Library: Finding Science and Engineering Data: Home

What is science and engineering data?

Data is the product of research and is often found in data files or data sets. Data can be interpreted or analysed to answer a specific question.

Scientific and engineering data is usually collected through controlled experiments (e.g. in a lab), observation or use of instruments in the field, or via computer simulations
Statistics are based on data and usually appear in tables or in more visual formats such as graphs or charts. They may appear as numbers or percentages and are used to answer questions based on the data, or to summarise or interpret it

Approved data or research data sets?

This guide is primarily intended to help you find approved data and data sets, i.e. data collected and confirmed by other engineers and scientists, published in books, found via databases or on the internet. The main focus is a detailed exploration of Knovel Library, a powerful database for finding scientific and engineering data.

If you are looking for new research data, you can also explore the literature for your subject, using databases to find articles reporting primary research in your field
If you are a researcher looking for existing research data sets that you might analyse for your own research, see our separate guide and resources listed in the box below
If you are specifically interested in chemical property data, start with this guide and Knovel Library then explore our Chemical property data guide

Selected internet sources of data
A curated list of UK, US and international organisations that produce and share data

Finding and reusing existing research datasets

Explore our guide to Finding and reusing research datasets. This includes discipline specific resources for scientists and engineers as well as:

Data-specific search engines and databases
Interdisciplinary data archives
Guidance on Finding a suitable data archive
Advice on Using and citing third party datasets

Examples of traditional data books

Finding data using Knovel Library

Knovel is our major subscription database for scientific and engineering data. This guide focuses on the main search features and functionality.

Knovel This link opens in a new window
Searchable full text access to over 4,000 leading handbooks, databases, encyclopedia and reference books across all engineering disciplines. Knovel also provides tools to analyse and display data found.

Knovel videos
Videos from Elsevier showing how to use Knovel to find material properties, how to use interactive graphs, etc.
Video: Knovel - Property Search (8:21)

Finding data using Knovel: a self-paced interactive tutorial. A c15 minute tutorial and quiz covering the following:

Searching for content using topic keywords
Searching for specific data
Manipulating interactive data
Materials Property tool

Our second quiz will test your ability to find data in Knovel. Make sure to complete the above introductory tutorial first!

Advanced Knovel quiz for scientitst and engineers. c15-20 minutes.

Test your ability to browse and search for data
Test your ability to manipulate interactive data

Official Knovel video introduction (4min 35s)

Data, Technical References and Tools – Knovel (43.17)

Additional databases for scientific and engineering data

This guide focuses on Knovel Library which is a powerful tool for finding scientific and engineering data. The following databases and website also contain data but are not explored in depth in this guide:

McGraw Hill AccessEngineering This link opens in a new window
Database providing a wealth of McGraw Hill’s premium textbooks, reference works, videos and data visualisation tools for engineering, sciences and business skills. Includes tools for real-world problem solving, case studies, industry codes and standards, plus course outlines for curriculum planning.
Engineering Sciences Data Unit (ESDU) This link opens in a new window
Validated data and design guides and software tools in a range of engineering disciplines including Aerospace, Automotive, Mechanical, Structural and Process Engineering.
SpringerMaterials This link opens in a new window
SpringerMaterials provides curated data and functionalities to support researchers in materials science, chemistry, energy, engineering, physics and other related fields, with over 290,000+ materials and 3,000+ properties.
Detherm This link opens in a new window
Thermophysical property data for compounds and mixtures.
Note: You now need to be logged in to access the resource:
1. From the PSDS homepage, click on the Log in option in the top-right hand corner.
2. Search for University of Bath under 'Access through your institution'.
3. Login via Single Sign-On when prompted.
4. Once logged in, access Detherm by clicking on the appropriate tile.

MatWeb
Online database of engineering material properties. Contains 130,000 datasheets, covering polymers, metals, ceramics, fibers and more.
Data.gov
US government data
UK Data Service homepage
Key data repository for UK and international social science datasets.

See also our Chemical property data guide