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ASU101: Fulton Schools of Engineering

Introduction to the ASU Library resources, services and spaces for engineering students

Why Would an Engineer Need to Find Information?

 

  • Write a report or paper
     
  • Learn how a device works
     
  • Find a formula or analytical method
     
  • Conduct a design exercise
     
  • Find products or components
     
  • Find material properties

 

Your instructor may provide additional examples of how information is used in your field.

Why Use the Library When I Can Use Google?

  • The library has the authoritative sources you’ll be using as a professional engineer.
     
  • Most authoritative sources are not freely available on the Internet.
     
  • And most importantly, using authoritative resources will help you with your class assignments and projects.

What Makes a Source Authoritative?

  • Author Credentials
    The author is knowledgeable in the field of engineering. 
    • Holds engineering degree(s)
    • Employed by a university, college or reputable organization
    • Received awards or acknowledgements
    • Holds/held positions with professional societies

  • Audience
    The author writes to inform other engineers or engineering scholars (rather than a general audience or consumers)

  • Content 
    The material is well written and coherent; research has been conducted within the field's acceptable standards. 

  • Bibliography
    The author shows s/he has researched the topic by presenting a bibliography (list of references) on the topic from other authoritative engineering sources.
     
  • Publisher
    Whether commerical or professional society, fee-based or open access, the publisher is recognized and well-respected within the engineering community.

Exercise: Parking Guidance Systems

Compare these references.   Which ones would be good:  

  • As scholarly references for a paper on automated parallel parking systems,
  • For entrepeneurs looking for commerical viability, 
  • For consumers wanting to know about new car features?

Why or Why Not?

 

References 

  1. Jeong, S.H., Choi, C.G., Oh, J.N., Yoon, P.J., Kim, B.S., Kim, M., and Lee, K.H. (2010)  Low cost design of parallel parking assist system based on an ultrasonic sensor.  International Journal of Automotive Technology  11(3):409-416.
     
  2. Toyota unveils car that parks itself. CNN September 1, 2003.
     
  3. Alex. (January 3, 2013)  How intelligent parking assist systems work.  My Parking Sign.
     
  4. Zhao, Y. and Collins, E.G. Jr. (2005)  Robust automatic parallel parking in tight spaces via fuzzy logic.  Robotics and Autonomous Systems 51(2-3):111-127.
        
  5. Gill, B. (March 28, 2014) Lexus LS: 25 Years.  Lexus News 

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.