Layered models of research methodologies

The status of research methodology employed by studies on the application of AI techniques to solving problems in engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing is poor. There may be many reasons for this status, including: unfortunate heritage from AI, poor educational system, and researchers’ sloppiness. Understanding this status is a prerequisite for improvement. The study of research methodology can promote such understanding, but, most importantly, it can assist in improving the situation. Concepts from the philosophy of science are introduced, and models of world views of science are built on them. These world views are combined with research heuristics or research perspectives and criteria for evaluating research to create a layered model of research methodology. This layered model can serve to organize and facilitate a better understanding of future studies of research methodologies. Many of the issues involved in the study of AI and AIEDAM research methodology using this layered model are discussed.