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Research Tools and Platforms

The right tools and platforms can significantly improve the quality, efficiency, and impact of your research. This section provides an overview of recommended systems, software, and digital resources that support research planning, data collection, analysis, publishing, and collaboration across EIT. 

1. Literature Search and Discovery Tools 

These tools help you find credible academic, technical, and industry sources. They support effective literature reviews by providing access to journals, conference papers, standards, and scholarly databases essential for engineering research. 

EIT Library Databases 

  • IEEE Xplore – journals, conference papers, and standards in electrical, computing, and automation engineering. 
  • Standards Online (SAI Global or similar) – Australian and international engineering standards (where licensed). 

Search Platforms 

  • Google Scholar – broad search engine for scholarly outputs. 
  • Scopus / Web of Science (if accessible via EIT partnerships) – citation tracking, metrics, and impact data. 

Reference Management 

  • EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero for organising references, generating bibliographies, and integrating citations into papers. 

2. Data Collection Tools 

Data collection tools enable the gathering of reliable quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods data. These include survey software, engineering instrumentation, interview tools, and digital capture systems aligned with research design and ethical requirements. 

For Quantitative Research 

  • Survey Platforms: Qualtrics, Microsoft Forms, Google Forms 
  • Instrumentation & Engineering Tools: 
    • Data loggers 
    • Industrial sensors 
    • SCADA-related tools 
    • Lab simulations (MATLAB, Simulink) 
  • Experimental Software: 
    • LabVIEW
    • Open-source measurement tools 
  • Specialised Devices: 
    • EEG headsets 
    • Wearables and IoT capture devices 
    • PLCs and automation components (depending on program) 

For Qualitative Research 

  • Interview Recording Tools: Teams, Zoom, audio recorders 
  • Transcription Tools: Otter.ai, Microsoft Stream transcription, or similar 
  • Qualitative Coding Software: NVivo (or open alternatives like Taguette) 

For Secondary Data 

  • Access to national datasets, engineering repositories, and regulatory sources relevant to EIT’s disciplines. 

3. Data Management and Storage Platforms 

These systems ensure your research data is stored securely, organised effectively, and managed according to EIT’s policies. They support version control, compliant storage, and long-term retention of research materials. Recommended systems include: 

Secure Storage 

  • EIT-approved cloud storage (OneDrive, SharePoint) 
  • Encrypted external drives (where permitted by policy) 

Version Control 

  • GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket for code, models, and simulations 
  • Structured folder naming and metadata practices (linked to EIT guidelines) 

Data Management Plans 

Templates provided through EIT’s Research Office to support planning, retention, and secure archiving. 

4. Data Analysis and Visualisation Tools 

These tools help you process, analyse, and interpret your data. Whether statistical, computational, or qualitative, they support rigorous analysis and enable the creation of professional visualisations and reports. 

Statistical Analysis 

  • SPSS, R, Python (NumPy, pandas, SciPy) 
  • MATLAB – especially for engineering modelling, signal processing, and simulation 
  • Excel – for basic analysis 

Qualitative Analysis 

  • NVivo or alternative coding software 
  • Thematic analysis frameworks and templates 

Visualisation & Reporting 

  • Tableau, Power BI, or Python visualisation libraries (matplotlib, plotly) 
  • Engineering visualisation using MATLAB and Simulink 
  • LaTeX or Microsoft Word templates for professional reporting 

5. Collaboration and Communication Platforms 

These platforms support communication with supervisors, peers, and external partners. They enable file sharing, virtual meetings, research discussions, and professional networking across internal and external channels. 

Internal Collaboration 

  • Microsoft Teams – official communication and meeting platform 
  • SharePoint – shared document spaces for research groups 
  • Outlook – formal communication and record-keeping 

External Research Presence 

  • ORCID – persistent researcher identifier 
  • ResearchGate or Academia.edu (optional) 
  • LinkedIn – for industry-facing dissemination 

Conferencing Tools 

  • Virtual presentation platforms (Zoom, Teams, Webex) 
  • Abstract and paper submission systems (EasyChair, CMT) 

6. Publishing and Citation Tools 

These tools help you prepare manuscripts, manage references, check academic integrity, and meet publisher requirements. They streamline the writing and submission process for journals, conferences, and theses. 

Manuscript Preparation 

  • Journal and conference templates (IEEE, Elsevier, ASME) 
  • LaTeX editors (Overleaf, TeXstudio) 
  • Word-based manuscript templates supplied by EIT or publishers 

Citation and Plagiarism Checking 

  • Turnitin (via LMS) to ensure academic integrity 
  • Referencing support through EIT Library 

7. Support and Training 

EIT provides ongoing workshops, online tutorials, supervisor guidance, and library support to help you build research skills and use tools effectively throughout your project lifecycle.  

EIT provides training in: 

  • Literature search strategies 
  • Referencing and citation management 
  • Research design and methodologies 
  • Data analysis workshops (quantitative and qualitative) 
  • Using research platforms (e.g. MATLAB, Teams, NVivo) 
  • Publishing and peer-review processes 

Tech Support: 

Whether you have forgotten a password, have trouble accessing our student management system, learning platform, or remote and virtual labs, we provide assistance with information technology queries during normal business hours. Your dedicated Learning Support Officer is always the key point of contact in seeking assistance.