These search tools, also known as databases, will help you find peer-reviewed journal articles, an essential resource for assignments. Visit our Articles guide for detailed instructions.
Searchable and browsable collection of full image articles published in American Society of Civil Engineers journals, covering all aspects of civil engineering, including planning, construction management, environment, transportation, and waterways.
The default search goes to the index for ALL content from ASCE, not just what we pay for. If you are asked to login or register for access, this means that we do not have access to that particular book, conference proceedings or standard. You can request these materials through interlibrary loan.
Our subscription to the publications of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is partial. We subscribe to 24 of their current publications from 2000-present.
American Society for Metals Handbooks contains a comprehensive source of information on ferrous and non-ferrous metals and materials technology with articles, illustrations, tables, graphs, specifications, and practical examples.
The ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library (SEDL) includes all 13,000 ASTM standards, as well as Manuals, Monographs, Data Series, STPs (Special Technical Publications) and 8 Journals.
A premier database for research in electrical engineering, electronics, computer science & related disciplines; IEEE Xplore includes access to over 5 million full-text documents such as journals, magazines, conferences, and standards.
Search topics related to business that includes journal articles, company reports, industry/country reports, ebooks, videos, case studies, and more.
Covers a broad range of disciplines such as agriculture, biology & genetics, arts & humanities, biochemistry, business, chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, earth & planetary sciences, economics, environmental science, mathematics, medicine & dentistry, physics & astronomy, social sciences, and veterinary science & medicine.
Provides researchers with access to scientific documents from journals of various disciplines.
Provides access to the world's broadest and deepest multidisciplinary collection of online resources covering life, health and physical sciences, social science, and the humanities.
Scholarly Publications | Substantive/Trade Publications | Popular Publications | Sensationalist Publications | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Audience | Academics, professors, students. | Educated audiences, practitioners. | General public. | Gullible audiences. |
Author | Scholars, experts, and specialists; credentials are listed. | Credentialed journalists; professionals and industry experts; credentials are usually listed. | Professional writers: journalists, staff, freelance writers; not necessarily experts in the field; authors and/or credentials not always listed. | Anyone. |
Publisher | Academic presses and professional organizations. | Nationally and internationally recognized organizations. | Commercial businesses. | Varies. Ranges from individuals to politically-minded groups to hate groups. |
Purpose | Report on scholarship and research. | Share news and trends with industry professionals. | Information and/or entertainment. | Cater to superstitions; elicit emotions and strong feelings for or against a particular topic. |
Tone | Factual, technical, and scholarly language. | Formal, technical language. Often uses industry jargon. | Relatively simple language. | Sensational terms. Propaganda. Often uses inflammatory or derogatory language. |
Appearance | Usually plain. May have tables, graphs, charts, and formulas. If photographs are present, they are directly associated with the topic. | Tables, charts, graphs, and images related to the article. More graphic design elements than scholarly publications. | Eye-catching and colorful. | Eye-catching and colorful; sometimes newspaper-like. Often only available online. |
Advertisements | Limited to advertisements for books and journals. | Most often limited to advertisements for items directly related to the publication or trade; some paid advertisements. | Paid advertisements. | Paid advertisements, often making their own sensationalist claims. Clickbait. |
Review Process | Reviewed by scholars. All data and interpretations of data are checked. | Reviewed by professional editors employed by the publication. Facts are checked. | Reviewed by professional editors employed by the publication. Facts might be checked. | No apparent or consistent review process. |
Sources | Always contains a bibliography, works cited, or references. | Often contains in-text citations. May contain references list. | Rarely identifies sources. | Rarely identifies sources. If sources are listed, they may not actually be reliable sources of information. |
Examples | Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Construction and Building Materials, International Journal of Construction Management | Engineering News Record (ENR); Professional Builder; Government reports and datasets. | Field and Stream, Sports Illustrated; Time; Newsweek | Globe; National Enquirer; Star; Weekly World News |