How can you identify original and relevant mechanical engineering research questions?

1 Explore the literature

One of the first steps to finding a good research question is to review the existing literature on your topic of interest. You can use databases, journals, books, conference proceedings, and other sources to find out what has been done, what is being done, and what are the gaps and challenges in the field. You can also look for trends, controversies, debates, and emerging topics that may spark your curiosity and interest. By exploring the literature, you can learn from the previous and current research, avoid duplication, and identify potential areas for improvement or innovation.

2 Define your scope and purpose

Another step to finding a good research question is to define your scope and purpose. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, why you want to do it, and how you will do it. You can use the SMART criteria to help you formulate your research question. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your research question should be specific enough to address a particular aspect of your topic, measurable enough to be tested and evaluated, achievable enough to be completed within your resources and constraints, relevant enough to be meaningful and valuable to the field, and time-bound enough to have a realistic deadline.

3 Consult your supervisor and peers

A third step to finding a good research question is to consult your supervisor and peers. You can benefit from the feedback, advice, and support of your supervisor, who can guide you through the research process, suggest relevant sources and methods, and help you refine your question. You can also benefit from the input, opinions, and perspectives of your peers, who can offer you different insights, ideas, and critiques. You can consult your supervisor and peers through meetings, emails, online forums, or other communication channels. By consulting your supervisor and peers, you can validate your research question, avoid pitfalls, and improve your quality and rigor.

4 Use question frameworks

A fourth step to finding a good research question is to use question frameworks. Question frameworks are tools that can help you generate, structure, and refine your research question. There are different types of question frameworks, such as PICO, SPICE, FINER, PICOT, and others. Each framework has its own components and criteria that can help you define your research question. For example, PICO stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. You can use this framework to formulate a research question that compares the effects of different interventions on a specific population and outcome. By using question frameworks, you can ensure that your research question is clear, coherent, and comprehensive.

5 Evaluate your research question

A final step to finding a good research question is to evaluate your research question. You need to check if your research question meets the standards of originality, relevance, feasibility, and ethics. Your research question should be original enough to add something new to the field, relevant enough to address a significant problem or opportunity, feasible enough to be carried out within your limitations and expectations, and ethical enough to respect the rights and interests of your participants and stakeholders. You can use checklists, rubrics, or other tools to help you evaluate your research question. By evaluating your research question, you can ensure that your research question is valid, reliable, and worthwhile.

6 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?