• ES Español (Latinoamérica)
• EN English

7.51. Methodology of Engineering Research (Mandatory)

7.51.1. Justification ↑ Back to top

Research Methodology in Engineering introduces students to the systematic process of formulating, conducting, and communicating engineering research. The course covers the foundations of the scientific and engineering research process – problem formulation, literature review, research design, data collection and analysis, and academic writing and citation norms – and then applies them directly: each student develops an original research or applied-engineering proposal under individualized faculty advising, presenting and defending it through continuous and final evaluation.

7.51.2. Generales Goals ↑ Back to top

1. Formulate a well-defined engineering research problem and conduct a supporting literature review.
2. Design a research approach appropriate to an engineering problem, selecting suitable data-collection and data-analysis methods.
3. Apply academic-integrity principles and standard citation norms when producing engineering research writing.
4. Develop, under individualized advising, an original research or applied-engineering proposal from problem formulation through preliminary results.
5. Present and defend engineering research work, responding to continuous and final evaluation.

7.51.3. Contribution to Outcomes ↑ Back to top

ABET-6) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. (Familiarity)

7.51.4. Content ↑ Back to top

7.51.4.1. Problem Formulation and Literature Review (10 hours) [Skills ABET-6] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Booth et al., 2016b; Leedy and Ormrod, 2019a; of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2019)

Topics

1. The engineering research process: from problem identification to dissemination of results
2. Formulating a research problem and specific, investigable research questions for engineering practice
3. Literature review methodology: search strategies, source evaluation, and synthesis

Learning Outcomes

1. Formulate a specific, investigable engineering research problem [Usage]
2. Conduct a supporting literature review, evaluating and synthesizing sources [Usage]

7.51.4.2. Research Design and Data Methods (10 hours) [Skills ABET-6] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Booth et al., 2016b; Leedy and Ormrod, 2019a; of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2019)

Topics

1. Research design: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches applied to engineering problems
2. Data collection instruments and methods for engineering research (surveys, experiments, field measurements, simulation)
3. Data analysis methods and interpretation of engineering research results

Learning Outcomes

1. Design a research approach, appropriate for an engineering research question, including data collection and analysis methods [Usage]
2. Select data collection instruments and analysis methods appropriate to a given engineering research question [Usage]

7.51.4.3. Research Communication and Academic Integrity (10 hours) [Skills ABET-6] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Booth et al., 2016b; Leedy and Ormrod, 2019a; of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2019)

Topics

1. Academic integrity, plagiarism, and citation standards (reference norms) in engineering writing
2. Structure of a research proposal, thesis, and technical paper
3. Oral presentation and defense of engineering research work

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply academic integrity principles and standard citation norms in an engineering research write-up [Usage]
2. Structure a research proposal or technical paper following standard engineering academic conventions [Assessment]
3. Present and defend engineering research work in response to an evaluation committee's questions [Assessment]

7.51.5. Bibliography ↑ Back to top

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., and FitzGerald, W. T. (2016b). The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press, 4th edition.

Leedy, P. D. and Ormrod, J. E. (2019a). Practical Research: Planning and Design. Pearson, 12th edition.

of Civil Engineers (ASCE), A. S. (2019). Guide to preparing engineering research reports and theses. Technical report, ASCE.