How to Find Information in Civil How to Find Information in Civil and Environmental Engineeringand Environmental Engineering

Bruce SlutskyBruce Slutsky

NJIT LibraryNJIT Library

Scientific MethodScientific Method

The scientific method is the process by which The scientific method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over time, scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate endeavor to construct an accurate representation of the world.  There are representation of the world.  There are various thought processes that are used various thought processes that are used when the scientific method is employedwhen the scientific method is employed

Information RetrievalInformation Retrieval

We are flooded with scientific and technical We are flooded with scientific and technical information.  Scientists, engineers and information.  Scientists, engineers and students must be able to find information at students must be able to find information at all levels from a multitude of information all levels from a multitude of information resources available to themresources available to them

Similarities between the Scientific Similarities between the Scientific Method and Information RetrievalMethod and Information Retrieval

Scientific MethodScientific Method Know the subject Know the subject Require new knowledge Require new knowledge Propose an experiment to find new Propose an experiment to find new

knowledge knowledge Conduct the experiment Conduct the experiment Observe and interpret the results Observe and interpret the results Revise the experiment Revise the experiment Interpret the final outcome of the Interpret the final outcome of the

experiment experiment

Information RetrievalInformation Retrieval Know the scope of and contents of Know the scope of and contents of

databases in his/her field of endeavor databases in his/her field of endeavor Require new knowledge Require new knowledge Devise an initial search strategy Devise an initial search strategy

using relevant terminology in subject using relevant terminology in subject databases databases

Examine the initial answer set Examine the initial answer set Revise the strategy based on findings Revise the strategy based on findings

from the initial answer set from the initial answer set Explore alternative search options Explore alternative search options Examine the final answer set Examine the final answer set Find the relevant documents Find the relevant documents Use the information found Use the information found

#1

RESEARCH

QUESTION

#2

SEARCH

STRATEGY

#3

EVALUATE

RESULTS

• Develop understanding of research question and scope of topic

• Brainstorm alternative keywords/synonyms for major concepts

• Look over initial search results, check for false hits or additional terms descriptors you may have missed.

• Does your original search string need to be modified? Did you select an appropriate database?

THE STRUCTURED RESEARCH METHOD IS AN ITERATIVE PROCESSTHE STRUCTURED RESEARCH METHOD IS AN ITERATIVE PROCESS

• Use both a web search engine and the library portal.

• When selecting a data source to search, think about who would care about your topic? What disciplines cover your area of interest?

• Formulate search string by combining concepts

Formats of the Scientific and Formats of the Scientific and Technical LiteratureTechnical Literature

Journal Journal Conference Proceeding Conference Proceeding Magazine Magazine Review Journal Review Journal Research Level Book (monograph) Research Level Book (monograph) Encyclopedia Encyclopedia Data CompilationData Compilation

What is a Journal?What is a Journal?

A A journaljournal is a publication issued periodically that is a publication issued periodically that reports original research. Manuscripts submitted reports original research. Manuscripts submitted by researchers are scrutinized by an editor and a by researchers are scrutinized by an editor and a referee before they are accepted for publication.  referee before they are accepted for publication.  This is known as the This is known as the peer review process.peer review process. The The articles are very detailed and include detailed articles are very detailed and include detailed experimental procedures.  It is aimed at a very experimental procedures.  It is aimed at a very specialized audience of researchers in the field. specialized audience of researchers in the field.

Selected Journals in Civil and Environmental Selected Journals in Civil and Environmental EngineeringEngineering

EnvironmentalEnvironmental Journal of Geotechnical and Journal of Geotechnical and

GeoenvironmentalGeoenvironmental Engineering Engineering Environmental Science and Technology Environmental Science and Technology Environmental PollutionEnvironmental Pollution Ground WaterGround Water

Selected Journals in Civil and Environmental Selected Journals in Civil and Environmental EngineeringEngineeringStructuralStructural

Journal of Structural Engineering Journal of Structural Engineering Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake

EngineeringEngineering Computer-aided civil and infrastructure Computer-aided civil and infrastructure

engineeringengineering     Computers & StructuresComputers & Structures

What is a Conference Proceeding?What is a Conference Proceeding?

Scientists and engineers regularly attend conferences to Scientists and engineers regularly attend conferences to report recent research findings to their colleagues.  Most report recent research findings to their colleagues.  Most conferences are organized by professional societies such conferences are organized by professional societies such as the as the American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Civil Engineers and the and the American Academy of Environmental EngineersAmerican Academy of Environmental Engineers. . Conferences may be held annually, bi-annually, or Conferences may be held annually, bi-annually, or irregularly.   Some are one-time events.  irregularly.   Some are one-time events.  

A A conference proceedingconference proceeding is the permanent record of the is the permanent record of the papers presented at a conference.  They are held as books papers presented at a conference.  They are held as books or as CD-ROMs in a library. or as CD-ROMs in a library.

Many conferences do not publish their proceedings, some Many conferences do not publish their proceedings, some publish only abstracts, and that papers from such meetingspublish only abstracts, and that papers from such meetings

Examples of Conference Examples of Conference ProceedingsProceedings

Environmental engineering, 1999 : proceedings of ASCE-CSCE Environmental engineering, 1999 : proceedings of ASCE-CSCE National Conference on Environmental Engineering : July 25-28, 1999, National Conference on Environmental Engineering : July 25-28, 1999, Norfolk, Virginia / edited by Gary C. Shafran ; sponsored by the Norfolk, Virginia / edited by Gary C. Shafran ; sponsored by the Environmental Engineering Division of the American Society of Civil Environmental Engineering Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers [and] Environmental Engineering Division of the Canadian Engineers [and] Environmental Engineering Division of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineers. Society for Civil Engineers.

Clean water, clean environment, 21st century : team agriculture, Clean water, clean environment, 21st century : team agriculture, working to protect water resources : conference proceedings, March 5-working to protect water resources : conference proceedings, March 5-8, 1995, Kansas City, Missouri / [sponsored by Working Group on 8, 1995, Kansas City, Missouri / [sponsored by Working Group on Water Quality, U.S. Department of Agriculture ; coordinated by ASAE, Water Quality, U.S. Department of Agriculture ; coordinated by ASAE, The Society for engineering in agricultural, food, and biological The Society for engineering in agricultural, food, and biological systems]. systems].

Application of stress-wave theory on piles : Second International Application of stress-wave theory on piles : Second International Conference / edited by G. Holm, H. Bredenberg, C-J GrävareConference / edited by G. Holm, H. Bredenberg, C-J Grävare

Review JournalReview Journal

A Review Journal is a condensed version of a A Review Journal is a condensed version of a research journal.  It summarizes research in a field research journal.  It summarizes research in a field over a short period of time.  The articles omit the over a short period of time.  The articles omit the detailed experimental procedures but do provide detailed experimental procedures but do provide lengthy bibliographies with references to the lengthy bibliographies with references to the original research.  Examples are: original research.  Examples are:    

Annual Review of Energy and the Environment Annual Review of Energy and the Environment Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics

MagazinesMagazines

A A magazinemagazine is a publication issued periodically that has is a publication issued periodically that has scientific and technical articles that are translated into a scientific and technical articles that are translated into a language suitable for a more general audience.  Magazine language suitable for a more general audience.  Magazine articles are usually written by a journalist rather than the articles are usually written by a journalist rather than the scientist who has done the research.  Some magazines are scientist who has done the research.  Some magazines are aimed at the lay public while others are suitable for aimed at the lay public while others are suitable for technically trained people.  Some examples of scientific technically trained people.  Some examples of scientific and technical magazines:and technical magazines:

Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Modern Steel Construction Modern Steel Construction ASTM Standardization NewsASTM Standardization News Hazardous Waste ConsultantHazardous Waste Consultant

MonographsMonographs

A A monographmonograph is librarians' jargon for a book that is is librarians' jargon for a book that is only published once.  Books are obviously written only published once.  Books are obviously written at levels ranging from elementary  to graduate at levels ranging from elementary  to graduate school level.  Recent research done over a longer school level.  Recent research done over a longer period of time is reported in monographs.  Now, period of time is reported in monographs.  Now, the information is available to a much wider the information is available to a much wider audience.  There are thousands of monographs audience.  There are thousands of monographs written in civil and environmental engineering and written in civil and environmental engineering and related disciplines. related disciplines.

HandbooksHandbooks

AA handbook handbook,  in print or electronic format, is a ,  in print or electronic format, is a summary of the highlights of a topic, written more summary of the highlights of a topic, written more as a review than of an instructional work.  It is as a review than of an instructional work.  It is usually the product of many experts who write usually the product of many experts who write chapters about their specialized fields.  They are chapters about their specialized fields.  They are particular useful for providing tabular data and are particular useful for providing tabular data and are helpful in finding diverse, hard-to-find data which helpful in finding diverse, hard-to-find data which does not become outdated quickly. does not become outdated quickly. 

Examples of HandbooksExamples of Handbooks

Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations Standard Handbook of Environmental Standard Handbook of Environmental

Engineering Engineering Handbook of Environmental Engineering Handbook of Environmental Engineering

Calculations Calculations

EncyclopediasEncyclopedias

Encyclopedias introduce researchers to specialize Encyclopedias introduce researchers to specialize fields of study.    They may not be familiar with fields of study.    They may not be familiar with encyclopedias in civil and environmental encyclopedias in civil and environmental engineering such as: engineering such as:

Encyclopedia of building and construction terms Encyclopedia of building and construction terms Encyclopedia of environmental science and Encyclopedia of environmental science and

engineering engineering

Encyclopedia of the environmentEncyclopedia of the environment

Is Wikipedia Reliable?Is Wikipedia Reliable?

Can it be trusted as a source of science and Can it be trusted as a source of science and engineering information?engineering information?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Advantages and Disadvantages of the Wikipediathe Wikipedia

Advantages:Advantages: Good for obtaining Good for obtaining

background knowledge on background knowledge on a topica topic

Articles can be revised Articles can be revised and edited quickly. and edited quickly. Information about recent Information about recent events will appear thereevents will appear there

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: Does not undergo the peer Does not undergo the peer

review processreview process Anyone can write or edit Anyone can write or edit

an article anonymouslyan article anonymously Suggestion: Do not cite it Suggestion: Do not cite it

in your bibliographyin your bibliography

Flow of Scientific InformationFlow of Scientific Information

Flow of Scientific InformationFlow of Scientific Information Scientists and engineers conceive ideas and perform experiments in Scientists and engineers conceive ideas and perform experiments in

the laboratory.  They want to make the results of their research public.  the laboratory.  They want to make the results of their research public.  They will write a manuscript documenting their research results and They will write a manuscript documenting their research results and submit to the editor of an appropriate journal for publication. The editor submit to the editor of an appropriate journal for publication. The editor will refer the manuscript to an authority in the field who will review it will refer the manuscript to an authority in the field who will review it and accept or deny it for publication. They may also present their and accept or deny it for publication. They may also present their findings at a professional conference. findings at a professional conference.

The published information flows from the top of the chart to the The published information flows from the top of the chart to the bottom.  Students needing information must start their research at the bottom.  Students needing information must start their research at the bottom of the chart.  Tertiary literature such as handbooks, bottom of the chart.  Tertiary literature such as handbooks, encyclopedias, and textbooks must be consulted first.  If the desired encyclopedias, and textbooks must be consulted first.  If the desired information is not found there, the researcher must try to find information is not found there, the researcher must try to find information in reviews, journals and conference proceedings.  Such information in reviews, journals and conference proceedings.  Such publications are indexed in subject specific databases. publications are indexed in subject specific databases.

Types of DatabasesTypes of Databases

Bibliographic - includes the elements needed to identify the Bibliographic - includes the elements needed to identify the document document – Author(s) Author(s) – Title Title – Journal, Year, Volume, Issue Number, Pages Journal, Year, Volume, Issue Number, Pages

Most bibliographic databases include an Most bibliographic databases include an abstractabstract - a one - a one paragraph summary of the article to help the researcher paragraph summary of the article to help the researcher decide if it is relevant to the research question decide if it is relevant to the research question

Full-Text - includes the entire article in electronic format Full-Text - includes the entire article in electronic format Numeric (Data Compilation) - includes only specific data Numeric (Data Compilation) - includes only specific data

elements such as thermodynamic or spectral data elements such as thermodynamic or spectral data

History of Database FormatsHistory of Database Formats

Print - Very cumbersome and difficult to use Print - Very cumbersome and difficult to use

Online (1970s to the present) - Pay as you go.  Cost is Online (1970s to the present) - Pay as you go.  Cost is based on amount of information retrieved based on amount of information retrieved

CD-ROM (1980s to the present) - Only so much CD-ROM (1980s to the present) - Only so much information can fit on one disk information can fit on one disk

World Wide Web (1990s to the present) Allows for remote World Wide Web (1990s to the present) Allows for remote access access

Limitations of DatabasesLimitations of Databases

Subject coverage Subject coverage Dates of Publication Dates of Publication Types of Publication (i.e. journals only, Types of Publication (i.e. journals only,

patents only) patents only) Not all databases provide full-text of the Not all databases provide full-text of the

retrieved documents or links to themretrieved documents or links to them

Subject Databases (Search Engines) Subject Databases (Search Engines) for Civil Engineersfor Civil Engineers

ScopusScopus Scifinder Scholar (Chemistry Related)Scifinder Scholar (Chemistry Related) Business Source Premier (trade magazines)Business Source Premier (trade magazines) American Society of Civil EngineersAmerican Society of Civil Engineers Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency

ScopusScopus

ScopusScopus is a multidisciplinary database that contains records is a multidisciplinary database that contains records going back to the mid 1960s, offering newly-linked citations going back to the mid 1960s, offering newly-linked citations across the widest body of scientific abstracts available in one across the widest body of scientific abstracts available in one place. place.

Designed and developed with researchers and librarians, Designed and developed with researchers and librarians, Scopus is the easy way to get expert results. It offers Scopus is the easy way to get expert results. It offers superior support of the literature research process. superior support of the literature research process. Integrated web search plus seamless linking to full-text Integrated web search plus seamless linking to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.and comprehensive.

It is always advisable to search more than one database It is always advisable to search more than one database when an exhaustive search is needed since coverage of when an exhaustive search is needed since coverage of databases differdatabases differ

Scifinder ScholarScifinder Scholar

Electronic Version of Electronic Version of Chemical Abstracts Chemical Abstracts (1907 to (1907 to the present) the present)

It contains many links to full-text articles It contains many links to full-text articles Searchable by chemical substance, reaction, Searchable by chemical substance, reaction,

research topic, author or affiliation research topic, author or affiliation It is accessible from a web site. Users must It is accessible from a web site. Users must

register to use it register to use it

Scifinder ScholarScifinder Scholar There is a link in the database for every article.  When you click on that There is a link in the database for every article.  When you click on that

icon you can determine if the document is available in print or icon you can determine if the document is available in print or electronically at NJITelectronically at NJIT

Only two people at NJIT may search Scifinder Scholar at a time.  Only two people at NJIT may search Scifinder Scholar at a time. 

Please minimize time you are using it by: Please minimize time you are using it by: Evaluating your answer set while you are off line Evaluating your answer set while you are off line

– Using the database during off-peak hours.  It is available almost 24 hours a Using the database during off-peak hours.  It is available almost 24 hours a day/7 days a week day/7 days a week

– Waiting at least 10 minutes before attempting to login again. Waiting at least 10 minutes before attempting to login again. – Trying others databases such as Scopus and Science Direct for technical Trying others databases such as Scopus and Science Direct for technical

searches searches

Several how-to guides are available at Several how-to guides are available at http://http://www.cas.org/support/academic/sf/htg/index.htmlwww.cas.org/support/academic/sf/htg/index.html

Publisher Databases at NJITPublisher Databases at NJITWith Civil Engineering ContentWith Civil Engineering Content

American Chemical Society Journals American Chemical Society Journals American Institute of Physics American Institute of Physics American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers IEEE/IEL Electronic Library IEEE/IEL Electronic Library Institute of Physics Institute of Physics Science Direct Science Direct (Elsevier) (Elsevier) SIAM Journals Online SIAM Journals Online (Society for Industrial and Applied (Society for Industrial and Applied

Mathematics) Mathematics) SpringerSpringer Wiley Journals Online Wiley Journals Online

American Society of Civil EngineersAmerican Society of Civil EngineersJournalsJournals

Journal of Bridge Engineering Journal of Bridge Engineering Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering Journal of Energy Engineering Journal of Energy Engineering Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal of Geotechnical and Journal of Geotechnical and GeoenvironmentalGeoenvironmental

Engineering Engineering Journal of Hydrologic Engineering Journal of Hydrologic Engineering Journal of Structural Engineering Journal of Structural Engineering

Science Direct JournalsScience Direct Journals

Cement and Concrete Composites Cement and Concrete Composites Engineering Analysis with Boundary ElemenEngineering Analysis with Boundary Elemen

ts ts International Journal of Fatigue International Journal of Fatigue Environmental Pollution Environmental Pollution Global and Planetary Change Global and Planetary Change

Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency((http://http://www.epa.govwww.epa.gov))

Laws and RegulationsLaws and Regulations Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues Environmental Test Methods and GuidelinesEnvironmental Test Methods and Guidelines Chemicals: Scientific Review and Chemicals: Scientific Review and

AssessmentAssessment

NJIT Library Home PageNJIT Library Home Pagehttp://library.njit.eduhttp://library.njit.edu

Catalog (Voyager) Catalog (Voyager) – Database of the print holdings of NJIT Library Database of the print holdings of NJIT Library

Databases Databases Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Form Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Form Library Information Library Information

Voyager, the NJIT Library CatalogVoyager, the NJIT Library Catalog

Books Books Journals (print) Journals (print) Technical Reports Technical Reports Conference Proceedings Conference Proceedings Theses and Dissertations (by NJIT Theses and Dissertations (by NJIT

students) students)

Selected List of Resources in Civil Selected List of Resources in Civil and Environmental Engineeringand Environmental Engineering

http://http://researchguides.njit.eduresearchguides.njit.edu/civil/civil

Evaluating Web SitesEvaluating Web Sites

Please see Please see http://library.njit.edu/researchhelpdesk/howthttp://library.njit.edu/researchhelpdesk/howto/evaluate.phpo/evaluate.php

You may use web sites in this assignment, You may use web sites in this assignment, but please make sure they are reliablebut please make sure they are reliable

Availability of JournalsAvailability of Journals

Print only Print only Electronic Only Electronic Only Print and Electronic Print and Electronic

– Dates of electronic availability varyDates of electronic availability vary– Check Check Serials Solutions Database Serials Solutions Database

Open Access JournalsOpen Access Journals Not available at NJIT - order through Not available at NJIT - order through

interlibrary loaninterlibrary loan

Boolean LogicBoolean LogicANDAND

The Boolean The Boolean ANDAND narrows your search by narrows your search by retrieving only documents that contain every one retrieving only documents that contain every one of the keywords that you enter.  The more terms of the keywords that you enter.  The more terms you enter, the narrower your search becomes. you enter, the narrower your search becomes.      EXAMPLE: air pollution      EXAMPLE: air pollution ANDAND benzene benzene      EXAMPLE: water pollution      EXAMPLE: water pollution ANDAND benzene benzene ANDAND New JerseyNew Jersey

Boolean LogicBoolean LogicOROR

The Boolean The Boolean OROR expands your search by expands your search by returning documents in which either or both returning documents in which either or both keywords appear.  The more keywords you keywords appear.  The more keywords you enter, the more documents you retrieve. enter, the more documents you retrieve.    EXAMPLE: ozone    EXAMPLE: ozone OROR smog smog    EXAMPLE: ozone    EXAMPLE: ozone OROR smog smog OROR particulates particulates

Boolean LogicBoolean LogicNOTNOT

The Boolean The Boolean NOTNOT limits your search by limits your search by returning only the first keyword but not the returning only the first keyword but not the second, even if the first word appears in that second, even if the first word appears in that document, too document, too    EXAMPLE air pollution    EXAMPLE air pollution NOTNOT ozone ozone    EXAMPLE water pollution    EXAMPLE water pollution NOTNOT chloroform chloroform

Devising Optimal Search StrategiesDevising Optimal Search Strategies

Choose the proper database(s) Choose the proper database(s) – Be aware of the scope and limitations Be aware of the scope and limitations

Use all relevant search terms and appropriate Use all relevant search terms and appropriate Boolean logic Boolean logic – Think of concepts not wordsThink of concepts not words

Devise a search strategy for: Devise a search strategy for: – Precise search Precise search

Expand strategy if too few are found Expand strategy if too few are found

– Exhaustive search Exhaustive search Cut down if too many citations are retrieved Cut down if too many citations are retrieved

Is Your Answer Reasonable?Is Your Answer Reasonable?

If not, what can you do differently? If not, what can you do differently? Keep in mind that the thought processes involved Keep in mind that the thought processes involved

in applying the scientific method to laboratory in applying the scientific method to laboratory experiments apply in the search for technical experiments apply in the search for technical information information

Ask for help Ask for help Library Reference desk in person or at 973-596-Library Reference desk in person or at 973-596-

3210 3210 Bruce Slutsky, Technical Reference Librarian, at Bruce Slutsky, Technical Reference Librarian, at

Bruce.Slutsky@njit.eduBruce.Slutsky@njit.edu or 973-642-4950 or 973-642-4950

Cited Your Sources CorrectlyCited Your Sources Correctly

APA Style Guide (American Psychological APA Style Guide (American Psychological Association) is recommendedAssociation) is recommended– See guide from See guide from Purdue UniversityPurdue University

NoodleBib Express – generates citations for you in NoodleBib Express – generates citations for you in APA or MLA formatAPA or MLA format

EndNote – a program that generates EndNote – a program that generates bibliographiesbibliographies

Scopus and Ebscohost databases – can output Scopus and Ebscohost databases – can output your bibliography in the format of choiceyour bibliography in the format of choice

Interlibrary LoanInterlibrary Loan

If you need an article or book not owned by If you need an article or book not owned by NJIT, you may submit a form to request the NJIT, you may submit a form to request the item(s) you need.item(s) you need.

Please check to see if the information is Please check to see if the information is complete.complete.

Incomplete information will delay the receipt Incomplete information will delay the receipt of the materials you needof the materials you need

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