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Computer Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that integrates principles of electrical engineering and computer science to design, develop, and optimize computer systems and hardware-software integration. It encompasses a wide range of areas, from creating microprocessors and embedded systems to developing software and networking protocols, focusing on the complete functioning and interaction of computer systems.
This Library Research Guide will provide information about and access to some of the most significant research materials available from McFarlin Library related to Computer Engineering. The tabs above cover research options such as:
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Selecting a research topic is much like deciding on a travel destination. Once you have narrowed your ideas to an interesting subject, write down a brief statement about this topic. For example: "Rock groups of the 60s, their popularity and major influence on the music industry." Once the topic is selected, write down specific questions that you'll want to answer. The research process will drive your destination. Your original topic may develop into something entirely different. You may choose to follow an alternate path and go down a different road.
After determining the topic, you can map out your route. You must identify the types of sources that will provide the information needed, then determine where to find these sources. Types of sources that should be considered include books, periodicals, the Internet, and other libraries (through interlibrary loan).
The key to finding books is the online library catalog called Discovery. Search in Discovery by selecting a keyword that best describes your topic. You can also search by title, author, subject, or keyword. In addition to books, the catalog allows you to search for periodicals, government documents, audiovisual material, and Special Collections.
If you get lost during your sight-seeing trip, stop and ask directions. The following reference sources will be most useful to acquire quick answers to any questions you may have.
Begin with Encyclopedias, then to get off the main drag, use Subject Encyclopedias.
What does it mean? Use a Dictionary.
How much, how many? Find Statistical Information.
Who? Find Biographical Information.
How can I get in touch? Use a Directory.
Where do I go from here? Bibliographies.
Periodicals include newspapers, magazines, and journals. They are published regularly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly. Journals are periodicals containing articles written by experts in a particular field of study. If the researcher wrote the article, is it a primary source. If reporters write the article, such as in popular magazines, it is a secondary source. Typically, journal articles contain extensive bibliographies that lead to additional sources.
Journal List - If there is a specific journal that you are looking for, this will take you directly to McFarlin's holdings.
Discovery - If there is a specific article that you are looking for, you can search Summon with that article's title.
Database List - If you don't have a specific journal or article in mind, then McFarlin's databases will allow you to search multiple journals with a keyword.
Academic writing in Computer Engineering involves formally communicating research, designs, software development processes, and technical analyses within the discipline. It emphasizes clarity, precision, objectivity, and adherence to scientific and engineering conventions.
The types of academic writing seen in the field of Computer Engineering include:
Technical Reports and Project Documentation
These are detailed documents that describe software development, system designs, algorithms, or hardware projects. They typically include problem statements, design approaches, methodologies, implementation details, testing results, and conclusions. Such reports serve both academic evaluation and professional communication.
Research Papers and Articles
Formal manuscripts reporting original research or development work. They follow structured formats (often IMRAD: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), presenting theoretical background, experimental or computational methods, results of simulations or prototypes, and analysis of significance. These papers are intended for peer-reviewed conferences or journals.
Proofs and Algorithm Descriptions
Computer engineering majors often write formal mathematical proofs to validate algorithms and system correctness, as well as detailed descriptions of algorithms using pseudocode or formal notation.
Lab Reports
Similar to other engineering disciplines, lab reports document experiments or practical exercises related to hardware or software engineering, outlining objectives, procedures, results, and conclusions.
In Computer Engineering, as in other fields of study, it is very important that you cite the sources that you use to form and articulate your ideas.
There are two primary citation styles used for Computer Engineering:
The links above will take you to the citation guides created by the Writing Center. Your professor should tell you what citation style you will be using for their class; if you aren't sure which style you should be using, please ask your professor.
For an excellent and free citation management software option, check out our page on Zotero.
For a quick and easy citation generator, try ZBib by Zotero.
