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Research Process
Beginning a research assignment requires you to explore a broad topic and narrow it down. Developing a research question can guide your searches for information. See the linked file below for an example of narrowing a broad topic into a thesis statement.
- Research ProcessAn example of narrowing a broad topic to a research question.
Choosing a topic
Choosing an interesting and robust topic is essential to any successful research project. You can get ideas for topics from many places. One strategy that is particularly effective when you are new to a discipline or field is to browse the literature of the field. For those exploring marine engineering, magazines and trade publications are a nice place to start. Below are suggested magazines available through the Cal Maritime Library.
Magazines and Trade Journals for Marine Engineering
- (mt)Published by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
- Marine propulsion & auxiliary machineryAvailable in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
- Marine technology reporterAvailable in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library. Available freely online.
- Maritime reporter and engineering newsAvailable in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
- Passenger ship technologyAvailable in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
- Ship & boat internationalAvailable in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.