Engineering Research: Types, Goals, and Ethics
Engineering Research: An Overview
1. Defining Research and the Research Flow Cycle
Research is a structured, objective, and systematic search for knowledge or the formulation of new theories driven by curiosity about the unknown. It involves creating new knowledge by developing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions to see if they match the original hypotheses.
Engineering Research Process
The research process includes several steps to conduct an effective investigation:
- Formulate Research Problem: Identify the topic or area of inquiry.
- Literature Survey: Review existing studies on the topic.
- Develop Hypotheses: Create testable assumptions based on the literature.
- Prepare Research Design: Plan how to collect data efficiently.
- Determine Sample Design: Choose a sampling method, like random or stratified.
- Data Collection: Gather information via experiments, surveys, etc.
- Execute Project: Systematically conduct research to ensure reliable data.
- Data Analysis: Process and interpret data to find patterns and inferences.
- Conclusion and Reporting: Summarize findings and present results clearly.
2. Types of Engineering Research
Engineering Research focuses on solving new and significant problems through systematic investigation, applying scientific methods to answer questions. Engineers conduct research to develop new knowledge or understand failures, and thorough research informs sound decision-making.
Descriptive vs. Analytical Research
- Descriptive Research: Observes and describes phenomena without manipulation. Example: Surveying current renewable energy usage.
- Analytical Research: Analyzes existing data to evaluate relationships between variables. Example: Studying the impact of materials on concrete strength.
Applied vs. Fundamental (Basic) Research
- Applied Research: Solves specific practical problems. Example: Developing a new battery for electric vehicles.
- Fundamental Research: Seeks to understand underlying principles without immediate application. Example: Investigating material properties at the atomic level.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
- Quantitative Research: Collects and analyzes numerical data. Example: Surveying user satisfaction with software.
- Qualitative Research: Explores human behavior through non-numerical data. Example: Interviewing engineers about sustainable practices.
Conceptual vs. Empirical Research
- Conceptual Research: Develops new theories or concepts. Example: Proposing a model for fluid flow in porous media.
- Empirical Research: Gathers data through observation or experimentation. Example: Testing a new cooling system’s efficiency.
Experimental vs. Non-Experimental Research
- Experimental Research: Manipulates variables to observe effects. Example: Testing catalyst concentrations in a chemical reaction.
- Non-Experimental Research: Observes without manipulation. Example: Analyzing traffic patterns and accident rates.
3. Crediting Research Contributions
Research contributions can be credited in three major ways in research publications:
- Authorship: This involves being listed as an author of the intended publication. Authorship establishes both accountability and gives due credit. A person is expected to be listed as an author only when associated as a significant contributor in research design, data interpretation, or writing of the paper.
- Citation: Research contributions can also be credited through citation of previously published or formally presented work. This acknowledges the inputs to the present research and gives credit to the original sources.
- Acknowledgment: Contributions can be recognized through a written acknowledgment of some inputs to the present research. This allows for the recognition of individuals who may have provided valuable input but may not meet the criteria for authorship.
These methods of crediting research contributions are important for establishing priority for discoveries, building peer-reputation, and ensuring that individuals receive appropriate recognition for their work.
4. Primary Goals of a Literature Review
The primary goals of a literature review in academic research are to:
- Clarify the Problem: Identify and define a vaguely known research problem by examining existing content, ideas, and methods.
- Advocate Approach: Justify a specific approach to understanding the problem.
- Evaluate Methods: Assess the methods used in previous studies to ensure effective research design.
- Establish Originality: Show that the research will contribute something new and relevant by highlighting gaps in existing knowledge.
- Build a Strong Foundation: Provide a well-rounded background that supports the research’s significance, originality, and rigor, making new insights more defensible.
A high-quality literature review demonstrates thorough coverage, clarity, depth, and effective analysis, using references to strengthen the foundation for new research.
5. Contribution of New and Existing Knowledge
New knowledge in research builds upon what is already known. It is understood and appreciated only within the context of existing knowledge, which highlights its originality and importance. To produce original insights, researchers need a strong grasp of current literature, using it to:
- Define the Problem: Establish that a significant problem exists based on prior work.
- Identify Gaps: Show what is missing from current knowledge to support the originality of the new research.
- Provide Context: Use existing knowledge for relevant background, tools, and methods.
Textbooks usually cover foundational knowledge, while recent studies and research papers introduce new developments. An effective literature review establishes a solid base for advancing knowledge, encourages theoretical development, clarifies what’s already known, and guides future work. A thorough review is often a supervisor’s first expectation of a research student, reflecting a deep understanding of the field.
6. Understanding Datasheets
A datasheet is a detailed reference document for an electronic component, essential for engineers and researchers working with electronic circuits. It explains the component’s purpose, features, specifications, and provides guidance on its correct usage. The first page typically includes a brief summary of the component’s function, key specifications, and a block diagram showing its internal operations. A pinout diagram indicates the physical arrangement and function of each pin, with special markings for correct orientation, usually marking pin 1. Performance graphs are often included to show how the component behaves under different conditions (such as varying voltage or temperature) and outline safe operating ranges. Additionally, datasheets may contain truth tables that map specific inputs to outputs and timing diagrams that illustrate data transfer speeds and sequences. Together, these elements help researchers accurately design, implement, and troubleshoot circuits involving the component.
7. Defining Citation and Its Functions
Citations (references) credit others for their work, while allowing the readers to trace the source publication if needed. Any portion of someone else‘s work or ideas in papers, patents, or presentations must be used in any new document only by clearly citing the source. This applies to all forms of written sources in the form of texts, images, sounds, etc., and failure to do may be considered plagiarism. When a bibliography of previously published patents or papers is placed in the new works of a researcher, a connection is established between the new and previous work.
Functions of Citation
There are three main functions of citation:
- Verification function: Authors have a scope for finding intentional or unintentional distortion of research or misleading statements. Citation offers the readers a chance to ascertain if the original source is justified or not, and if that assertion is properly described in the present work.
- Acknowledgment function: Researchers primarily receive credit for their work through citations. Citations play a crucial role in the promotion of individual researchers and their continued employment. Many reputed organizations and institutes provide research funding based on the reputations of the researchers. Citations help all researchers to enhance their reputation and provide a detailed background of the research work.
- Documentation function: Citations are also used to document scientific concepts and historical progress of any particular technology over the years.
8. Motivations for Engineering Research
Individuals are motivated to engage in engineering research for various reasons. Some of these motivations include:
- Personal fulfillment: The desire to solve unsolved problems, intellectual joy, and the sense of service to the community and respectability are driving factors for individuals in engineering research.
- Competition and collaboration: Influences from others, such as competition, collaboration, commitment, and encouragement, serve as motivating factors for research. For example, the desire to do better than others or to contribute to the improvement of society can be strong motivators.
- Intrinsic and extrinsic factors: Motivations can stem from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic motivations like interest, challenge, learning, and purpose are linked to strong creative performance. Extrinsic motivating factors such as rewards for good work, including money, fame, awards, praise, and status, also play a role in motivating individuals.
- Contribution to society: The opportunity to improve the state of the art in technology and contribute to the improvement of society serves as a motivation for individuals engaged in engineering research.
- Government directives and funding opportunities: External factors such as government directives, funding opportunities in certain areas, and terms of employment can also motivate people to get involved in engineering research.
9. Defining Engineering Research and Its Aims
Engineering research refers to a systematic method of inquiry aimed at expanding the existing knowledge base, solving new and important problems, and making original contributions to the field of engineering. The aims and objectives of engineering research include:
- Solving new and important problems by applying scientific approaches
- Developing new theoretical or applied knowledge
- Testing hypotheses of causal relationships between variables
- Determining the frequency of occurrences or associations
- Gaining familiarity with a phenomenon or achieving new insights
- Portraying accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group
- Contributing to the improvement of society and the state of the art in technology
- Obtaining a patent for innovative outcomes
- Fulfilling personal motivations such as intellectual joy, service to the community, and respectability
10. Types of Research Misconduct
The different types of research misconduct are fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
- Fabrication: This involves the illegitimate creation of data or experiments with the intention of presenting false information as genuine. It can occur when there are pressures to meet deadlines or expectations.
- Falsification: Falsification refers to the inappropriate alteration of data or experiments to support a desired hypothesis, even if the actual data suggests otherwise. This can involve misrepresentation, misinterpretation, or illegitimate changes to data.
- Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when someone uses or reuses the work of others without proper attribution, presenting it as their own. This includes verbatim copying or reusing one’s own published work without acknowledgment.