SIBL > Science and Technology Information > Building & Construction

How can I keep current with the latest news and information in the building/construction industries?

Indexes and Abstracts

An index is a print or electronic resource that provides citations to articles published in periodicals, journals or newspapers. Some are general while others are specific in their subject coverage.

An abstract has all the information provided by an index with the addition of a summary of the article.

Note: For additional information on Indexes/Abstracts: see: http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/science/scindexes.htm

Guidelines to formulating a search strategy:

  1. Use AND, OR, NOT to combine your keywords: i.e.

    “brick* and chimney*” will yield articles with both terms
    “cement or concrete” will yield articles with cement or concrete or both
    “window* not Microsoft” will yield articles with windows without Microsoft

  2. Use truncation or wildcards (usually represented by * or ?) to find terms with similar roots:

    E.g. techn* with yield articles with technical, technology, technologies, etc.

  3. To search a phrase, use quotes: e.g. “building code”; “air conditioner”

  4. To be more specific in a search, limit the search by:

    Language (e.g. English)
    Date (e.g. last 12 months)
    Type (e.g. industry surveys; company overviews)
    Format (e.g. full text)
    Level (secondary; research)

Selected Electronic Databases Related to Building & Construction

These resources are available in the Rohatyn Electronic Information Center (EIC) at SIBL or are available from home/school/office with an NYPL borrowers card  (*) from the library website, (http://www.nypl.org/databases/index.cfm?act=2&j=home).   See also the Research Libraries listing of online databases: http://www.nypl.org/databases/ for a complete listing of on-site databases.

Note: For additional information on electronic databases, see: http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/science/scieic.htm

  • Applied Science and Technology Abstracts
    Articles. Abstract and Index Database. Locate articles in 390 key English language periodicals in applied sciences. Covers engineering, computers, mathematics, physics, energy related topics, chemistry, and data processing. 1983 - Present. Updated: Monthly. Also available in print 1958 - Present. (*R-SIBL Z7913.I7).

  • Compendex Plus
    Articles. Abstract and Index Database. Locate articles in all fields of engineering. Journal articles, technical reports, monographs, and conference proceedings are included. 1970 - Present. Updated: Weekly. Print copy of Engineering Index is available on the lower level, call number *R-Z5851.E622.

  • EBSCOHost (EIC) and (*)
    A family of abstract and full-text databases. Relevant ones include: Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Masterfile Premier, Newspaper Source, Professional Development Collection.

  • PROMT (Predicast Overview of Markets and Technology) (EIC)
    Articles. Full Text and Abstract Database. Use this database to research companies, the products and technologies they produce, and the markets in which they compete. Includes summaries and full text from nearly 1,000 business and trade journals, industry newsletters, newspapers, market research studies, news releases, and investment and brokerage firm reports. 1994 - Present. Updated: Daily.

The following electronic databases also contains relevant articles/reports regarding building and construction:

  • Business & Company Resource Center (EIC) and (*)
  • Environmental Policy Index (EIC)
  • General BusinessFile ASAP (EIC)

Selected Print Indexes and Abstracts

  • Ceramic Abstracts, 1922 - Present (*R-TP785.A64 (current), JSM 95-47)
  • Environment Abstracts,  1974 - Present (*R-GF1.E553 (current), JLM 84-118)
  • Metals Abstracts, 1968 - Present (*R-TN1.M5153 (current), JSM 94-290, also see CATNYP)
  • Pollution Abstracts, 1970 - Present (*R-TD172.P65 (current), JSM 95-12)
  • RAPRA Abstracts (Rubber and Plastics), 1968 - Present (*R-TS1870 .R68 (current), JSM 94-799, also see CATNYP)