Instructional Guides

Compendex

• What is the scope and coverage of Compendex?
• How do I search for a journal article?
• How do I get the article if not in the database electronically?
• How do I print or email/save my results?
• How do I use Scirus to search the Web?
• What is a "Personal Account?"
• What if it asks me for a log-in or password?
• What are some other related resources about my research?
• What if I need help?

What is the scope?
Over 8 million citations and abstracts to journal articles, conference proceedings, and technical reports in engineering and applied science including bioengineering, chemical and process engineering, computers and data processing, electronics and communications, agricultural and food technology, applied physics, transportation, civil, mechanical, materials, petroleum, aerospace, and automotive engineering. 

What years are covered?
1969 to present

How do I search for a journal article?
1.) Enter your keywords or search terms and use "all fields" for the largest search.  Use the asterisk (*) to truncate.
For Example:

Note: Choose key terms and do not use sentences or questions.  Make sure words are spelled correctly.
     -or-
2.) For a narrower search enter your keywords or search terms and use "Subject/Title/Abstract" from the pull down menu.

3.) If you know the author (last name, first name) use the "Author" from the pull down menu.  If you are unsure of the Author's first name use the asterisk to truncate.
For Example:

     -or-
4.) If you know the article title, use "Title" from the pull down menu.
For Example:

5.) If you want to search within a specific journal, use "Serial Title" from the pull down menu.
For Example:

6.) Use the "limit by" features to build a better search.  You can limit by document type (i.e. journal article, conference proceeding, report), treatment type (i.e. literature review, application) [Note: Only applies to records published after 1985], language (i.e. Spanish, Japanese), and year (i.e. 1969-2004). Also use the "sort by" options to chance how records are listed either relevance or date order (newest first).
Note: For exact phrase searching use brackets or quotation marks.  For Example, {block and tackle} or "solar energy".
Note: Click on the question mark  for more information or try the Help tab. 

What is the truncation symbol?
The truncation symbol is the asterisk (*).  For example, irradiat* finds irradiate, irradiation, irradiated, irradiating.
Note: Search terms are automatically stemmed in the Quick Search.

How do I get the article if not in the database electronically?
1.) Click on .
2.) If the SFX box includes a link that says Full text available via... click on the link to get full text. Check availability and the year of your citation to make sure we have access to the year you want.

3.) If the SFX box includes the link Check for holdings in COAST, the CSULB Library Catalog it means we have the item in print.  Click on the link, find where your year is located in the library.  Copy down the call number and your citation information and go find the article in the Library.

4.) If the SFX box only says No full text available at the CSULB Library for this Item it means we do not have this journal.  To get this item use Illiad InterLibrary Services.  Note: It will take 5-10 days to get article from Illiad.  

How do I print my results?
Use the check boxes to select multiple records.  Use "View Selections" when you are ready to print, email or save results. 
To print a citation and abstract, click on "Print" and a new window will open with correct formatting.  Click on the printer icon.

How do I email/save my results?
Use the check boxes to select multiple records.  Use "View Selections" when you are ready to print, email or save results. 
Click on "e-mail" and enter your email address and a subject or message.  Click on Send Email.
Click on "download" and select Plain text format for best results. Click the Download button, name the file and save. Double check location of saved file.  
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What are more Search Sources?
On the left side of the Advanced Search you can connect to:

• Esp@cenet, the European Patent Office, which has European and US patents back to 1836.  The USPTO (United States Patents and Trademark Office) has U.S. patents.
• CRC ENGnetBASE to search 190 CRC Press handbooks.  Use keywords to identify which CRC Press books and chapters have information with related content to your search.  We currently do not have access to the electronic version of these books but CSULB library does own the paper copy to many of these titles.  Search COAST to identify if CSULB has a paper copy of the handbook.
• IHS Standards to search a commercial standards supplier. You can use the database to search for a particular standard, then check COAST to see if CSULB owns it.  There are many other places to look for standards.  Please email the Science and Engineering librarian for more information.

How do I use Scirus to search the Web?
Scirus is a free science-only search engine.  It covers over 150 million webpages related to all disciplines of science.  Use like any other search engine.  Use the "About Us" feature to find more information on what is covered and the searching algorithm.

What is a "Personal Account?"
You can create a free Personal Account by registering with Compendex.  You can save searches, create e-mail search alerts, table of contents alerts and save records in your own folder.  Click on the Personal Account Log-in for more information.

What if it asks me for a Log-in or Password?
If you are asked for a log-in or a password, generally, it means we do not have access to those areas, except for the features of the Personal Account, which requires free registration.  If you have any questions please email the Science and Engineering Librarian.

What are some other related resources for my research?
Databases
IEEE Xplore
Science Direct
Scitation
Web of Science
Wiley Interscience
General Science Abstracts

Research Guides
Engineering
Gray Literature
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Physics/Astronomy

What if I need more help?
Getting Organized for Research
Using Magazines, Newspapers & Journals
Chat with a librarian 24/7
Email the Engineering Librarian                                                                          top                                               

  

This page was created by Kate Peterson, updated by Cathy Outten
and now maintained by Hema Ramachandran, Engineering Librarian
University Library, California State University, Long Beach