Systems and Computer Engineering

This guide is meant for self service. If at any time during the research process, should you feel the need for research support, then email me. We will arrange a convenient time to get together on Zoom, and other platforms.

Search

The research process

  1. Get background information from handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries
  1. Once your topic is narrowly defined, select databases to find specific articles that have been published in journals
  1. Look for films and images as non-literary forms of representation 
  1. Find books on your topic to gain greater depth and understanding
  1. Write down or store all the references you have consulted to include them in the bibliography of your research paper

Search tips

  1. Begin by defining exactly what you are searching for
  1. Be specific when determining keywords: synonyms/antonyms and terms to search
  1. Use the advanced interface of electronic databases and Internet search engines to help narrow your search
  • Limit results in electronic databases to full-text or peer reviewed journals only
  1. Use Boolean Operators to connect search terms by understanding how search engines operate
  1. Take notes during your research to keep track of where you have been, keywords searched, what worked and what didn't, etc.

Sources​ of information

Publication Cycle: to find primary and secondary sources of information, use tertiary sources of information: dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks. When a researcher publishes material, they follow the cycle clockwise. To find primary and secondary sources, follow the cycle anti clockwise.

Library search

OMNI: the Carleton University Library search portal. Please see Help With Using Omni

Subject headings

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) use controlled vocabulary to access and express the subject content of documents. Computer systems engineering has largely been divided into the following subjects or research areas. â€‹This is a searchable index. Click on a link below to discover the Library's holdings in this area:

  • Add keywords
  • Use the filters on the left of the resulting screen
  • Typical filters are Available Online and Peer Reviewed Journals
  1. Algorithms
  2. Analysis
  3. Applied sciences
  4. Artificial intelligence
  5. Circuits and systems
  6. Computer communication networks
  7. Computer engineering
  8. Computer engineering--Computer hardware
  9. Computer science
  10. Electrical computer engineering
  11. Electrical engineering
  12. Electronic and computer engineering
  13. Electronics
  14. Engineering
  15. Engineering--Applied sciences
  16. Engineering--Electrical and electronic
  17. Physical sciences
  18. Physics
  19. Reliability engineering
  20. Science and technology
  21. Studies
  22. Systems engineering
  23. Systems engineering and theory
  24. Technology
  25. Telecommunication
  26. Telecommunications
  27. Video/film

Databases & books

  1. Business Source Complete: Business Source Complete is a scholarly business database.  It provides full-text access as well as indexing and abstracting for journals dating back as far as 1886.  PEER REVIEWED
  2. Dissertations and Theses Global: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global is a comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses from around the world, spanning from 1743 to the present. PQDT Global includes theses from Great Britain and Ireland.
  3. Lecture Notes in Computer Science: A collection of books, reporting new developments in all areas of computer science and information technology
  4. SAGE Knowledge Encyclopedias: Carleton subscribes to the 2011 Encyclopedia Collection which provides perpetual access to 27 encyclopedias in the social sciences published between 2005-2011, as well as some other encyclopedias which have been ordered individually. Browse by Content Type: "Encyclopedias" and/or "Handbooks".
  5. SAGE Research Methods: With information on the full range of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods for the social and behavioral sciences, as well as methods commonly used in the hard sciences, the book, reference, and journal content in SAGE Research Methods helps researchers of all levels conduct their research.
  • Cases: Cases are peer-reviewed and come with pedagogical tools including learning objectives and discussions questions
  • Datasets: Datasets is a collection of teaching datasets and instructional guides that give students a chance to learn data analysis by practicing themselves
  • Video: Video contains more than 125 hours of video, including tutorials, case study videos, expert interviews, and more, covering the entire research methods and statistics curriculum
  1. Science.gov: Science.gov is a gateway to government science information and research results.

Supplementary

  1. The SAGE handbook of applied social research methods Bickman, Leonard, 1941- editor.; Rog, Debra J., editor.; Best, Samuel J., contributor. 2009 [electronic resource]
  2. How to Read a Book, v5.0 School of Information University of Michigan
  3. How to Read a Paragraph: The Art of Close Reading
  4. How to Read (and Understand) a Social Science Journal Article: Tips and tricks to make reading and understanding social science journal articles easier
  5. How to Read for Grad School Miriam E. Sweeney
  6. READ LIKE A GRADUATE STUDENT, NOT A MYSTERY FAN William Doane

Minecraft (Education Edition) is free for Carleton students

Just download the installer from the link below (for Windows 10): https://education.minecraft.net/get-started/alternative-download/

After install, launch the game and log in using your Carleton email address (cmail) and password then you're good to go. 

Content last reviewed: February 3, 2021

Contact

Robert Smith
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Subject Specialist
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