My Undergraduate Research (Physical Sciences & Engineering)
Liaison Librarian
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- McGill users only
- Open access resource
- Free resource
- In-library-use only
- Catalogue record
Upcoming My Undergraduate Research seminar series
- Register for Module 1: Introduction to research
- Register for Module 2: Refine your research strategy
- Register for Module 3: Manage your search results and select what to cite
Introduction to research
Finding books and other sources of background information
- Search WorldCat, the Classic catalogue, or the eBooks sub-catalogue
- IEEExplore Digital Library
(physical sciences and engineering e-books) - Knovel
(physical sciences and engineering e-books) - Oxford Reference Online
(multidisciplinary dictionaries and encyclopedias) - Safari Tech Books Online
(computer science e-books) - SpringerLink
(multidisciplinary e-books) - Explore the eBooks and Media page for more e-book collections
Finding articles
Multidisciplinary databases
Physical science & engineering databases
- Compendex
(engineering) - Environmental Science and Pollution Management
(environmental sciences) - GeoRef
(geosciences, including EPSC, mining, and physical geography) - Inspec
(computer science, electrical engineering, and physics) - Materials Research Database
(materials engineering) - MathSciNet
(mathematics and statistics) - SciFinder
(chemistry)
Subject guides are a great place to find a complete list of subject-specific databases.
Find out about accessing the Library's online resources from on and off campus.
Material not available at McGill
You may order material using COLOMBO (interlibrary loan), or suggest a purchase. We may be able to buy a copy for the Library.
Refine your research strategy
| Boolean operator | AND | e.g. petroleum AND processing will retrieve articles containing both words, petroleum AND processing in the title or abstract; this will decrease your search results |
|---|---|---|
| Boolean operator | OR | e.g. petroleum OR oil will retrieve articles with either petroleum OR oil in the title or abstract; this will increase your search results |
| Phrase searching | “___” | e.g. "crude oil" will retrieve records containing the phrase crude oil |
| Truncation | */? | e.g. process* will retrieve references containing the words process, processes, processing, etc. |
Manage your search results and select what to cite
Citing Materials
- EndNote citation management software
- A Guide to Using EndNote (handout)
- How to cite using different types of citation styles
- McGill Library's page on Academic integrity
- Keeping it Honest, McGill's website on academic integrity, with a quiz where you can test your knowledge
Reading Journal Articles
- How to Read a Scientific Paper (Quick tutorial from Purdue University)
- Checklist for Reading and Thinking Critically about Research Articles (handout)
Also check out McGill Library's Five steps to a better paper for tips on researching and writing.
Workshop materials
Handouts
- Research Toolkit (Module 1)
- Review of Search Tips (Module 2)
- A Guide to Using EndNote (Module 3)
- Checklist for Reading and Thinking Critically about Research Articles (Module 3)
Feedback?
If you have any comments about the Library or suggestions of how we could do things better, please let us know.
If you have any comments about the Library or suggestions of how we could do things better, please let us know.