Best Bets for Starting Your Research in...

:: Computer Science::

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

• Applied Science & Technology Index
  Citations and abstracts to international and English language periodicals, covering engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer technology.
  Coverage: 1983-present.

• ProQuest Computing
  Includes over 350 titles, with nearly 300 available in full text. Topics include: Artificial intelligence, Computer games, Computer graphics, Computer networks, Computer programming, Computer security, Computer systems, Database management, Electronic data processing, Hardware, Information science and information theory, and Software.
  Coverage: 1990-present

• Academic OneFile
  Academic OneFile is a premier source for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from leading journals and reference sources. With extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects, Academic OneFile is both authoritative and comprehensive. With millions of articles available in both PDF and HTML full-text with no restrictions, researchers are able to find accurate information quickly.
  Coverage: 1980-Present
  Listen to a fun podcast "interview" with this database: iTunes RealPlayer
  
  

• AccessScience
  AccessScience features fully searchable content from the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Yearbook of Science & Technology, and the Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms.
  

Tips: When searching databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses to focus your search.

The asterisk * symbol will search for all variations of a word. For example: computer* will search for computers or computerization. Using quotes will search for a phrase.

Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses, like this:

"design engineering" AND ("computer aided design" or CAD)

Here's another example:

(AI or "artificial intelligence") AND (education* or instruction*)

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

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

1. Computer graphics
2. Computer science
   
3. Computer science - mathematics
4. Computer software - development
5. Wikis (Computer science)

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: "math$" will search for math, mathematics, mathematical, etc. Watch out for truncating too broadly: Using comput$ for computers, will also bring up computing or computation; and matri$ for matrix/matrices will also bring up matriculation or matrimonial.

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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

• The Computer Glossary; the Complete Illustrated Dictionary
  Ref QA76.15.F733 2001
• McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology
  Q121 .M3 2002, 20 vols
  
• Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology
  Ref QA76.15H43 2003
• Handbook of Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision
  TK7882 .P3 H35 2005
• The Internet Encyclopedia
  Ref TK5105.875.I57.I5466 2004, 3 vols
• The Software Encyclopedia, RR.Bowker Publishers
  Ref QA76.6 .S65 2007
• Advanced Wired and Wireless Networks (E-Book)
  
  

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.

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

• Science. Gov
  http://www.science.gov
  Gateway to over 50 million pages of authoritative selected science information provided by U.S. government agencies, including research and development results. Topics under the heading Computers and Communication include networks, hardware, software, etc.; under Mathematics include computational science, technology, and linguistics. Each leads to lists of organizations, projects, and tools.
  
  
• ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery
  http://www.acm.org/
  Works to advance the art, science, engineering, and application of information technology. Serves professionals and the public with open information interchange and by promoting standards.
  
  
• ACMs Special Interest Groups
  http://www.acm.org/sigs
  Offering a wealth of conferences, publications, and activities on the local-to-global scale, providing unlimited opportunities for sharing technical expertise and first-hand knowledge of the latest development trends. Topic includes Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Computer-Human Interaction, etc.
  
  
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
  http://www.ieee.org
  IEEE is a leading authority on areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics among others. Dozens of journals and conference proceedings also cover a broad range of technologies. Student groups have been formed at many campuses.
  
  
• IEEE Computer Society
  http://www.computer.org/portal/site/ieeecs/index.jsp
  It is the largest of the 39 societies of the IEEE. It's dedicated to advancing the theory, practice, and application of computer and information processing technology.
  
  
• Software and Information Industry Association
  http://www.siia.net
  The principal trade association for the software and digital content industry.
  
  Tips: Any web site can be changed without notice, so be sure to evaluate every site you use.

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Use these short e-learning modules to get quick answers!

• Find a video/DVD in the catalog
• Find an e-book in the catalog
• Generate a bibliography automatically using 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
  

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