Primary Source Analysis
Learn
Engineers use many types of documents and data to guide their designs. In this lesson, you will learn how to read and analyze primary sources such as design sketches, test data tables, engineering reports, and patent drawings. Understanding these sources helps you think like an engineer.
Types of Engineering Primary Sources
- Design Sketches: Drawings that show what a design looks like and how it works
- Test Data Tables: Organized information showing results from tests and experiments
- Engineering Reports: Written documents that explain the design process and results
- Patent Drawings: Official diagrams that show how an invention works
- Material Specifications: Lists of materials and their properties
How to Analyze Engineering Sources
- Identify what type of source it is
- Look for the main purpose of the document
- Find the key data or information
- Ask: What problem was being solved?
- Consider: What can you learn from this source?
Examples
Work through these examples to see how to analyze engineering documents.
Example: Reading a Test Data Table
An engineer tested three different paper airplane designs to see which flew the farthest:
| Design | Trial 1 (feet) | Trial 2 (feet) | Trial 3 (feet) | Average (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dart | 22 | 25 | 24 | 23.7 |
| Glider | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19.0 |
| Wide Wing | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16.0 |
Analysis: The Dart design flew the farthest on average. Multiple trials help ensure the results are reliable.
✏️ Practice
Test your understanding with these practice questions.
Practice Questions
0/3 correctWhat is the scientific method's first step?
A hypothesis is:
Which is a property of matter?
Check Your Understanding
Test yourself with these review questions. Click each question to reveal the answer.
1. What is a primary source in engineering?
Answer: A primary source is an original document or data created during the engineering process, such as design sketches, test results, or engineering reports.
2. Why do engineers conduct multiple trials when testing a design?
Answer: Multiple trials help ensure that results are reliable and not due to chance. If a design works well in one trial but poorly in another, the engineer knows more testing is needed.
3. What information can you learn from a design sketch?
Answer: A design sketch shows what the design looks like, its parts, how it is assembled, and sometimes how it works. It helps communicate ideas to others.
4. In the paper airplane test data, which design had the most consistent results?
Answer: The Wide Wing design had the most consistent results, with trials ranging from 15-17 feet (a 2-foot difference). The Dart had a 3-foot range between trials.
5. What is the purpose of calculating an average from test data?
Answer: Calculating an average gives a single number that represents the typical result. It helps compare different designs fairly when there is variation between trials.
6. How is an engineering report different from a test data table?
Answer: A test data table shows numbers and measurements in an organized format. An engineering report uses words to explain the design process, what was tested, what the results mean, and what conclusions were reached.
7. What should you look for first when analyzing an engineering document?
Answer: First, identify what type of document it is and what problem it is trying to solve. This helps you understand the purpose of the information.
8. Why are labels important on design sketches?
Answer: Labels help others understand what each part of the design is and what it does. Without labels, viewers might misunderstand the design or its purpose.
9. If test results do not match what an engineer expected, what should they do?
Answer: The engineer should analyze why the results were different. They might need to redesign, run more tests, check for errors, or reconsider their original assumptions.
10. How can analyzing other engineers' work help you with your own designs?
Answer: Studying other designs teaches you what works and what does not. You can learn from others' successes and mistakes, get new ideas, and understand different approaches to solving problems.
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review