5. Library Catalog
• How to Find Books
• How to Find Journals
6. Databases
• Search for Articles
• Find Articles
Earlier in this tutorial we looked at the advantages of using the Library for research instead of going straight to Google. We hope you've gained an appreciation for the Web-based resources available through your Library.
We also hope we haven't given you the impression that the public, free Web should be avoided. Not at all! You just have to be more careful when using the Web for research because anybody can put anything on the Web and it's not always easy to tell if the information is accurate or legitimate.
When using the Web always think about what you're looking at and consider the following:
- Authority and Accuracy
Who is responsible for the content? What institution or company is responsible? What are their qualifications? Is it clear who is sponsoring the page? Is an address and phone number provided? Are sources for factual information clearly listed?
- Objectivity
What is the purpose of the web page? Is the information provided as a public service? Is there advertising, and if so is it clearly differentiated from the information content?
- Currency
When was the page produced? When was it last updated? How current are the links?
What are "good" sources of engineering information on the Web?
Usually you have to decide for yourself using the criteria listed above. You can also use lists and directories compiled by trustworthy sources. Websites by Subject is an example. It lists thousands of websites selected by Cal Poly Pomona librarians. Websites of engineering societies, government agencies, manufacturers and vendors are also excellent sources of quality information.
Websites of engineering and other professional societies are tremendous sources of information. Exploring engineering society websites will help you learn about the profession. You can expect to find:
- Member services and information about society activities
- Professional and career resources
- job leads
- professional education
- networking
- Student Resources
- scholarships
- student competitions
- career advice
- News and Public Affairs: history, achievements, milestones of the profession
- Sometimes selected journal articles or other publications will be available
Some major engineering societies:
- AIAA: American Instititute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
- AIChE: American Insititute of Chemical Engineers
- ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers
- ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- IEEE: Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
- IIE: Institute of Industrial Engineers
- SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers
- SME: Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- AIP: American Institute of Physics (not exactly an engineering society, but this website has lots of news and information of interest to engineers!)
The federal government is a prodigious producer of information and funds research that results in even more information. Government agencies producing data and information of interest to engineers include:
- Department of Energy
- Department of Transportation
- Environmental Protection Agency
- NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Research from government agencies is often publsihed in technical reports. Reports from NASA and the Department of Energy are some of the most commonly cited. Websites by Subject: Technical Reports provides information about finding technical reports.
Other important federal government websites:
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Patents are valuable sources of design information.
- Federal Laws & Regulations
Links to federal laws and regulations.
- Science.gov
An entry point for scientific and technical government information.
And some important state government websites:
- CALTRANS: California Department of Transportation
- California Air Resources Board
- California Department of Water Resources
- California Geological Survey
HINT: If you want to search for government websites, Google has a feature that can help. Use site:gov in combination with your search terms to limit your search to websites from government agencies. If you want to limit to a specific agency, use the domain, for example site:nasa.gov.
Engineers and engineering students frequently need data from vendors or manufacturers. Why? You might need to locate a specialized product, component, or material. Or you might need detailed data on the product, component, or material. This information is often available from manufacturers and vendors.
How do you find this type of information? You can always use your favorite search engine but you can save time by using a specialized website, for example:
- ThomasNet is a free online directory of manufacturers. You can search for manufacturers of everything from raw materials to parts, components, and finished products. Links to the manufacturers' catalogs are included when available. This website is based the Thomas Register of American Manufacturers which no longer available in print.
- Grainger and McMaster-Carr are
two large suppliers of industrial equipment. These comprehensive
catalogs have been staples in engineering firms for decades.
Both are
freely available and searchable on the Web. Use them to find
out what's available and to get pricing information. Photos of
products are included.
- MSC Industrial Supply Co. is one of the largest marketers of industrial supplies and equipment; find product descriptions, specifications, and more.
- EEM (Electronic Engineers Master Catalog) is a comprehensive source for electronic parts. Search by part number, manufacturer, or other parameters. Inludes access to data sheets, semiconductor applications, a reference design directory, and more. You will have to register to use the website; registration is free.The print EEM directory is available in the Library's Reference collection, TK 7870 E25. ICMaster is a related website for electronic parts searching.
Ann E. Morgan * (909) 869-4670 * aemorgan@csupomona.edu *