Homework Assignment for CEE Graduate Seminar 2007
20 CEE 705

For this assignment you will research a topic by finding materials in the library and its online resources, and write a short paper (can be one page) on your topic.  References cited in the text of the paper must be included in a list of references at the end. Satisfactory completion of the assignment is required for seminar credit. The assignment will be due when the seminar meets November 2, 2007. You will be exchanging papers with a colleague, and then revising before submitting a final version November 9, 2007.

You will need the library catalog (UCLID) to complete the assignment.  Access the catalog from
        five PC workstations in the Engineering Library, or
        sixteen PC workstations in the Information Commons at Engineering, or
        ALL the Engineering PC computer labs.

1. Select a  specific topic within your departmental area (construction management, environmental, geotechnical, structures, transportation). Select a topic you are considering for your thesis.  Make your topic as focused and well-defined as possible. If necessary, explore the literature first to help decide what specific area you will focus on.
2. Begin your paper with an introductory paragraph describing your topic, including the key terms or concepts for the specific aspect or application you are researching.
3. Search for information on your topic in the following sources. Keep track of which source your information came from. Each source you use will be cited in your list of references. Each reference should be unique.
   1. Find one book. Use the library catalog (UCLID) to identify a book.  You may also use Knovel, Referex, CRCnetBASE, or Springer e-books on the Engineering Library homepage under Books Online to find material. Locate the book on the library shelves or online.  Read pages of the book relevant to your topic. In your list of references, provide a complete citation for the book according to the prescribed format. Provide page numbers if appropriate.
   2. Find one reference book relating to your topic. Use the Reference Guides on the Engineering Library homepage.  Refer to the section of the guides called HANDBOOKS and ENCYCLOPEDIAS.  Find the book in the Reference area or online. Provide a complete citation for the reference work in your list of references, including the specific pages of the book containing relevant information.
   3. Find one journal article using ONE of the following general databases. Read the article and cite in your list of references.
      • Compendex .  Limit the publication type to journal articles. Use the "Find It!" link to locate an article. OR
      • Academic Search Complete OR
      • SCOPUS OR
      • Computers and Applied Science Complete (CASC) .
   4. Find one journal article using ONE of the following specialized indexes.  Read the article and cite it in your list of references, indicating which index or database you used.
      • Aerospace and High Technology Database OR
      • ASCE's Civil Engineering Database OR
      • Chemical Abstracts (Use SciFinder Scholar on workstations in the Engineering Information Commons or in the Chem/Bio Library.  (See tutorial.) OR
      • Civil Engineering Abstracts OR
      • Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management subfiles OR
      • GeoRef OR
      • IEEE Xplore OR
      • Mechanical and Transportation Engineering Abstracts OR
      • TRANSPORT .
   5. Find an article citing an author or article you have already found, using Science Citation Index (SCI).  Click on Web of Science and then Cited Reference Search. If finding a cited article is not possible, find an article by the author of an article you have already found. Use the FindIt! button to locate the article.
   6. Search the web using Google Scholar Advanced Scholar Search or Scirus for a scientific search engine. Make use of search tips. For example you can limit to the .edu domain, or to subject categories in Google Scholar. Put search phrases in quotes. Limit to title to narrow your search, etc. Find a substantive, authoritative site relating to your topic. Cite it in your bibliography using the format provided.
4. Based on the information you have read in the above six sources, add paragraphs to your introductory paragraph.  Use your own words. DO NOT cut and paste information from the abstracts or articles you found. Improper citing of quoted or paraphrased material constitutes plagiarism.
5. Conclude the paper with a List of References in ASCE format .   (Do NOT attach printouts for a bibliography.) 
   1. Each reference cited in your text should be identified by a [number in brackets] corresponding to its number in the list of references used.
   2. References should be numbered in the order they appear in your paper. However for my benefit, preface each reference with the source by which you found the reference, as illustrated below:
      1. Library Catalog or online book collection:
      2. Reference book from Guide:
      3. General database (identify which):
      4. Specialized index (name the index):
      5. Science Citation Index (state the name of the cited author after the reference):
      6. Google Scholar or Scirus (name which search engine):

Make sure your paper has your name .

10/17/07
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