Contents

Preface
An introductory note for instructors

1 Introduction to engineering research

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7

Why engineering research?

Next step research
Research questions
Engineering ethics
What constitutes conclusive proof?
Why take on a research project?
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

2 Literature search and review

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8

Archival literature
Why should engineers be ethical?
Types of publications
Measures of research impact
Literature review
Keywords
Publication cost
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

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3 Developing a research plan

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

Research proposals
Finding a suitable research question
The elements of a research proposal
Design for outcomes
The research tools
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

4 Statistical analysis
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7

Introduction
Sources of error and uncertainty
One-dimensional statistics
Two-dimensional statistics
Multi-dimensional statistics
Null hypothesis testing
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

5 Optimization techniques
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Introduction
Two-parameter optimization methods
Multi-parameter optimization methods
The cost function
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

6 Survey research methods

6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5

Why undertake a survey?

Ergonomics and human factors
Ethics approval
General survey guidelines
Survey statements

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6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
6.11

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Survey delivery
Respondent selection
Survey timelines
Statistical analysis
Reporting
Chapter summary
Exercises
References

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7 Research presentation

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235

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Standard terms
7.3 Standard research methods and experimental
techniques
7.4 Paper title and keywords
7.5 Writing an abstract
7.6 Paper preparation and review
7.7 Conference presentations
7.8 Poster presentations
7.9 Patents
7.10 Chapter summary
Exercises
References

8 The path forward

8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5

Publication trends
Getting started in research
Quality assurance (QA)
Occupational health and safety
A glimpse into the future of engineering research
Exercises
References

Appendix A Matlab plot functions

Appendix B Excel plot functions
Index

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Cambridge Books Online Cambridge University Press, 2016