Informing Chemical Engineering Decisions with Data, Research, and Government Resources

Introduction.- Information Basics.- Traditional Resources.- Governmental Resources.- Finding Articles: Traditional and Web-based Search Options.- Conclusion.- Case Study 1: Finding a More Ecologically-Friendly Plastic for our Product.- Case Study 2: Biofuels: Using (Mainly) Governmental Resources to Inform your Decisions.- Bibliography.

Patricia Kirkwood is the Engineering and Mathematical Sci ences Librarian at the University of Arkansas. She took this po sition in 2004 after serving at her alma mater, Pacific Lutheran University, as the librarian focusing in science, engineering, nursing, and music. Prior to these positions, Patricia specialized in physical sciences information as the head of the Physical Sci ences Library at Cornell University and the chemistry librarian at Emory University. In addition to her time in academic posi tions, she was a librarian at Bell Communications Research in New Jersey and a chemist at Hercules, Inc. at the powder plant in Utah. Patricia has an undergraduate degree in chemistry and an MLIS from the University of Illinois.Necia Parker-Gibson is an associate librarian at the University of Arkansas. She is subject specialist for multiple departments in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences. She has served as editor for two academic journals. Previous to the University of Arkansas, she served as a librarian for a lobbying group in Baton Rouge. She received her MLS from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture