Resources for Research

This article was originally published in the October 4, 2011 issue of AATCC News.

Resources for Research
By Diana A. Wyman

For students, research is a way of life —from book reports and literature surveys to full-blown experimental studies. To make it a little easier, AATCC offers a variety of resources you can use. And student membership gets you access to all of them.

Not a member yet? Join today!

Students pay only US$35 per year.

Article Archive
One of the most direct sources of information is the online article archive (for AATCC members only). The archive gives you access to the full text and graphics of every article printed in an AATCC journal since 1969. It also includes hundreds of other titles relevant to textiles, polymers, materials, and design.

To access the archive, visit the Members Only page and click "Search All."

You can search the archive by keyword, author, or other criteria. Click on any title to view a PDF of the complete article. Save or print the file from anywhere—no rushing to the library in the middle of the night to make expensive, blurry copies.

Indexed articles cover a variety of genres and subjects. There are easy-to-read feature stories and highly-technical research papers; there are more than 6,000 full text records related to “color” and literally thousands of other topics, from AATCC to Zirconium.

For the most recent issues of the AATCC Review journal, you can view a full-color, interactive digital copy. It's an exact, searchable replica of the printed version. From the Members Only page, click “AATCC Review.”

Publication Discounts
If you need a source for more complete information on a particular topic, you can purchase books at a significant discount. AATCC offers technical publications and books of papers from various symposia on analytical methods, fibers, dyeing, color communication, medical textiles, digital printing, and much more. And the list is always growing.

AATCC members always get a discount of up to 30% on publications. For member pricing, make sure you are logged in.

Membership Directory
Nothing beats getting information directly from its primary source. But where can you find contact information for an expert on indigo dyeing or knitwear design? Try the AATCC Membership Directory. You can search for members by name, company, or even geographic location. Need to know about activewear? Search for someone at Nike or Reebok.

Want an international perspective? Search for members in the country of your choice. There are more than 60 to choose from! Clicking on a last name from the list gives you a full profile including the person’s company, title, email, phone, fax, and mailing address.

LinkedIn

If you don’t know who to ask, or need a variety of opinions, AATCC has an answer for that, too. You can post questions or problems to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists LinkedIn group or related subgroups and get answers from AATCC members around the world. You don’t even have to be a member to take advantage of this resource!

But Wait, There’s More!

AATCC membership is more than a line on your resume. It is a bridge to your career as a textile professional. Watch for more articles especially for students in this newsletter, online, and in AATCC Review. Throughout the year, you will learn about scholarship opportunities, job search tips, student success stories, and membership benefits.

What else do you wish you knew more about—or wish others knew? What has inspired you as a student? If you have a story suggestion, contact Maria Thiry.