Computer Science
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
For help with specific areas of computer science, consider free training in the Pottruck Technology Resource Center (PTRC).
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- A Dictionary of Computing
Simmons Eresource
Hosted by Oxford Reference Online, this e-resource has over 6,500 entries and provides a comprehensive coverage of computer applications in industry, the office, science, education, and the home. Is the ideal reference book for all computer users; may use a simple or advance search.
- Encyclopedia of Computers and Computer History
Level 1 Reference QA76.15.E53 2001
A reference book that serves as both an encyclopedia, defining in detail various subjects, and as a historical source, chronicling events and discoveries within the computing world. Entries run about two pages in length, many containing examples, graphs, images, and illustrations; includes index.
- The Essential Guide to Computing
Level 1 Reference QA76.5.W287 2001
- Encyclopedia of Information Systems
Level 1 Reference T58.5.E535 2003
This four volume encyclopedia extensively covers various subject matter about information systems, from 'Artificial Intelligence Programming' in volume one, to 'Word Processing' in volume four. Entries are highly detailed, most over ten pages long, and include examples, graphs, charts, and illustrations; volume four also contains an elaborate index.
- Computer Security Sourcebook
Level 1 Reference QA76.9.A25 C658 2003
There are over sixty-nine chapters of information about topics ranging from e-mail spam to protecting kids' online privacy. The content of the chapters is in a question/answer format, making it a very user friendly guide to everything you need to know about computer science. This source is useful for average computer users as well as readers that have a computer technology background.
- Encyclopedia of Computer Science
Level 1 Reference QA76.15 .E48 2003
The Encyclopedia of Computer Science is one of the definitive resources in computer science and technology. it is still the only single volume to cover every major aspect of the field.The definitions aren't just three sentence definitions -- each concept is explained in great detail.
- Data and Telecommunications Dictionary
Level 1 Reference TK5102.P48 1999
A technical reference covering the topic of data and telecommunications; many entires include instructional graphs, charts, and images to help further define terms. The back of this source includes appendices with various charts, an extended section on ATM, and a timeline of telecommunications inventions and technologies.
- Books 24/7
Simmons Eresource
Books 24x7 is a database of thousands of the best technology books from the world's top publishers. All of the books are available fulltext online, and can be browsed or searched by keyword. Please be sure to log-out when you are finished using a book, because only one student can read a book at a time.
Note: you must register for a personal username and password from ON CAMPUS the first time you use this resources
- FAITS
Simmons Eresource
This eresource contains more than 1,200 full-text reports on computer science and a wide range of other IT topics. You can also find tutorials, market reports, and product profiles, along with much more.
- Web Services and Web-Centric Links
Free Online
Maintained by Simmons College Computer Science professor Margaret Menzin, this resource "provide[s] an extensive set of resources for programming in XHTML, CSS, JavScript, CGI and Server-Side Programming, Perl, XML and its extensions, Web Services and SOA, including SOAP and WSDL, and Web 2.0 including Ajax."
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- ACM Digital Library
Simmons Eresource
The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)digital library provides access to every article ever published by ACM, in form of citations and full-text. There are many different documents available including newsletters, transcripts of meetings and workshops, and company publications.
- Proquest Computing Journals
Simmons Eresource
Search top computing journals in full text for research on subjects such as database design, software development, web commerce, LANs, WANs, Intranets, and the Internet. Dates covered: 1998 - present.
- InformIT
Free Online
Searchable resource for articles, book chapters, and reference guides on networking, web development and design, operating systems, and IT and project management.
- Applied Science and Technology Index
Simmons Eresource
Bibliographic database that indexes and abstracts articles dealing with applied science and technology. Indexed articles come from trade and industrial publications, journals issued by professional and technical societies, and specialized subject periodicals, as well as special issues such as buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings.
- Communication and Mass Media Complete
Simmons Eresource
This database is the combination of CommSearch and Mass Media Articles Index. It provides the full text of over 200 communication related journals, as well as articles from reviews, encyclopedias, and handbooks. Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- LISTA
Level G Periodicals Z699.A1 D6 and Simmons Eresource
LISTA is a library science database with a large emphasis on technology and information sciences. Technology subjects include online information retrieval, electronic publishing, and information management, along with many others. LISTA indexes journal articles from more than 600 publications plus books, research reports, and conference proceedings. Whether you are interested in library science or computer science, it is a valuable tool.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- Science Citation Index -- ISI Web of Science
Simmons Eresource
This source is an index of citations and abstracts of scholarly articles from over six thousand journals pertaining to almost all the scientific fields
Note: Full text of the cited articles is not available through Social Science Citation Index. Click the link that says "Check for Full-Text Availability" to determine if the library has access to the article. Remember, if we do not have the entire article, it can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you
to find Computer Science information on the free web.
Use this Computer Science Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the
same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Computer Science Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
