Engineering *: Research

Research

Databases house academic journal articles, conference proceedings, as well as standards, technical reports, and sometimes popular articles from trade magazines. Here is a list of popular engineering databases:

Here is a list of more general science and engineering databases:

While there are print materials available via the USC Libraries, we have a robust ebook collection. Search these collections for engineering ebooks:

Engineering Standards are documents that establish uniform technical specifications for the products, systems, and processes that the standard covers. The purpose is to ensure minimum performance, safety, consistency, and compatibility. International standards are becoming more commonly used and are overseen by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Search these collections for standards:

Standards Granting Institutions

  • ACI:  American Concrete Institute (ACI)
  • AIAA:  American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (ALAA)
  • AIA and NAS:  Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and National Aerospace Standards (NAS)
  • ANSI:  American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  • API: American Petroleum Institute
  • ASABE:  American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
  • ASCE:  American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  • ASHRAE:  American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
  • AASHTO:  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO)
  • ASME:  American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • ASQ:  American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  • ASTM:  formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • AWS:  American Welding Society (AWS)
  • BIFMA:  Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA)
  • BSI:  British Standards Institution
  • CENELEC: European Committee for Electrotechincal Standardization
  • CGSB:  Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
  • CSA: Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  • DOE-TSP:  U.S. Department of Energy Technical Standards Program (DOE-TSP)
  • ICC:  International Code Council (ICC)
  • IEC:  International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
  • IEEE-SA:  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE-SA)
  • ETSI:  European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
  • ISO:  International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  • ITU:  International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
  • LIA:  Laser Institute of America in conjunction (LIA)
  • NACE:  National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
  • NEMA:  National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
  • NFPA:  National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  • NISO:  National Information Standards Organization (NISO)
  • NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce (NIST)
  • NTSP:  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Technical Standards Program (NTSP)
  • OSHA:  U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
  • SAE International: Society of Automotive Engineers International
  • TAPPI:  Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)
  • TIA:  Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
  • UL:  Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

Technical reports describe the progress or results of scientific or technical research and development. They serve as a report of accountability to the funding organizations, usually the federal government or private industry.

Search these collections for technical reports:

Preprints are papers that precedes the formal peer review process. It is growing increasingly common in the STEM disciplines because it supports making scientific information available and accessible (also known as Open Science).

Search these collections for preprints:

Patents are a form of intellectual property that grants rights to the owner.

Trademarks are another type of intellectual property; it is a recognizable sign, design, or expression that denotes a specific prodcut.

The USC Libraries has a research guide to understand more about patents and trademarks.

Popular titles are intended for general readership on a particular subject and are not peer reviewed or scholarly. Though, they can provide news on emerging trends and topics for further research.