The aim of this guide is to help Electrical Engineering students locate information both in the library and online. It is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather a starting point for your literature search.
Before you begin searching, make sure you have a clear understanding of your research topic. Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are excellent starting points:
Dictionaries provide definitions of unfamiliar terms.
Encyclopaedias offer detailed explanations and overviews of topics.
Some useful titles can be found under the Dictionaries & Encyclopaedias tab.
Once you have grasped the basics of your topic, consider the key concepts and any alternative terms that could help broaden or narrow your search.
Always critically evaluate the information you read. Be especially cautious when consulting Wikipedia and similar websites, as the authority and reliability of their content cannot always be guaranteed.
Remember to work SMART when evaluating sources:
Source: Is the source well-known, reliable, and up to date?
Motivation: Why does this site exist? Are they selling a product or promoting a particular agenda?
Authority: Is the author’s name provided? Are they recognized in the field?
Review: Has the information been reviewed or checked by others in the field?
Two sources: Is the information supported by other reliable sources?
Most databases subscribed to by UCT Libraries index articles that have been peer-reviewed by experts in the field before publication, ensuring a higher level of reliability.
When searching for information on your topic, choose 3–4 main points (key concepts) to focus your search.
When searching electronic resources, use stemming to include words that share the same root. For example:
electr* will search for electricity, electrical, electronic, or electronics.
This technique helps you find more relevant results without having to type every variation of a word.