MT 221 Introduction to Materials Engineering

This research guide will assist students in finding sources for the term paper in Anthony Koprowski's MT 221 class. If you have any questions, please contact a librarian using the chat in the bottom right of this guide or via email to library@delta.edu.

Identify Keywords

Look at your assignment topic and pull out keywords to use in library databases such as: 

containment vessel

containment behavior

nuclear power plants

small modular reactors

Search OneSearch
OneSearch, the library discovery search, is a great place to start searching. It includes links to full-text articles that might otherwise be behind a paywall. It searches multiple databases at once and allows filtering by source type and publication date. Go to the Find Scholarly Articles tab in the left sidebar to find links to OneSearch.

Refine your search

Test out your keyword searches. Look for other keywords in your search results. 

Limit your search by Source Type to Academic Journals and Trade Publications using the filter button at the top of your search results.

If you do not find enough full-text articles through Delta, try removing the Delta Library Resources filter by using the All Filters button which opens a set of filters in a right sidebar, then uncheck the Delta Library Resources box (see image below). This should expand your search and you can order full-text articles through interlibrary loan. Articles will be delivered to your email, usually within a week. 

Contact a Librarian

If you need assistance with your research contact a Delta librarian. Librarians are available via email, chat or in-person.

This assignment requires you to use scholarly articles as sources. Use the following criteria to help identify scholarly articles.

• Written by experts - look for an authors credentials or affiliations (degrees, college or university, etc.)
• Written for other experts in the field.
• Use scholarly language with technical, discipline specific vocabulary.
• Provide verifiable and reliable evidence for claims. Sources used in research or in writing the article is listed in a Reference list or bibliography,
• Articles may be Peer Reviewed. The articles may go through an editorial process where the article and information are reviewed for accuracy prior to publication.

Identifying Scholarly Articles:

• Databases like OneSearch include a filter to limit to journal articles or trade publication.
• Look at the source or publication title. Is it a journal? Google the publication title and look at the publication process for that journal or publication.
• Is the article long? Scholarly articles are detailed and are usually 5 or more pages. Sometimes 20-30 pages.
• Is there an abstract or summary? Most scholarly articles will have a short paragraph that summarizes the article.
• Does it include many sections such as an introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion?
• Is there a lengthy notes, references, bibliography or works cited list at the end?