62 Engineering Fundamentals
Library Research
The fi rst step in researching potential solu-
tions is to gain insight through printed and
digital materials. Library research is a type of
research that uses different forms of printed and
digital materials as a source of information. These
materials provide images and descriptions that
help engineers develop workable solutions to
problems. Library research includes using books,
magazines, and the Internet to fi nd information.
The fi rst type of library research is the use
of books. Books can provide many engineering
ideas. Books can show historical use of differ-
ent technologies and engineering principles. See
Figure 4-10. This historical information provides
the engineer with a thorough background of the
history of designs and how their solutions may
be developed using historical technologies as a
model. Engineers take notes and photocopies of
useful material from books and place them in
their engineering notebook for future reference in
the development of their solution.
Books currently come in many different
formats. Engineers now have greater and quicker
access to more information through the use of
eBooks as well as the use of traditional, printed
books. Some materials are only available in print,
but eBooks are growing in popularity.
Engineers may also look in catalogs and maga-
zines for potential solutions. Magazines and catalogs
are printed materials that are often more up-to-date
than books. Catalogs and magazines usually have
images of new technologies and ideas in all areas of
engineering. By using these types of materials, engi-
neers look at recent trends in design, manufacturing,
and other areas of engineering focus.
Digital media has become increasingly impor-
tant in engineering design. Digital media is a
combination of many different tools engineers
use including digital images, the Internet, and
electronic databases. Engineers use the Internet
as a tool to research current designs and for quick
access to images and information. The Internet can
be used to quickly search magazines, catalogs, and
books for relevant information. See Figure 4-11.
Using books to find information is one type of library
research.
Figure 4-10. 
Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock.com
This biological engineer can research solutions on his
computer using the Internet.
Figure 4-11. 
Konstantin Sutyagin/Shutterstock.com