LibGuides: Computer Science: Databases & Resources

Where to get help

Cañada College Library Redwood City, CA

Contact:

Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Text Message: (650) 535-8398

Phone: (650) 306-3480

How to read and understand a scientific journal article

How to Read and Understand a Scientific Article
How to Read and Understand a Scientific Article: A Guide for Nonscientists by Jennifer Raff, a University of Kansas assistant professor, breaks down and explains sections of academic articles like abstracts and conclusions.

Using Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a version of Google that searches for academic articles and is often easier to use than databases. Connect Google Scholar to Cañada College and College of San Mateo databases by following these steps.

Search Google for Google Scholar
Click on the three horizontal bars in the upper left-hand side of the page.
Find Settings in the menu.
Choose Library Links from the list on the left.
Search for Cañada College and College of San Mateo. You may save up to five library links, as shown below.

Find information about salaries and degrees for the computer science field

Search for information about the field of computer science, including salaries, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, "The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $136,310 in August 2019."

Read about how and where computer scientists work in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

For information about college computer science programs, see ComputerScience.org

Online computer science classes at MIT ND Harvard and other coding resources

If you need help with programming or coding or want to take a specific class in a program or coding language, one of these schools or organizations will have something to suit you.

Code Academy offers classes in HTML & CSS, JavaScript, iQuery, PHP, Pythom, and Ruby.
Coursera includes classes towards earning certificates as well as classes in different levels offered by universities like Vanderbilt, Rice, Duke and University of Michigan.
GitHub acts as an online encyclopedia of computer science.
Harvard Extension School's Open Source class, CS 50: Intro to Computer Science, is a good introduction for anyone.
MIT OpenCourseware is good for computer science students ready to move beyond the basics.

Databases & Resources

Databases

Access Science Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Access Science is an online encyclopedia that provides overview information on science topics. This database includes definitions, biographies, encyclopedia, articles, images, study guides, bibliographies.

Computer Science (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
Gale OneFile: Computer Science provides access to leading business and technical publications in the computer, telecommunications, and electronics industries. The database provides information on computer-related product introductions, news and reviews in areas like hardware, software, electronics, engineering, communications, and the application of technology.

O'Reilly Learning (Safari Tech Books Online) This link opens in a new window
O'Reilly Learning (formally Safari Tech Books) contains eBooks, videos, learning paths, audio books, and more on the latest in technology and business trends.

Science in Context This link opens in a new window
Gale In Context: Science is an engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information on hundreds of today's most significant science topics. The solution merges Gale's authoritative and continuously updated reference content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, experiments, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience.

Libby (formally Overdrive) has magazines like Macworld, PC Magazine, Breakout and more computer magazines available for online checkout. Libby/Overdrive is a Peninsula Library System database and you will need your public library card to access it.

ACM Digital Library

The Association for Computing Machinery offers a repository of full-text articles and other materials as well as YouTube channels with thousands of subscribers. Create an account for free here.

ACM Full-Text Collection
Journals, newsletters, conference proceedings and magazines.
ACM YouTube channel
"ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society with 100,000+ members, and unites computing professionals, educators, and researchers from industry, academia, and government. ACM is dedicated to advancing computing as a science and a profession." - ACM
San Francisco Bay Area ACM Youtube channel
San Francisco Bay Area Professional Chapter of the ACM lectures from their General and Data Science SIG monthly meetings. Topics from Silicon Valley include Mobile App Development, Web Design, Machine Learning, Big Data, and more.

Where to find databases in the new catalog

Find the OneSearch field on Cañada College Library's homepage to navigate to databases, then choose a database from the dropdown menus by alphabetical order or by name.

Professional associations & coding classes

Professional associations to bring you in contact with professionals in your future field

Connect with computer scientists and see what resources computer science associations offer. Many offer training and some lead to internship or work experience.

American Association for Engineering Education (ASEE), a nonprofit association founded in 1893, promotes engineering and technology education.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world's largest general scientific society fostering scientific freedom and responsibility, improving the effectiveness of science.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is the world's first scientific computing society.
Association for Women in Computing, founded in 1978, is one of the first professional organizations for women in computing.
ACM Special Interest Group on Software Engineering provides a forum for computing professionals from industry, government and academia to examine principles, practices, and new research results in software engineering.
Computing Research Association (CRA) connects over 200 North American computer science and computer engineering departments.
IEEE Computer Society, the largest of the 39 societies of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is dedicated to advancing the theory and application of computer technology.
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a leading professional association for the advancement of technology.
National Society of Professional Engineers offers connections and info for engineers, including education, licensing, ethics and student information.

Library services

The Cañada College Library, on the third floor of Building 9, offers computers, textbooks, technology, research help, printing, and group study rooms.

Library computers do not require you to log in and do not have a time limit so you can come and stay all day. Chromebooks, hotspots and calculators can be checked out from the circulation desk after you complete a technology loan agreement .

Search for textbooks available at the library. If you do not see your textbook, fill out the Textbook request form for students.

Cañada College Library homepage
Find databases and other resources here.
How-to library instructional videos
Videos on how to search databases, create MLA citations, and more.
Make a research appointment.
Meet with a librarian one-on-one online or in the library.
Printing in the library and learning center
Instructions on setting up your printing account here.
Reserve group study rooms here.
Rooms can be reserved up to one week in advance for two hours a day.
See if the library has your textbook.
The library has textbooks available to check out. If we don't have your textbook, you can request that textbooks for your classes be placed in the library's Course Reserves.