SE3077 Methods in Engineering Research

This course teaches the student how to develop a research approach to investigate an issue or problem. Instruction offers an overview of research methodology, basic concepts employed in quantitative, qualitative, and combined or mixed methods, as well as computer applications for research. Experimentation, survey, and case study are some of the basic research designs that the course introduces. Subject matter experts in different research designs will provide lectures during the course. The course establishes engineering reasoning as a framework for developing a research approach. Center to this framework is retroductive thinking, which iteratively applies deductive, inductive, and abductive logic at different phases of the engineering design process. Selection of an appropriate method of inquiry is guided by the logic employed, the design phase, and the design element of interest. At the end of the course, the student will develop and document a viable research plan for an engineering problem.

Prerequisite

None

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

0

Statement Of Course Objectives

 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the appropriateness of various research methods for given study objectives.
• Apply basic quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing data.
• Independently design data collection methods that support planned data analysis.
• Perform literature reviews using credible print and online sources. Organize and write a literature review on a given topic and\ or problem.
• Apply engineering reasoning through different phases of the engineering design process. 
• Design and plan an independent research project using quantitative, qualitative, or combined methods.
• Write a research plan or capstone proposal to address a specific problem.