Research methods for the graduate student

In the College of Engineering and Architecture at North Dakota State University (NDSU), the authors have implemented a new course in research methods for their Ph.D. students. The general theme of the course is the elimination of all barriers to graduate student achievement that exist apart from the main task of learning and achieving within a research specialty. The student acquires the information and tools necessary to be successful: (i) in accomplishing the formalities of the degree programs; and (ii) in starting and sustaining research. As a class, engineering research philosophies, methods and ethics are studied. The student-advisor relationship is explored and help in formation of the student thesis committee is offered. Literature searches are introduced, and a philosophy of entering a specialty area is explored. This course has the potential for increasing graduate student retention and reducing overall faculty workload. As yet, this course is in its initial stages of development and results are preliminary, but the authors' hopes are high.