Research Help
AskAway Online Chat
Research Skills for Engineering Students
- Research Skills For Engineering StudentsThis tutorial consists of 2-5 minute video modules. It covers:
1) Brainstorming concepts & keywords for a search
2) Differentiating between & evaluating information
3) Google & Google Scholar
4) UBC Summon
5) Finding technical & scholarly information using academic databases
6) Standards & patents: What they are & how to find them
7) When & how to cite your sources
Key Resources
For a specific article title you are looking for, Summon is a good place to start. Summon lets you simultaneously search the Library's book collection and many full text journal articles.
If you're searching for articles on a topic, you'll probably want to search a database which is more focused on biomedical engineering than Summon. Here are some starting points for finding engineering journal articles or conference proceedings. Look for the UBC eLink icons to check for full text articles.
- PubMed (1946 - present) This link opens in a new windowPremier database containing with a focus on biomedicine. Freely available and includes MEDLINE. This link goes to the version wiht UBC eLink.
For help searching PubMed, refer to the guide: https://guides.library.ubc.ca/pubmed - Compendex Engineering Village This link opens in a new windowPremier engineering database, covering the core literature of the engineering field, including related specialties and technologies.
- Scopus This link opens in a new windowSearch citations and abstracts for journal articles, conference proceedings, and other resources in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Can also be used for cited reference searches, citation analysis of research and searching by affiliation.
- Web of Science Core Collection This link opens in a new windowMultidisciplinary database of journal articles and conference proceedings, used for citation analysis of research. Includes access to EndNote Basic, a web-based version of EndNote.
Anatomy TV
In addition to article databases, UBC has reference databases like Anatomy TV
Anatomy TV is a three-dimensional interactive anatomy resource that includes over 6500 models of human anatomy. These models focus on individual organs, regions of the body, or anatomical systems. The 3D images can be peeled away in layers and anatomical models can be rotated 360 degrees to demonstrate the interaction of nerves, muscles, ligaments, and bones. Built-in self-assessment quizzes are also included. Images and clips can be used in online courses.
Related Guides
Systematic and Scoping Reviews
Systematic and Scoping Reviews Search Methodology
To arrange for a systematic review consultation, please complete this Evidence Synthesis Consult Form.
What is a Systematic Review?
"A systematic review attempts to identify, appraise and synthesize all the empirical evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a given research question. Researchers conducting systematic reviews use explicit methods aimed at minimizing bias, in order to produce more reliable findings that can be used to inform decision making." Source: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
Key characteristics of a systematic review are:
- a clearly defined question
- an explicit, reproducible methodology with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies
- a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies that would meet the eligibility criteria;
- an assessment of the validity of the findings of the included studies, for example through the assessment of risk of bias; and
- a systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies, which includes the search methodology.