Introduction to Professional Engineering  Tags: undergrad engineering finding_info science_library searching journals journal_articles  

Why use the Library for the Engineers without Borders Challenge 2009?

You've been asked to develop a design project based on "living on the water" in Cambodia. As well as your technical solution for sustainable community development, there are other issues that you will need to consider:

• ethics
• health and safety
• economics
• impact on the community, etc...

This will involve background reading and research about the community, engineering design concepts and considerations and sustainable development, amongst other areas.

The Library can help you throughout the research process in a number of ways:

1. Exploring your Topic

Use the library resources (such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc) to find definitions and background information on your topic.

2. Developing a Search Strategy

How are you going to approach the topic? How will you search for information?

3. Finding Books & Journals

Use the library catalogue to find books and journals relevant to your topic.

4. Searching the Web

Searching the internet to locate quality information.

5. Finding Special Resources

How to locate resources such as patents, standards, maps and statistics.

6. Keeping track of your sources and Referencing

Use referencing correctly to manage and cite your sources. Some tips on avoiding plagiarism.

Clockwise from top left:

Floating school by Jeb Ro (license), Just a Bit of Child Labour by Augapfel (license), Tonle Sap: The Flowing Heart of Cambodia by lecercle (license), Kids who live on the water by hatter10_6 (license), Tonle Sap: The Flowing Heart of Cambodia by lecercle (license), Houseboats by Infidelic (license)