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Potomac State College

ENGR 101 - Research Projects: Search Strategies & Library Databases

Searching Strategies / Boolean Operators

Whether searching on databases or using search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo), it is critical be thoughtful in your search strategy. Appropriate keyword selection can have a major influence on your results and be the difference between wading through pages of content you don't care about or getting the right result right away.

These two short videos will help familiarize you with search strategies as well as Boolean Operators, a useful tool for making sure your search incorporates the information you need and possibly excluding information you don't. The first video focuses on keyword ideation, with a small discussion on Boolean Operators. The second video focuses on Boolean Operators alone.

Library Databases

AccessEngineering

AccessEngineering is a redesign of the online engineering resource formerly known as McGraw-Hill's Digital Engineering Library. The new-user focused design enhances this online resource of engineering content, and will support all levels of scientific and technical research in the corporate, industrial, government and academic sectors.

IEEE Xplore Digital Library

The IEEE Xplore Digital Library provides a single source to almost a third of the world's current electrical engineering and computer science literature, granting unparalleled access to publications from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) and the Institution of Electrical Engineers(IEE).

Baylor University has an excellent libguide on getting started using IEEE Xplore Digital Library: https://libguides.baylor.edu/IEEEXplore

Web of Science

Provides indexing for current and retrospective multidisciplinary information from high impact research journals from around the world.

Book an Appointment with a Librarian

Want to schedule 1:1 help in person or virtually?

Click these links to book an appointment with a PSC librarian:

Nick Gardner | Emily Zumbrun

When to Use Which Database

Access Engineering

This resource is best when you're looking for background information on a research topic. There are helpful explainer texts and videos that simplify complex topics.

IEEE Xplore Digital Library

This resource is best if you're looking for specific articles on your research topic. It provides access to a robust library of articles in the fields of engineering and computer science.

Web of Science

If you are not satisfied with what you're finding in IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Web of Science has more comprehensive coverage that spans multiple STEM disciplines. Much of the information that is in IEEE Xplore Digital Library may also be indexed in Web of Science, but there is so much more in terms of other content.