CAE 7810 - Research and Writing

• Explain what constitutes a formal technical research paper-describe the IMRAD structure and understand the significance of each component to the overall research process
• Explain how the formal technical research paper and process aligns with the overall goals of the MSAE or MSCV programs, with the MSOE Mindset, and with the broader goals of graduate education
• Develop a coherent research question, and outline a research plan for investigating the question, in consultation with student’s capstone advisor
• Write a graduate capstone paper that features a critical literature review utilizing scholarly resources, including various technical databases and including proper citation formatting, in support of the research question
• Format and cite sources using various standardized style guides, including APA
• Develop a research plan for investigating the research question, including proposing methodology for data collection and analysis.  Understand how to interact with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) when collecting data involving research on human subjects, and understand the ethics involved with such research.
• Illustrate how to format a formal technical paper consistent with journal or conference proceeding standards
• Write a graduate capstone paper, using appropriate formatting, grammar, figure and graphical annotations, and citation formatting 

• Knowledge in the student’s specialty area

• Course introduction: explanation of the formal research process, significance of the research process to the graduate level education and to the MSOE Mindset and to program goals
• Elements of a formal technical paper and how to develop them, including guidance on writing
• Research questions: what they are, how to develop them
• Literature reviews: how they fit into the overall research process, types, the critical literature review, using technical databases and other legitimate scholarly sources to develop a literature review
• Citing sources and formatting a report to be consistent with a given style guide
• Research plans: developing methodology for data collection and analysis
• Research designs and methods employed in civil and architectural engineering
• Types of research in civil and architectural engineering requiring IRB approval and how such approval is obtained
• Journal articles and conference proceedings: how to format these and derive them from a longer thesis or capstone report paper
• Guidance on technical writing, clear communication, and ethical issues associated with the written capstone report