Industrial Engineering Graduate Library Seminar

Researchers often find references through three types of sources:

• Subscription databases and journals - The University Libraries pays fees to provide access to hundreds of journals and databases containing the most recent and innovative research. 
• Government Publications - Researchers often have to make their manuscripts and data publicly available when receiving funding from the federal government. 
• Professional Societies - Many professional societies produce standards and have affiliated journals and publications that are peer reviewed and a reputable source of information.

These subscription databases are recommended to find engineering references in scholarly journals and books. 

Patents can provide a wealth of information on:

• Research that hasn't been published in scholarly literature
• Background information on the invention itself and on the field of research pertaining to the patent
• Company research activity that isn't published in any other sources
• How a process, machine, design, plant, or the composition of matter was developed or how it works in a highly technical level of detail

Information included about a Patent can help you find other sources to support your research:

• Sources cited by the patent
• Sources citing the patent
• Related or similar patents
• Patents within the same classifications

UofL Bioengineering Patent: Computer aided diagnosis system for classifying kidneys

For more information check out the Patent Research Subject Guide.

Industrial Engineering Professional Societies can be a good source for networking, funding, continued education, and publications.

American Society for Precision Engineering

• The mission of the Society is to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of precision engineering, and to promote its dissemination through education and training, and to promote its use by science and industry. Precision Engineering is a discipline encompassing the design, development, and measurement of and for high-accuracy components. By extension, the field also includes the design of systems in which high dimensional accuracy is a central concern, as well as the design of machine tools and measuring machines to accomplish the necessary manufacture and measurement.

American Society of Safety Professionals

• The American Society of Safety Professionals supports occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in their efforts to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. They provide education, advocacy, standards development and a professional community to our members in order to advance their careers and the OSH profession as a whole.

Association for Manufacturing Technology

• AMT is committed to advancing the manufacturing technology industry by facilitating the adoption of transformative technologies; fostering community and partnerships; producing events that create new business opportunities; supporting global business growth; and enhancing industry knowledge about technology, legislation, and workforce development.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

• IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. IEEE's core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE has multiple smaller societies including IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society and IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.

Insitute of Industrial and Systems Engineers 

• The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) is an international nonprofit association that provides leadership for the application, education, training, research, and development of industrial and systems engineering.

Standards are an agreed-upon way of doing something.

Industry standards are used by producers of goods and services. They specify how an item should be made by providing exact measurements and specifications about the materials. 

For more information, check out the Standards Guide.