The Information Landscape at Carnegie Mellon An Introduction Aimed at Fostering Successful Independent Research

Systematic Approach – Saving Time and Maximizing Results Let’s use an example to help realize what the libraries have to offer to make your efforts more efficient and to achieve better results –Quality –Rapid Retrieval/Request –Ability for Continuous Monitoring –Better Post-Searching Control of Information

Our Example: Tensegrity First things first –Background material can help you in later steps of the research process –Specialized encyclopedia’s and dictionaries exist for quickly brushing up on topics –More importantly, they can remind you of helpful terminology to use in your search

For the Uninitiated Can we define it, get some basic background info on it … –Without leaving our computer? –xreferplus –Knovel –Grove Art Online –Brittanica Online –Wikipedia

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Where to find WorldCat

A Strategy for Searching Concept One –tensegrity –tensegric –“tensional integrity” –“continuous tension” AND “discontinuous compression” Concept Two –math –mathematics –mathematical models –analysis? –analytical? –computer?

An Attempt to Broaden Our Search tensegrity OR tensegric OR tensional integrity math OR mathematics OR mathematical model(s) OR … analysis …

Some databases of interest: MathSciNet EI Compendex Web of Science PubMed

Ready for me or anyone to use…

Thank You! Matt Marsteller Physics and Math Librarian Senior Librarian Engineering and Science Library 4400 Wean Hall Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Phone: AOL IM Screen name: physmathlibr Yahoo! Messenger Screen name: physmathlibr