Virginia Tech's University Libraries house a huge number of authoritative resources that you'll find essential as you complete course work for this class, and for the rest of your degree(s).  Basic library resources that you should know about and use regularly include:

• Summon, the library search engine
• Addison, the library catalog
• The Computer Science Subject Guide (best place to start for CS research)
• General interest databases
• Helpful research tutorials

Finding Literature

Finding journal and other types of articles isn't very difficult; however, finding authoritative and relevant journal articles can be!  The databases recommended here are great places to seek out current, authoritative, and relevant literature on your topic:

• Academic Search Complete (general)
• ACM Digital Library (computer science/engineering)
• IEEE Xplore (computer science/engineering)
• Google Scholar (general; free)

Finding Case Studies

When you search for case studies online, you'll often find that prominent business schools (such as Harvard, or UVA) will charge $6-$20 for a single case study.  However, several library databases grant you access to authoritative and interesting case studies of all types:

• Business Source Complete (select "case study" as document type OR type in "case study" as a subject term)
• ABI/INFORM (select "case study" as a document type)
• EconLit (use "case study" as a keyword and combine it with any other topic)
• IEEE Xplore (use "case study" as a keyword)

Evaluating Information

Regardless of the type of information that you are using, you always need to consider the authority, coverage, objectivity, accuracy, and currency of the information.  University Libraries offers several guides on evaluating information:

• Evaluating Information, in general
• Information Skills Modules:  Evaluating Information
• Evaluating Internet information

Using Information Ethically & Legally

Understanding citations is a huge part of the research process.  In order to use information ethically and legally, you know how to create appropriate citations.  Similarly, in order to track down relevant resources, you need to be able to read citations.  University Libraries offers an entire guide on citations and style manuals.  Furthermore, we offer information on citation management systems, such as EndNote or Zotero.  

Questions?

Schedule a one-on-one appointment with your subject librarian if you have any other questions or concerns. Information for all College Librarians can be found here.  Additionally, the 4th floor reference desk (Science & Technology Reference Desk) is staffed during normal library hours, if you have a question that needs immediate assistance.  You can drop in, or use our Ask a Librarian system for virtual service.  We look forward to seeing you in the library!  

Tags

• Engineering