Citation

Pyrialakou VD, Diefes-Dux HA, Gkritza K. Transp. Res. Rec. 2017; 2614: 10-17.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3141/2614-02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The literature recognizes that the initial stages of a research project, including identifying and selecting a research topic, are the most challenging steps of project development for college students in the United States. Nevertheless, very limited literature exists on topic identification and selection, especially for undergraduate studies. TRB has built and maintains an extensive research needs statements (RNS) database. There is great potential for using this database as a tool to assist undergraduate and graduate students in transportation-related disciplines in selecting a research topic. This paper presents a case for using the RNS database for topic identification and selection in an introductory transportation engineering course for undergraduates at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The students used the RNS database for the term design project. Data were collected through a survey distributed at the end of the course that aimed to solicit students' feedback on their experiences using the database. The responses to the survey, along with other relevant information, were analyzed to explore the benefits of using the RNS database in a course. The findings of this study suggest that the students had a positive perception of the database. Both the instructor and the students found many benefits of using the database for finding topics for term projects. This paper provides recommendations based on the students' feedback, the instructor's experience, and the study findings. These recommendations should be considered by instructors who decide to use the RNS database for educational purposes, as well as by TRB staff tasked with maintaining the database.

Language: en