Almanac.
(HE 8698 I55) REF for latest year
This industry standard contains information on television performers, procedures, distributors, future releases, the world market, etc. Published annually.Performer's Television Credits, 1948-2000.
(PN 1992.4 A2 I58 2001) REF
A 3 volume comprehensive listing of actors and actresses and other personalities and the television roles they played.Video Source Book
(PN 1992.95 V53) REF
Comprehensive listing to available videos in all formats giving distributors, prices, description, etc. Several indexes including subject and credits. Valuable because it includes many non feature films. Published annually.Who's Who in Television and Cable.
(PN 1992.4 .A2W44 1983) 4TH FLOOR BOOKS
Includes 2500 brief biographies of leading personalities in the television, video, and cable industries. Although somewhat dated, it is still the most comprehensive work of its kind.
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Television Programs
The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows, 1946-present.
(PN 1992.18 .B68 2003) REF
Gives program details (dates, cast, summary) for each show listed. Has an index by cast members plus several useful appendices (Emmys, ratings, prime time schedules, etc.).Prime-time Hits.
(PN 1992.3 .U5S23) REF
A year by year account of the top ten shows with each show having one to two pages of information. Shows are listed only once (in the first year the show makes the top ten).Television Character and Story Facts.
(PN 1992.8 .S4T48 1993) REF
Gives dates, cast and interesting facts about over 1000 shows from 1945-1992.Television Program Master Index.
(PN 1992.9 .D56 2003) REF
An index to critical and descriptive accounts of television programs as found in books. Also includes a section on the treatment of groups (ethnic, socioeconomic, occupational, etc.) on television. Ask at Reference Desk for an update to this index.Television Programming Source Books.
(PN 1992.8 .F5T38 2002) REF
A listing of films (theatrical and made for television), and series giving brief factual information about each and, most important (the publication's main purpose) who owns the distribution rights.Total Television.
(PN 1992.3 .U5M3) REF for latest
Unlike many other listings, includes PBS, cable and specials. Indexed by personalities. Also includes sections on award winners, prime time schedules, and top-rated series.
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Directories
Bacon's TV/Cable Directory.
(HE 8700.8 .B33) REF/LOCATED ON TABLE 5A
Gives programming contacts for networks, local stations, and specific programs (with emphasis on news programs).TVRadio World.
An online directory of radio and television stations on the web organized by region. Coverage is worldwide. Also includes standards, employment, education, and other information.The Working Press of the Nation, Volume 3: Radio and TV Directory.
(Z 6951 .W6)
A directory of American television and radio stations. Lists both management and programming personnel. Gives power, time of broadcasting, and network affiliation.World Guide to Television.
(PN 1992.1 .W67 1997) REF
A worldwide directory (listed by region, then by country) of regulatory organizations, broadcasters, networks, cable operators, trade associations, producers, distributors, etc. Includes trade events.
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Statistics
Many of the handbooks, directories, etc. listed above have statistical information. A good source for detailed information isStatistical Reference Index
(HA1 .S75) REF
Annual indexing and abstracting service of statistics published by state governments, organizations and businesses. Also indexes some popular magazines (including Variety) for statistical information.
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Other Web Resources
As one would expect, there are thousands of sites on the Web dealing with television. Most are devoted to individual programs or themes and are of the "fan" or discussion group variety. To find these, it is best to use one of the search engines and select from the directory listings (usually entertainment, then television). Yahoo is especially good in this area.
Some particularly good sites because of their academic nature or their "megasite" aspect
(i.e. leading you to other sites) are:
Internet Movie Database
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Although called movie database, this popular and informative web site has many references to television shows, performers, etc. Not scholarly but full of good information.
Has information on the organization and on the Emmys. Also includes a listing of jobs available in the television industry.Screensite: Film & TV Studies
Special TV Resources
This is THE site for getting to information of an academic nature related to film and television studies ("stresses teaching and research...designed for educators and students.") Includes information on research, education and production resources. Links to many sites. Extensively revised in 2003, now includes a blog. See TVcrit.com below.
A site that links to other sites for television actors and actresses, shows, ads, networks, etc.Television Resources
A list of links to television sites, this page was created by the Library of Congress.TVcrit.com
Based on the textbook called Television: Critical Methods & Applications, this is sister site to Screensite.org (see above). Includes links to resources, news, illustrations, etc.Zap2it
This oddly named site has hundreds of links to networks, television shows, etc. Excellent starting point for finding sites on specific programs. Started out as Ultimate TV.
To find some sites not listed here, you can also search in Google or another search engine by using television research resources. It is best to put this in quotes as a phrase in order to narrow your search.
