Data-driven engineering design research : opportunities using open data

Parraguez Ruiz, Pedro and Maier, Anja; Maier, Anja and Škec, Stanko and Kim, Harrison and Kokkolaras, Michael and Oehmen, Josef and Fadel, Georges and Salustri, Filippo and Van der Loos, Mike, eds. (2017) Data-driven engineering design research : opportunities using open data. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Engineering Design. Proceedings of the Design Society: International Conference on Engineering Design, 7 . The Design Society, CAN, pp. 41-50. ISBN 9781904670957 (https://www.designsociety.org/publication/39804/Da...)

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Abstract

Engineering Design research relies on quantitative and qualitative data to describe design-related phenomena and prescribe improvements for design practice. Given data availability, privacy requirements and other constraints, most empirical data used in Engineering Design research can bedescribed as “closed”. Keeping such data closed is in many cases necessary and justifiable. However, this closedness also hinders replicability, and thus, may limit our possibilities to test the validity and reliability of research results in the field. This paper discusses implications and applications of using the already available and continuously growing body of open data sources to create opportunities for research in Engineering Design. Insights are illustrated by an examination of two examples: a study of open source software repositories and an analysis of open business registries in the cleantech industry. We conclude with a discussion about the limitations, challenges and risks of using open data in Engineering Design research and practice.

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