Title: 2.1 Phase 2 Research and Investigate Lesson
Course: ATEP - MMT: Module A: > Section: PHASE 2 RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATE

2.1.1 Research and Investigate

Research and investigate both the problem you are attempting to resolve and the possibility of other existing solutions.

2.1.2 Review Existing Information

Virtually all technological problems are researched before they are solved. In  this phase, you search for and discuss solutions that currently exist for the problem and similar problems. In the process, you will learn a lot about good and bad solutions. The majority of  work in the design process is spent reviewing existing information to find out if it applies to your project.

In the course of  research, you will need to identify problems, issues, and questions that relate to addressing the product design.  In addition, you will need to collect data about the materials you plan on using, about the performance of the design, other designs, and then rate alternatives against one another.  A design matrix is usually very helpful as it can be used to compare ideas along with criteria or constraints.  Reviewing the design requirements can help identify questions that need to be answered in order to come up with a solution.

As discussed in Phase 1, market research is done by asking potential customers to fill out a questionnaire (survey) to determine their preferences.  The results of this type of research will help to determine the final outcome of the product by designing the product to appeal to the greatest number of people. Research and development (R&D) are part of the design problem-solving method to both create and improve existing products.  Charting the information obtained from the survey will help to clearly show the requirements and limitations which can then be added to the specifications and constraints in the engineering notebook.

In the course of research, identifying other problems, issues, and questions that relate to the problem you are working on will be exposed.  For example:  Who is the end user?  What are the needs of the end user that you must consider?  What is the size and shape that must be considered? Are there any physical or social considerations? Does the color or texture make a difference?  Research not only gives you information about how to accomplish something, but also how not to proceed to avoid problems.

2.1.3 Where to Look for Information

There are a variety of places to look for information about ideas. Internet search engines like Bing, Google, Yahoo, Ask and others will reveal similar ideas by inserting search parameters (key word search and Boolean Operators) that fit the project.

A key word search is the method of using the most defining terms for what you are looking for over the Internet.  For instance, if you are looking for information about gate latches, you would use the terms gate and latch to search.  However, you might also want to include terms such as "hook, slide bolt, lock or hardware."

Boolean operators (as shown on the right) define the relationships between words or groups of words.  The purpose of using Boolean operators is:
- to focus a search, particularly when your topic contains multiple search terms.
- to connect various pieces of information to find exactly that for which you are looking.

In many (but not all databases) the AND is implied. For example, Google automatically puts an AND in between your search terms.

By changing the search engine or the search parameters, the list of resulting websites to look at will also change as each search engine is designed to search for different objects and words in various places of the web pages. For more information on searching the internet, go to:    How Search Engines Work  and The Search Engine List.

The internet also offers access to the U.S. Patent Office (uspto.gov) where you can search, using keywords that identify the product, to find if someone has already created and has a patent on the idea or if one is "pending."

More information about patents can be found at http://uspto.gov/patents/resources/general_info_concerning_patents.jsp.

Experts in the field, who have experience in the type of design that is being pursued, are a very valuable resource and should not be overlooked.  Firsthand knowledge will give you the most up-to-date information obtainable.  Remember that information about similar products can give insight into your own product.

Library research offers information through books, magazines, thesis papers and newspaper articles. They will also have access to scholarly research papers and on-line databases.

Visits to retail and wholesale stores that sell products similar to the one you are designing along with viewing their catalogs will give you ideas as to what is already available to the consumer.

Potential customers (end users) should also be surveyed to determine the wants and needs of the population that will be using the product. Creating a graph of the survey results will help to present possible constraints in a method that is visual.

Knowledge note:

Companies often restrict access to their product and process information to keep competitors from duplicating and underselling them.  Known as "proprietary information" or "trade secrets," companies often limit access to both outsiders and employees.  In some cases, employees must sign a "non-disclosure" contract to protect the owners from having their methods and research given to competitors.  Very often,  companies will also have their employees sign an agreement when they are hired that they promise not to leave and go to work for a competitive company, or start their own company, using information obtained from their job.