1. Forging new generations of engineers

2. Introduction to Research
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 – Introduction to a DesignProcess
Introduction to Research
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

3. “Basic research is what I am doing when I don’t know what I am doing?”
– Werner von Braun
father of the United States space program

4. Introduction to Research
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 – Introduction to a DesignProcess
What is Research?
Research is the systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
“We undertake research when we wish to explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a problem, or make an argument that compels us to turn to outside help.”
Students will be at different stages in understanding how to research. Activity will help you determine which area of research to focus on.
– MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
5th Edition by Joseph Gibaldi
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

5. Introduction to Research
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 – Introduction to a DesignProcess
Types of Research
There are two types of research:
Primary Research
generating original information
Secondary Research
gathering information that has already been generated
The Activities in this lesson is more of the secondary kind.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

6. Primary Research Is original research Generates up-to-date information
Includes methods such as observation, experiments, surveys, and interviews
Analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates all information and data

7. Primary Research Advantages: Is directly applicable to the need
Can result in extremely detailed, accurate, and relevant information or data
Can result in new information that cannot be found in secondary sources
Results in expert knowledge

8. Primary Research Disadvantages: Is time consuming
Requires extensive planning
Can be expensive
May depend on the participation of unreliable sources for results

9. Secondary Research
Requires searching information that other researchers have already collected, analyzed, and reported
Includes published works: books, journals, magazines, newspapers
Includes unpublished works: business reports, operating manuals, masters theses, doctoral dissertations, web pages
Is the most commonly conducted type of research

10. Secondary Research Advantages:
Requires less time and little to no cost in comparison to primary research
Helps the researcher to either focus or expand his/her scope
Elicits a sense of credibility and authority in that it shows others that the researcher has done his/her homework

11. Secondary Research Disadvantages:
The researcher may have to sift through a tremendous amount of information.
Not all information sources are valid (i.e., internet web pages).

12. Secondary Research Sources
Research Libraries
Support faculty and students in their research efforts in college/university libraries
Have extensive collections of books and periodicals
Contain theses, dissertations, and other useful unpublished works

13. Secondary Research Sources
Books
One of the most reliable published sources.
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) has replaced the card catalog in most libraries.
Browsing library shelves may result in new sources.
Interlibrary loans result in more materials.

14. Secondary Research Sources
Magazines
Magazine Databases include ProQuest, Electric Library, and others.
Excellent related graphics may be discovered.

15. Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
Indexes – guides to newspapers, magazines, and journals
Bibliographies – related publications
Collections of Abstracts – journal articles
Guides to Research – American Library Association’s Guide to Reference Books

16. Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
Dictionaries – The Oxford English Dictionary, Webster’s Dictionary
Encyclopedias
Biographical sources – Who’s Who
Yearbooks – Britannica Book of the Year

17. Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
Atlases – map collections
Gazetteers – geographic information
Statistical data sources – Statistical Abstract of the United States
Almanacs – good for statistics
Books of quotations

18. Secondary Research Sources
Newspapers
ProQuest
Electric Library
Microfiche

19. Secondary Research Sources
Multimedia
Films
Videos/DVDs
Audiotapes

20. Secondary Research Sources
Internet Web Pages
Search Engines: Google, Yahoo
Associations, Organizations, Businesses
Government Agencies
Public Institutions: Museums, Libraries
Note: Anyone can invent information and put it on the internet.

21. Research Techniques Define and list your topic, project, or problem.
Identify key words of the topic.
Identify all resources with which you are familiar that may provide information.
Use the Internet to conduct quick keyword searches and record the URL addresses.

22. Research Techniques
Use what you’ve learned thus far to check libraries for books, periodicals, journals, and other reference works.
Contact schools, companies, and organizations in your local area to identify persons who are knowledgeable in your research topic.
Assemble your list of resources, and begin systematically exploring them.

23. Evaluating Information
The quality of any source should be evaluated before using and citing its information.
It is up to the researcher to differentiate between fact, opinion, and propaganda.
Legitimately published sources contain the most reputable information.