**3.4 E-research – E-design methodology**

Because the research activities are carried out in teams and because researchers are located in different places, there is a clear need for a precise methodology for communication research. These are supported by the TEAM CENTER software.

The stages of a research methodology are:

clear description of the problem;


The trend in terms of research and design centres is international cooperation and collaboration. These can be achieved by organizing virtual research and design centres.

The development of communications and computer technologies (ICT) offers the possibility of using the Internet in research design activities (E-design E-research), within virtual

Identification of the general objectives should only be made by taking into account the

Whenever goals are set for shorter terms, their planning can be achieved with better

 The organization of resources is much more efficient due to the wider access to human resources. Physical attendance is unnecessary, user on-line connectivity is sufficient; The realization phase in the virtual research centres is performed much faster due to

 The research results can better meet the initial needs because of on-line prototyping. Whenever the prototype development indicates a deviation from the proposed

 Cooperation in solving problems or discussions in the study group can be achieved through the forum or chat, virtual communities, international scientific collaboration

The major objective of the future research/design centres has to be the improvement in the

Future research-design centres can be viewed as appropriate mechanisms to establish links with world research, as well as to prevent the need for researchers to work "behind the walls". This could be a solution to stop the migration of researchers in countries who have a

A proposal for organizing a research-design activity within the virtual research-design centres was put forward in the domain of mechanical engineering and, more specifically, in

Because the research activities are carried out in teams and because researchers are located in different places, there is a clear need for a precise methodology for communication

Virtual events can take place in the virtual centre, in a chat room, or a forum;

**3.3 Trends in design-research centres** 

greater information transfer speed;

Advice can be provided via email, chat;

**3.4 E-research – E-design methodology** 

The stages of a research methodology are:

clear description of the problem;

via Web/Internet;

objectives, corrective action can be undertaken.

The system allows shared editing of documents.

performance of the centre for international exchange of knowledge.

the field of cutting tools, by using the E-creative design concept.

research. These are supported by the TEAM CENTER software.

much higher technological development of information and communication.

Virtual research combines a variety of activities, as follows:

Information retrieval is eased by the search capabilities of the platform;

centres (Kincheloe, 2006).

world trends;

accuracy;


The Industrial Engineering department from "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu did a research design platform focused on creativity. The main theoretical and practical issues of the research activity performed on this platform are presented below. For an easier understanding, an example was used.
