IME 1020: Technical Communications Guide
Overview
Contact the Science Reference desk, 387-5141 or the Science/Engineering Librarian Edward Eckel for additional help.
College-Level Research
Doing research at the college level requires that you: define the kind of information you need, decide where and how to look for it, evaluate what you find, select what is useful and cite it appropriately in your own work. Searchpath gives you the basic understanding and skills to start working at this level.
This newly revised interactive research skills tutorial covers the research process from start to finish. ResearchPath is divided into a series of video and audio modules and each ends with a quiz. Quiz results may be submitted to your instructor. Check with your instructor if the class or instructor's name is not listed.
Doing the Technical Journal Analysis
Scholarly Journals Versus Trade Magazines- a PDF handout
These two short (5 minute) videos describe the main characteristics of engineering journals and trade magazines. There is audio that comes with them, so make sure to turn your sound up.
You may complete the "Technical Journal Analysis" assignment using an online
issue from one of the publications below, or stop by the Current Periodicals section on the lower level of Waldo Library to use the hard copy magazines.
Scholarly Engineering Journals
AIAA Electronic Library (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
ASCE Research Library (American Society of Civil Engineers) (Use the "BROWSE Journals" drop-down.)
ASME Digital Library (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
Springer Journals - click on the subject link to "Engineering" to see all engineering journals. Those with green squares next to them are ones we subscribe to.
Engineering Trade Magazines
IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine
Getting Started - Doing Background Research
It is important to get a better understanding of your topic before you begin your search for articles for your research project. Use some of these resources to help you learn more about your topic area.
Online Catalog - find engineering books in Waldo Library
OmniFile Full Text Select - general interest articles
ProQuest Research Library - general interest articles
Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences
Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Safari Books Online - computer science
Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering
Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Searching for Journal Articles for Your Research Paper
Ei Compendex (a.k.a. Engineering Village) - The broadest engineering database in terms of coverage, Compendex focuses on scholarly engineering journals and conference papers, however you may find citations to the occasional trade magazine article.
Applied Science Abstracts. - This database focuses on engineering trade magazines and scholarly journals.
The following engineering subject guides will give a more complete listing of online databases for specifc engineering disciplines.
- Aviation
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Construction Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
- Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
- Paper Engineering
Using Interlibrary Loan
If the library does not provide online or print access to an article you would like you can request a free Xeroxed copy. Click on the ILL (interlibrary loan) option from the gold Find it @ WMU button in the article index. Allow about one week for article delivery. To activate this service you will first need to fill out the one-time interlibrary loan registration form.
Citing Sources
The APA Style Help website contains a Flash tutorial on APA style. You can access it here.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 5th Edition: A Brief Guide
A brief overview of the most commonly used types of the APA (American Psychology Association) bibliographic style: http://www.wmich.edu/library/help/guides/_pdf/apa.pdf. For a more comprehensive guide use Purdue University: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/. The Library has a paper copies: (BF 76.7.P83 2009), copies are available at all WMU Libraries' reference desks.
Career Report
You might want to start with the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
WMU's BroncoJobs supplies information and useful links.
Jobs & Careers in the General Engineering Subject Guide gives some sites that specialize in engineering careers.
Company Information
Most of the time, you can find a company web page by typing the name of the company or corporation into Google. Look for a "company information" or "About the company" link.
For more in-depth company research, use the resources on the Company Information guide to assist you.