This document provides an introduction to research resources for civil engineering students at the Library Resource Centre. It outlines how to perform searches using relevant keywords and subject terms, find different resource types like journals, newspapers and websites, and properly cite sources using the IEEE citation style. Students are encouraged to use the discovery search tool on the LRC website as a starting point and consult subject guides for additional databases. The presentation emphasizes the importance of balanced research across various source types and revising searches using different terms to refine results. Help is available at the LRC service desk, by email, phone or instant messaging.

1. Introduction to Research for
Civil Engineering
Using the Library Resource Centre
Melanie Parlette, BA, MLIS
Program Liaison
January 2013

2. I AM . . .
Melanie Parlette
LRC Program Liaison
School of Engineering and Information Technology
Email:mparlette@conestogac.on.ca
Twitter: @ConestogaLib_MP

3. TODAY we will :
1. Improve your search skills through “pre-searching” and
“re-searching” to refine keyword strategies
2. Locate various types of resources to balance your research
with high quality information from the LRC’s collections
3. Produce IEEE style endnote citations of resources you find
4. Understand how to use RefWorks and Referencing tools to
reference Journal Articles and websites
5. Locate resources to search for Newspaper articles

4. Off-Campus Access Visit the LRC to
PIN NUMBERS - You can use your PIN to: get your PIN.
• Access resources from Off-Campus Don’t forget to bring
• Renew a book, place a hold your student card
• Review your account with the 2013 sticker
on it!

5. Today’s Research Topic is….
What environmental risks are
involved with petroleum
pipelines?

6. Pre-Searching:
Thinking About Your Search
• What are the keywords or phrases in the
question that you would use in your search?
• Also think of synonyms and related terms….

7. Pre-Searching:
Petroleum Pipelines Risks
Related Terms or Synonyms (words that Related Terms or Synonyms (words that
mean the same as the first term, above) mean the same as the first term, above)

8. Let’s Research :
 LRC Discover Tool
petroleum pipelines and risks
http://www.conestogac.on.ca/lrc/

9. Let’s Re/search:
Don’t forget to
Re/Search:
 Full Text
 Date
 Source Type
 Subject

10. Let’s Re/search:
Don’t forget to try using
other “PRE-
SEARCHING” terms:
Ex: Pipeline design and
construction and risk
assessment and Keystone XL . . . and again:
don’t forget to
Re/Search:
 Full Text
 Date
 Source Type
 Subject

11. Citing our Sources
It's important to cite sources you used in your research for several
reasons:
 To show your reader you've done proper research by listing
sources you used to get your information
 To be a responsible scholar by giving credit to other
researchers and acknowledging their ideas
 To avoid plagiarism by quoting words and ideas used by
other authors
 To allow your reader to track down the sources you used by
citing them accurately in your paper by way of footnotes, a
bibliography or reference list

12. Let’s Cite our Sources:

13. Sign up for a New Account

14. Refworks & IEEE

15. Importing to RefWorks
1. Export database direct to RefWorks
2. Sign in to RefWorks if not already logged in
3. View last imported folder
4. *New Folder “Name your folder”
5. Check new reference
6. Add to new folder

16. Balanced Research
 Effective research taps into a variety of sources
Encyclopedias
Websites Books
Newspapers Scholarly
(these can be ONLINE
Journals, Prof
– on a website or in a essional
database) Magazines

17. Need more sources?
Explore the “Civil
Engineering” Research Help
Guide to discover Databases
focused on Civil Engineering.
 These database have:
 Advanced Search Tools
 Subject Specific Material
http://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/civileng

18. Finding News Articles

19. What about websites?
 Visit www.cgs.ca
 Click Resource
Centre
Select a page on
this website and
complete the
fields needed.

20. Creating a Works Cited
• Click “Create a bibliography”
• Select Output style manager
• Select “IEEE Communication Magazine”
(found under Conestoga College Specific) as
Output Style
• File Type “Word for Windows”
• References to include “Folder Name”

21. Let’s Cite our Sources:
Don’t forget to check
the style guides to
make sure your
citation is correct
(sometimes there are
mistakes!)

22. Summary
Researching using the LRC
 Use Discovery Search first
 www.conestogac.on.ca/lrc
 After that, try a relevant Research Help guide for links to even more
resources to search
 http://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/civileng
 Use the “Cite” feature in each database
 Remember no “citation generator’ is ever perfect
 Check it manually using the Writing Centre’s resources for IEEE.
 www.conestogac.on.ca/learningcommons/resources/writing.jsp

23. HELP AT THE A1109
LIBRARY
 Visit the Service Desk
 Email or Phone
 Instant Messaging