IQP Research - IQP Research Guide - LibGuides at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Get Set Up

Keep organized, work more efficiently, search more quickly. Meet with a librarian as a team. Consider using EndNote Web or another citation builders to save you references and notes. Set up ILLiad and learn how to obtain items from other libraries.

Research Consultation Request
If you have not already, be sure to meet with a librarian when you embark on your project research.
EndNote Web
Use to manage your references and generate bibliographies. More...
ILLiad Interlibrary Loan - Set up Account
If you haven't already used this service, take a minute to set up your account to order papers or books from other libraries.
Learning with Technology Collaboratory
Learn more about ATC tools may help you with your project, such as SharePoint or Wimba for web conferencing.

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Find Information on Your Project Topic

Start at the library website with our ALL/Summon search to see what information you can find.

Search tips: Use quotes around phrases such as "invasive plants" to be more specific or consider using the advanced search and filters to narrow down your results. Use * for truncation, for example, sustainab* will retrieve any results with that word root.

Be sure you understand how:

to get to full text using WPI's FullTextFinder
to order items through Interlibrary Loan (free for students)

Also try:

Databases & Electronic Resources
Search for secondary research: articles, reports, case studies, news. Specialized databases to use depend on your topic: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Engineering Village, are a few examples
For most IQPs you will have to perform primary research (collect data yourself) for pieces of information that cannot be found within web or library sources.
WPI Journals Search Tab
As you perform your research, you will come across journals that may be on your specific area of research. Track down journals that WPI owns either in print or online.

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Get Thinking

Start thinking about how to search for information on your topic:

In one sentence or phrase describe your topic or research question.
Break down the sentence or phrase into concepts.
List synonyms to help with keyword and subject searching. Use Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT) when needed.
What broad research areas might cover your topic?
Look at the breakdown of databases by subject.
What are some of the key concepts in your topic?
Create a search strategy by using OR to combine synonyms/narrower terms and AND to combine key concepts.
Example: (eating disorders OR anorexia nervosa OR bulimia) AND (behavior modification OR behavior therapy OR biofeedback training)

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Track Down Experts

Who’s an expert in your area of research?
Are there any organizations, associations which may be worth exploring?
Project Center Research Guides
Often list governmental and other useful sites to find important people. Also, regional news articles can help you zone in on experts, officials, or others who may have a vested interest in your project topic area.
LibWeb - Are there other libraries which may have special collections?

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How and When is Information Published?

Cycle of Scientific Literature

Scholarly Communication Cycle (College of Wooster)

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5 Top Tools for IQP's

Summon
library one search
FullText Finder
find within databases or Google Scholar & click to find full text or retreival options
EndNote Web
Use to manage your references and generate bibliographies. More...
Google Scholar
ILLiad, Interlibrary Loan, and Document Delivery
tip: to order books from other libraries, use Worldcat.org

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Inspiration

IQP Project Report Template

Below is a MS Word template along with instructions. The template outlines the contents and structure of a standard IQP project report. This may serve as a guide for project teams.

For assistance with MS Word styles, pagination, generating table of contents, graphs/tables and other features, contact the helpdesk@wpi.edu.

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