Best Bets for Starting Your Research in...

:: Engineering ::

Use databases to find articles on your topic. These databases are the best place to start.

• Applied Science & Technology
  High quality indexing of over 760 periodicals as far back as 1983, over half of which are peer-reviewed.
  Updated daily.
  Date Coverage: 1983 to present.

• Google Scholar
  Google Scholar allows for searching across many disciplines and sources. Subject coverage strengths include: Physics, Engineering, Social Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Medical. Source types include: peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations. Specify Fairfield University (via Scholar Preferences) for enhanced access to our library resources.

Tips: When searching databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses to focus your search. Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses, like this:

(Michelson OR Morley) AND (aether OR speed of light )

Here's another example:

(von Neumann OR architecture) AND (Turing machine OR sequential)

Already have the citation? Find an article with citation linker!

back to top

Find books using the library catalog. Browse these subjects to get general information on your topic.

1. C++ (Computer program language)
2. Mechanical engineering - Handbooks, manuals, etc.
3. Fuzzy logic.
4. Renewable energy sources.
5. Computer integrated manufacturing systems.

Search the library catalog! Find books, media materials, and more.

Other searches:
Browse | Advanced Search

Tips: When searching the library catalog with keywords, use the dollar sign ($) to search for a word and all of its variations.

For example: logi$ will search for logic, logistical, logics, etc.

back to top

Reference tools such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are good places to start your research because they provide an overview of the topic as well as keywords, dates, and facts.

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Handbooks

• Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering, and Technology
  Ref. QA76.15 .D5258 2001
  This dictionary provides workable definitions and practical information, useful for who work with or write about computers. Some 7,500 terms are defined, encompassing subjects from artificial intelligence to programming languages, from software engineering to operating systems.

• McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology
  Ref. Q121.M3 2002
  This 20-volume updated work contains over 7,100 articles on all major areas of engineering and science.

• International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry, & Technology (1st Electronic Edition)
  Featuring physical, thermodynamic, mechanical, and other key properties, this major reference source is used by those involved in chemistry, physics, and engineering.
  
  
• Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables
  This handbook has been designed to provide scientific investigators with a comprehensive and self-contained summary of the mathematical functions that arise in physical and engineering problems.

Tips: Try looking at the bibliography at the end of the entry for a list of other sources such as relevant journal articles and books.

When you have found books on your topic, look at the books on the shelf nearby to see if they are related to your topic.

back to top

These web sites have been evaluated by librarians (that's a good thing) for your use in an academic setting.

• TechXtra in Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing (Web portal)
  http://www.techxtra.ac.uk/
  TechXtra is a free service which can help you find articles, books, the best websites, the latest industry news, job announcements, technical reports, technical data, full text eprints, the latest research, thesis & dissertations, teaching and learning resources and more, in engineering, mathematics and computing. Many of the things you'll find through TechXtra come from the "Hidden Web", and are not indexed by Google.
• Intute: Science, Engineering & Technology (Web portal)
  http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/
  free online service providing you with access to the very best Web resources for education and research, evaluated and selected by a network of subject specialists. It covers the physical sciences, engineering, computing, geography, mathematics and environmental science. The database currently contains 33103 records.
  
• SciTechResources.gov
  http://www.scitechresources.gov/
  A catalog of government science and technology Web sites.
• IEEE
  http://www.ieee.org/portal/site
  The world's leading professional organization for the advancement of technology.
• Smithsonian Institution Engineering & Industry links plus Encyclopedia http://www.si.edu/RESOURCE/FAQ/nmah/industry.htm
• Built in America (Library of Congress American Memory Collection)
  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/
  
  Tips: Any web site can be changed without notice, so be sure to evaluate every site you use.

back to top

• Find a video/DVD in the catalog
• Find an e-book in the catalog
• Need help creating a bibliography? Try RefWorks!
  • RefWorks import/export directions
  • RefWorks login information
  • RefWorks tutorial

Still have questions?

• Get help 24/7
• Via Web chat at http://www.fairfield.edu/lib_askalibrarian.html

back to top