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Computing & Software Systems (CSS): Graduate Student Research

Research Guide for Computer Systems & Software

Welcome Graduate Students!

Hello! This page contains access points for library resources related to computer science research. If you experience issues accessing anything on this page or have general research questions, email the librarian for CSS graduate students, Myra Waddell (she/her) myraw@uw.edu 

When Myra is not available:

  • Contact Je Salvador (they/them), CSS & Engineering Librarian, jsalv@uw.edu 
  • AskUs Chat Services. - Get help 24/7 with this real-time chat service. AskUs Chat is an excellent resource to use when immediate help is required and your computer science librarians are not available. 

Starting Points / Top Databases for CSS

Interdisciplinary Library Research Guides

Oftentimes, CSS research involves searching for information tied to adjacent fields such as health sciences, biological sciences, and public policy. Below is a list of a few research guides to common subjects connected to computer science. You can also find the entire list of subject guides on the library's Research by Subject webpage.

Theses and Dissertations

Conducting Surveys and Writing Survey Questions

Need assistance with writing survey questions for your research? Try these resources as starting points for survey question design. 

Advanced Search Strategies

View the Advanced Search Strategies page to learn about:

  • Choosing appropriate databases.
  • Effectively utilizing database search commands.
  • Optimizing indexed keywords and subject headings.
  • Citation chaining (also referred to as snowballing).

Citation Management

UW Libraries supports three citation managers: EndNote Basic, Mendeley, and Zotero. These tools provide the same basic features:

  • saving citations,
  • organizing them into folders, and
  • generating in-text citations and bibliographies as you write.

If you are interested in EndNote Basic or Medeley, information about these systems is available on the Libraries' citation management software guide: you may find the comparison chart (at the bottom of the page) particularly useful. As of 2021, UW Libraries no longer supports RefWorks. If you would like to migrate references from RefWorks to Zotero, Mendeley or EndNote Basic, please see these instructions.  


Zotero Citation Management System

For details on Zotero citation management system (CMS), the CMS that is often used by CSS graduate students, and for information about common citation styles used in CSS, view the Citation Management page in this guide. 

Technical Writing and LaTex

View the Technical Writing & LaTex page to access:

  • Ebooks on technical writing tips, including the IEEE writing guide for engineering and technical fields. 
  • LaTex overview and templates.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Scanning Services - Do you need an article that UW Libraries does not get full text access to? Request for a free copy to be delivered to you electronically through the library's ILL service. Plan in advance - ILL usually takes about two business days to deliver articles.

Accessing UW Libraries Databases Off Campus

Husky OnNet VPN Service - Download and install Husky OnNet to create a secure, temporary connection to the campus network.  Husky OnNet solves 99% connection problems including access to library databases.