Building Construction Technology

Getting started with databases

What are databases and where can I find them?

Where to find databases:


About databases

A  database is where you find ebooks and articles from journals, magazines, trade publications, and newspapers. Each database contains thousands of sources published in many different journals, allowing you find relevant articles faster than you would by searching individual journals.

TSTC Library Services subscribes to a large number of databases which are not otherwise freely available online.  You can browse an alphabetical list or filter by program/subject, resource type, or the vendor.  

 

Terms you may encounter in your research

  • Database: A searchable platform that contains descriptive records of articles, books, conference proceedings, audio-visual material, maps, newspapers, and more.
  • Full-text: This means you can read the item in full from beginning to end, not just the abstract or summary.
  • Peer Reviewed: Also, Scholarly Source. Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work. It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field.

Building Construction Technology databases

  • Home Improvement
    Best Bet

    This resource puts the research of hobbyists and professionals alike on a solid foundation with more than 4.5 million articles from more than 200 home improvement-focused titles, covering topics including architectural techniques, tool and material selection, zoning requirements, and others.

  • Materials Science & Engineering Database Best Bet

    Provides full-text titles from around the world, including scholarly journals, trade and industry journals, magazines, technical reports, conference proceedings and government publications. Topics covered include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and biomaterials and deal with areas such as corrosion, molding and casting, treatment, recycling, testing, finishing, welding, and forming.

  • Academic eBook Collection

    This multidisciplinary collection includes thousands of e-books covering a large selection of academic subjects including: Business & economics, Education, Language arts & disciplines, Political science, Religion, Literary criticism, Medical, Social Science, Philosophy, Technology & engineering, and World history.

  • Boundless

    The library’s curated collection of eBooks and digital audiobooks. Search, browse, and discover content that you need to thrive in your courses and beyond.

  • Digital Book Index

    Provides access to over 165,000 full-text digital books from various academic and commercial publishers.  Great for research across disciplines.

  • eBook Collection on EBSCOhost

    This eBook collection includes titles from the world's leading business, technology, trade, reference, academic, and scholarly publishers.

  • Films On Demand: Master Career & Technical Education Video Collection

    Find essential videos that can guide you along your career path, regardless of your field of study.  Over 6,800 full-length videos covering career & job search, computer science, guidance & counselling, hospitality, technical education & trade skills, and visual communication.

  • Gale General OneFile

    Our largest general-interest periodical resource, General OneFile allows researchers to find the information they want quickly. With intuitive searching that mirrors Internet searches, users can easily tap into sources that are guaranteed for quality.  Most content in Gale General OneFile is full-text with no embargo and recommended by Bowker's Magazines for Libraries.

  • Technology Collection

    Combines broad indexing coverage of the scholarly literature in advanced technology, computer science, engineering, materials science and related areas.  Includes scholarly journals, trade and industry journals, magazines, technical reports, conference proceedings, and government publications.