Possible Research Methods

1
Possible Research Methods
Observe Solicit expert opinion Collect and
synthesize information from published and
unpublished sources Conduct tests Make
calculations Create preliminary designs
2
Research Discovering and Developing Information

• Published Resources
• Printed articles, books, catalogs, etc.
• Electronic databases
• WWW
• Unpublished Resources
• Oral and written (but unpublished) records
• interviews, correspondence (email)
• Empirical Studies
• surveys, observations, experiments, tests

3
Evaluating all Sources of Information

• Does the information answer important questions
  for your research?
• Is the information current? Can you determine
  the date of publication?
• Are presented facts and figures from reliable
  sources?
• Can you detect any biases in the way that
  information is presented?
• Can you determine the authors credentials and
  qualifications?
• Is the publisher/sponsor credible? (for WWW
  sources, check the domain).

4
Evaluating Internet Sources

• 7. Is the site updated regularly?
• -- check dates
• 8. Is the site well designed?
• 9. Is the writing grammatical and clear?
• 10. Does the source make any biases absolutely
• clear? Does it make its purpose clear?
• -- check About page

5
Research Ethics In-Class Exercise
Assume you are writing a paper on global warming
for an Environmental Engineering Conference. On
a scale of 1 (most credible) to 5, rate the
following sources in terms of credibility with
your audience. http//www.greenpeace.org/ (Gree
npeaces URL)  http//www.epa.gov/globalwarming/ (
The EPAs page on global warming)
6
Evaluating Internet Resources
Caveats

• Where does page originate? Is a single
  individual as reliable as university, major
  company, or government agency?
• Beware of NAME in directory path of URL. Page
  may be in personal directory.
• Check the domain. If source is a company, is the
  page advertising?

7
Evaluating Internet Resources

• A reliable site should make clear how it is
  organized and maintained. At least one page
  should include development info. When was site
  last updated?
• Check out this resource
• http//www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluating/

8
Other Problems with Researching(list those you
encounter)

• On Web
• Using other sources

9
Strategies for Researching

• Be as specific as possible in your search.
• Learn how to combine keywords.
• Choose the best search engine.
• Google loads faster than other engines.
• See this article on search engines.
• Consult a librarian.
• Set a timetable for research.
• People are also sources of info., but they have
  to be reliable and credible

10
Search Strategies

• Subject search
• uses keywords
• Snowball search
• moves back in time begins
  with recent publication
• Citation search
• moves forward in time --
  begins with key paper

11
Snowball (a) and Citation (b)
Douglas (2003) Physical Rev. Letters, MIT
Nicol et al. (1998)
(a)
Gaiver (1996) Phys. rev. Letters
Bardeen (1994)
Glasser (1995) IEEE Trans
Auschnitt (1986) Applied Phys Lett
Haus (1978) Internatl J of Elect
(b)
Lugovoi (1976) Optics
Haus (1975) IEEE Journal
12
Search Tools

• Science Citation Index
• a CD-ROM in the McKinney Library
• Applied Science and Technology Index
• Covers trade and industrial publications as well
  as journals published by professional societies.
• Engineering Index
• also the Engineering Index Annual (abstracts)
• Dissertation Abstracts

13
More Search Strategies

• Star search
• looks at star journals or institutions
• Comprehensive database search
• needs a search profile
• Consult with librarian.

14
Collecting Information Interviewing

• Gather necessary information
• Prepare effective questions
• focused
• few yes/no
• one at a time
• Dont interrupt
• Allow time for response
• Convey interest
• tone of voice body language
• Write thank-you letter

15
Documenting Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

• Dont plagiarize unintentionally -- copying more
  than 5 words in a row from another source without
  attribution is plagiarism in engineering writing.
  
• Consider these writing strategies
• Quotation, paraphrase, summary
• If in doubt about whether to cite source, cite
  it!
• Improper citation is way better than no citation.
  
• UTs Scholastic Dishonesty policy

16
Developing your Project
Investigation
Evaluation
Time constraints
Research discoveries
Refined criteria
Problem/Need
Possible Solutions
Report Topic
Feasible Solutions
Conclusions
Legal constraints
Criteria
Client constraints
Solution
Recommendation
17
Collecting Information Surveys

• Use random but representative sample
• Ask short, mainly yes/no, simple questions
• Ask very few open-ended questions
• Avoid vague or overly general words
• Be cautious about jargon and slang
• Use easy-to-complete, attractive design
• no more than one page
• Collect answers yourself whenever possible