Below are resources designed to support

MEC3203 Assignment 1 and 2 research:

• Using the ASM Handbooks Online

• Finding more handbooks

• Trade magazine articles

• When to use scholarly journal articles

• Finding scholarly journal articles

• Find a full-text link to the article

• Finding books

• Finding DVDs

• Evaluating the quality of information

Picture by Paul Fiel

If you need help, contact the Faculty

Librarian, your campus library or Off-

Campus Services

To access databases:

To access the online databases and the ASM Handbooks online, follow theseinstructions:

From the Library’s home page:

Select

Select your discipline from Subject menu

Select required database/resource (eg. ASM Handbooks Online)

Select to enter the database/online resource

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Using the ASM Handbooks Online

Published by the highly regarded American Society of Metals and used byengineers all over the world

Remember the instructions that show how to get to the database

Demonstration covering keyword searching and browsing – both are skillsneeded to use the database effectively

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Finding trade journals

Trade journals are an ideal source when you are seeking information aboutinnovations in practice, government policies that have industry implications,workshops and conferences to help you stay up-to-date, advertisements fornew products, economic news affecting industry, job advertisements and othervery practical information

The Library’s home page has changed since this search demonstration wasproduced but the actual database searching demonstration is up-to-date

Remember the instructions that show you how to get to the database

Save yourself time and stress - prepare before you search

Demonstration: We find articles in trade journals/magazines that discuss theuse of composite polymers

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When to use scholarly/academic journal articles

Academic/scholarly journals are used by engineers to communicate with eachother

Engineers who lead the profession in innovative practice or research areparticularly important contributors

As a result, their use can help you stay at the forefront of the profession –helping your practice remain relevant, innovative and cost effective

 Great source of information about the development of engineering as aprofession, both historically and contemporarily

Many academic journals are peer reviewed

To find scholarly/academic journal articles

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Finding scholarly/academic journal articles

Remember the instructions that show you how to get to the database

Save yourself time and stress - prepare before you search

Demonstration: We find academic/scholarly journal articles dealing withfatigue in aluminium welds (the actual search is up-to-date)

Other good databases for Assignments 1 and 2 are:

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers Journals

• ScienceDirect

• Compendex – has a small number of full-text links in Compendex but you will find some of the articles in full-text elsewhere – here’s how

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Prepare before you search

Taking some time to prepare before you search pays off with less stress andbetter search results

Consider these seven search principles:

1. Analyse your information needs so you know exactly what you are looking for

2. Choose the most appropriate source/database

3. Identify the search terms (keywords) and write them down

4. Familiarise yourself with the search screen

5. Use the search option that lets you break down your search strategy

6. Scan the abstracts or full-text for additional search terms

7. Review your search results to ensure that all of your information needs are met

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