RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN OCEAN ENGINEERING


Professor von Ellenrieder

INSTRUCTORS: Leah Plocharczyk, Lyn Lavigne, & Ken Frankel

SeaTech Campus, June 1, 2007
 

Objectives:

Following this session you should be able to:
 

1.  Become aware of the FAU Libraries facilities and services
    
2.  Evaluate various sources of information
    
3.  Use the Library's catalog to locate books and other materials owned by the Library
    
4.  Log into Off Campus Connect (EZ Proxy) (when, how and why)
    
5.  Access items located on course reserve
    
6.  Know how to order materials the Libraries do not own through interlibrary loan
    
7.  Understand the difference between an electronic journal and a database
    
8.  Understand what a peer-reviewed journal is
    
9.  Become aware of and use some of the most important engineering databases
    
10.  Use SFX to connect to full text articles in different databases
     
11.  Cite your sources
     
12.  Get research assistance
    
     

Florida Atlantic University Libraries Web Site


Florida Atlantic University Libraries Online Tutorial
 

I. Locating Books and Other Materials in the Library:

1. FAU Library Catalog: The following types of basic searches are available:

A.        Search for Keyword(s): Searches for terms anywhere they appear in the catalog record. Search terms can be truncated with a ?  e.g. engine? will search for engineer, engineering, etc.

B.        Browse Organized Lists: Use this search when you already know an author, title or subject heading. Some of the available options include:

• Author’s Name: last name first, you don’t need to capitalize
• Title: if a title starts with “The,” “A,” or “An,” omit that and skip to the next word
• Subject, LC: must be entered in a very specific manner. You may get a cross-reference, suggesting an alternate search term. If you’re not finding anything with a subject search try a keyword search instead.

C.        Journals/Serials: This search lets you know if the Library has a certain journal or magazine. However, it does not search for articles in journals. To do this, use a database instead (see below). After searching for a journal title, click on the “Location” line to see which dates the Library owns. (Note: not all electronic journals are cataloged in WebLUIS. There is also a link to a separate list of all electronic journals available at FAU.)

 The Advanced search screen allows you to combine terms using “and, or, not” as well as limiting a search by location, date, format, or language.

2. FAU Libraries Ocean Engineering Research Guide
    Includes both print and electronic reference sources on this subject.


3. FAU Libraries Interlibrary Loan
    A service that obtains loans of books and copies of articles that FAU does not own,
    and also sends library materials from one FAU campus to another.   
 

II.   Connecting to FAU Libraries Electronic Resources from Off Campus:      

To connect to the electronic journals and databases provided by the FAU Libraries from off-campus you must first log into Off Campus Connect (EZProxy) using your 14-digit Owl Card number. It is not necessary to do this while working on the FAU campuses.

III. Searching for Articles in Databases

To search for articles click on “Indexes/Databases” or “Articles.” There are both alphabetical and subject listings of databases. The Libraries provide access to many databases containing information useful to professional engineers and engineering students. Some of these are listed below:


A. Compendex
Covers significant engineering and technical literature from journals, technical reports,   engineering society publications, books, and conference proceedings and papers. This is
the most comprehensive engineering database.

B.  Applied Science and Technology Full Text
Indexes the latest findings in every area of science, engineering, and technology covering trade and industrial publications, journals issued by professional and technical societies, and specialized subject periodicals.

C. ASFA 2- Ocean Technology, Policy and Non-Living Resources (CSA)
Coverage spans the wide-ranging fields of oceanography: physical, descriptive, dynamical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects are extensively examined, as well as limnology, ocean engineering, and specific resources.

D. Oceanic Abstracts (CSA)
Oceanic Abstracts is focused exclusively on worldwide technical literature pertaining to the marine and brackish-water environment.

E. ENGnetBASE: Engineering Handbooks Online
Consists of a compilation of essential engineering information, including data, facts,      figures, graphs, equations, illustrations, and charts.

F. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
Covers every doctoral dissertation completed in the U.S. at accredited institutions for the last 150 years. Includes some master's theses and foreign language dissertations.

G. Web of Science
Three unique citation databases which allow searching cited references as well as traditional searches independently or in combination: the Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Arts and Humanities Citation Index. Can sort search results by number of times cited.

 

 IV. Citing your References

Engineering disciplines use different styles to document resources used in writing papers. Your professor will normally tell you what style to use; if not, be sure to ask. A useful Web site providing information on citation styles is provided by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL):

The Owl at Purdue Free writing help and teaching resources. Open 24/7.

V. Getting Additional Help

Ask-A-Librarian Email and chat reference help

Reference desk phone number: 561-297-3785 (Boca Raton)
                                                           954-201-6653 (Davie)
                                                           954-357-7444 (Ft. Lauderdale)

One-on-one reference consultation Make an appointment to meet with a reference librarian