Develop a research methodology for engineering
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to develop a research methodology for engineering, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to select and produce a methodology that will achieve the research aims and objectives effectively, and you will be required to evaluate the research methodology for any potential constraints or critical requirements. In addition, you will be expected to calculate the resources necessary to carry out the research, and you will be required to communicate the methodology to the appropriate people.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for ensuring the successful development of a research methodology, and to report any problems that you cannot personally resolve to the relevant authority. You will be expected to work unsupervised, either on your own or as part of a team, which you may lead or direct, taking full responsibility for your actions and, possibly, for the work of colleagues or subordinates.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of general and discipline-specific engineering principles and processes. You will be fully conversant with organisational procedures and systems, and will understand research principles, processes, design and methodology, and data analysis methods. You will also understand about research issues specific to your engineering sector or discipline, including patents, copyright and intellectual property issues, and project planning and resource management techniques, in sufficient depth to enable you to carry out your activities to the required standard.
You will be fully aware of any health, safety and environmental requirements, and the appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks applicable to your area of responsibility. You will be required to ensure that safe working practices are maintained throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- confirm the aims and objectives of the research and identify any critical factors
- identify all the relevant factors that have an impact on the research methodology
- assess any potential constraints on the research and develop contingency plans to overcome them
- establish the benefits and opportunities of collaborating with others
- select the research methods that can effectively achieve the aims and objectives
- prioritise and schedule the research activities that are necessary
- calculate the resources and time scales required to implement the methodology
- produce detailed plans of the research and record them in the appropriate information systems
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to obtain and confirm the aims and objectives of the research
- the different types of area in which research can be undertaken by your organisation
- the types of factors that could have a critical effect on the methodology
- the types of constraint that could affect the research
- how to obtain and interpret information on regulations, directives and guidelines
- the regulations, directives and guidelines that could affect the research
- what should be included in contingency plans
- the advantages and disadvantages of collaborating with other organisations and people
- the various research methods that could be used, and where to obtain any specialist knowledge or expertise necessary for their application
- the statistical analysis techniques used on processes or data
- how to decide which are the most effective research methods
- how to determine the timescales required for the research
- how to prioritise and schedule research activities
- how to present research plans
- how to obtain information on resources
- how to assess the resources that are necessary
- how to assess the availability of resources
- the appropriate format for presenting the research methodology
- the company information systems for recording information
- the importance of using the company information systems
- the extent of your own authority, and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve.
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Obtain and confirm the aims and objectives of the research, from within one of the following areas:
- designs
- organisational requirements
- materials
- technology
- other specific area
Identify any critical factors and constraints that could affect the research, including three of the following:
- cultural acceptability of the activity
- organisational capability
- prestige
- personnel capabilities
- commercial implications
- external contracts
- timescales
- technology requirements
- environmental
- costs
- availability of resources/facilities
- safety
Select appropriate research methods, to include four of the following:
- tests (such as destruction, emission, audio/sound frequency, life expectancy, durability, vibration analysis, simulation)
- observation
- qualitative data analysis
- environmental study
- quantitative data analysis
- statistical analysis and sampling
- interview
- design of experiments (DoE)
- case study
- survey
- other specific methods
Prioritise and schedule all of the following into the research methodology:
- time
- documentation
- personnel
- benchmarks
- finance
- outcomes
- equipment
Calculate the resources necessary to implement the research, considering all of the following:
- personnel
- hardware and/or software
- equipment
- location/site facilities
- monitoring equipment/system
- contracts
- finances
Ensure that the methodology complies with three the following:
- organisational guidelines and procedures
- recognised compliance agency/body's standards, directives or codes of practice
- equipment manufacturer's operating specification/range
- customer standards and requirements
- health, safety and environmental requirements
- British, European or International standards or directives
Evaluate the outcome of your actions, and prepare detailed plans of the methodology, to include all of the following:
- aims and objectives of the research
- research method(s)
- research prioritised schedule
- resources required and timescales
- details of contingency plans for overcoming potential constraints
- assessment of the benefits and opportunities of collaborating with others
- any factors that have an impact on the research methodology
Record and communicate the research methodology to the appropriate people, using:
- a verbal report
plus one from the following:
2. electronic mail
3. computer generated report
4. computer-based presentation
5. specific company document
6. other appropriate media
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Additional Information
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment