Skip to Main Content

Library Resources for Engineers

An overview of resources provided by the Lehigh University Libraries that are useful for Engineering research.

About Reports for Engineering Research

Reports are valuable information sources in Engineering research. This page provides information about and sources for two types of reports:

  • Technical reports often present in-depth research results, designs, or testing outcomes, and may contain data and details not found in journal articles. Technical reports are often produced by governmental agencies, research laboratories, Universities, corporations, and professional organizations.
  • Market and industry reports provide insight into the commercial landscape, trends, and competitive analysis that can inform design, product development, or entrepreneurial projects. They are often produced by specialized companies and can be extremely expensive.

Below are tips and resources for finding technical and market/industry reports. If you need help, please contact the Engineering Librarian.

Find Technical Reports

Technical reports document research and development results, often from government agencies, research labs, or corporations. They may include experimental data, prototypes, methodologies, and recommendations. These are especially useful when journal publication is delayed or when proprietary details are not widely shared.

Pro Tip: Technical reports can be challenging to find. Start with known agencies (DOE, DOT) or organizations in your field and check their technical publications pages. Then, move to cross-agency search tools like the National Technical Reports Library from NTIS or OSTI.gov from the Department of Energy.

Below is a list of resources you can search for technical reports. Not finding what you need? Contact the Engineering Librarian for help.

Find Market and Industry Reports

Market and industry reports translate complex market activity into actionable insights. Instead of focusing on lab results or technical design, these reports map the economic, competitive, and technological environment around a product, service, or industry. They often combine data, trend analysis, and expert forecasts to help engineers understand where innovations fit into the broader commercial landscape.

Pro Tip: Because these reports are often costly, take advantage of the Libraries' subscriptions. Narrow your search by industry, geography, or technology to zero in on the most relevant segments for your project. If the libraries don't subscribe to a report you find, contact your librarian for options, which may include asking for free access for non-commercial research.

Note: The data and analyses in market and industry reports rely on the methodologies, models, and data used. The accuracy of these reports can vary widely. Be sure to read through the explanation of the methods and data sources for reports, and critically evaluate the findings.