What's your go-to research method for structural engineering projects?

1 Literature Review

A literature review is a systematic and comprehensive search of published sources related to your research topic or question. It helps you to identify the current state of knowledge, gaps, trends, and controversies in your field. A literature review also helps you to establish the credibility and validity of your own research by showing how it relates to existing studies and theories. To conduct a literature review, you need to define your scope, criteria, and keywords, and use reliable databases and search engines to find relevant sources. You also need to critically appraise and synthesize the sources, and document them properly using a citation style.

2 Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest for your research project. It can be primary or secondary, depending on whether you collect the data yourself or use existing data from other sources. Data collection can involve various methods, such as surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, simulations, or tests. The choice of data collection method depends on your research objectives, questions, hypotheses, and design. You also need to consider the reliability, validity, and ethics of your data collection method, and how you will store, manage, and protect the data.

3 Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of transforming, modeling, and interpreting the data you have collected for your research project. It helps you to answer your research questions, test your hypotheses, and draw conclusions. Data analysis can involve various techniques, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression analysis, factor analysis, or structural equation modeling. The choice of data analysis technique depends on your research type, design, and data characteristics. You also need to use appropriate software and tools to perform and visualize the data analysis, and report the results clearly and accurately.

4 Code Review

A code review is a process of checking and verifying the compliance of your structural design with the relevant codes, standards, and regulations. It helps you to ensure the safety, quality, and performance of your structure, and to avoid potential errors, risks, or failures. A code review can involve various steps, such as identifying the applicable codes, standards, and regulations, reviewing the design drawings, calculations, and specifications, comparing the design with the code requirements, identifying any discrepancies or deviations, and recommending any corrections or improvements.

5 Peer Review

A peer review is a process of evaluating and providing feedback on your research work by other experts or peers in your field. It helps you to improve the quality, validity, and impact of your research, and to prepare it for publication or presentation. A peer review can be formal or informal, depending on whether you submit your work to a journal, conference, or other platform, or seek feedback from your colleagues, mentors, or advisors. A peer review can involve various aspects, such as the originality, significance, relevance, clarity, accuracy, and completeness of your work, and the strength and validity of your arguments, methods, and results.

6 Technology Review

A technology review is a process of exploring and assessing the latest and emerging technologies, tools, and trends in your field. It helps you to stay updated, informed, and competitive in your profession, and to identify new opportunities, challenges, and solutions for your research and practice. A technology review can involve various sources, such as journals, magazines, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or forums, and various topics, such as new software, hardware, materials, methods, or applications. A technology review also helps you to learn new skills, expand your network, and enhance your reputation as a structural engineer.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?