4. Experimentation and data collection: Use actuators, data acquisition equipment, and sensors
to create and measure system input and output signals, and vary experimental parameters as
needed to produce useful data
a. Recognize useful vs. useless measured signals and if necessary resolve issues such as
inadequate signal to noise ratio, resolution limitations, inadequate sample rate, and
clipping by varying experimental parameters.
b. Ensure useful frequency information can be obtained from a measured signal by
recognizing and removing aliasing by increasing the sample rate until the Nyquist
frequency is greater than the highest frequency present in the signal or by adding an
anti-aliasing filter to remove signal frequencies greater than the Nyquist frequency.
5. Data analysis: Draw conclusions from measurements using both numerical and analytical
methods
a. Use filtering to remove noise or signal at unwanted frequencies, e.g. to increase the
signal to noise ratio.
b. Create a parametric model from data by using curve fitting (parameter estimation) tools
to determine a function of best fit and the values of the best-fit parameters with
uncertainty and evaluate whether the assumed functional form is statistically significant
6. Communication: Communicate an experimental background, methods, results, and
conclusions through oral, visual, and written communication, including an abstract, in a style
and format suitable for publication in a refereed journal or presentation at a conference in the
field.
a. Present data in a graphical form acceptable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or
presentation at a professional conference in the field.