How do I properly cite shared raw data in my junior-level mechanical engineering lab report without violating the university's academic integrity policy regarding collaborative work?

When working on a collaborative project, it's essential to strike a balance between acknowledging the shared dataset and presenting your individual analysis. In your case, since you're a junior mechanical engineering student, you'll want to focus on clearly distinguishing between the data collection process and your own analysis. First, consider how you'll frame your methodology in the 'Results' section. You can start by describing the experimental setup and the data collection process as a group effort, using phrases like 'our group collected data using the following setup' or 'we used a combination of instruments to gather the following data.' This approach will help you acknowledge the shared dataset without implying that you didn't contribute to the analysis. Next, when discussing your individual analysis, use phrases like 'I analyzed the data using the following methods' or 'my analysis revealed the following trends.' This will help you establish a clear distinction between the data collection process and your own analysis. In terms of citations, you'll want to follow the IEEE citation guide provided by your TA. When citing the shared dataset, you can use a citation for the dataset as a whole, rather than citing individual team members. For example, you might cite the dataset as 'Data collected by our group' or 'Experimental data provided by our lab group.' To further clarify the distinction between group-generated data and individual analysis, consider including a brief statement in the 'Acknowledgments' section, where you thank your team members for their contributions to the data collection process. This will help you maintain academic integrity while also acknowledging the collaborative nature of the project. Remember to review your university's academic integrity policy and consult with your TA or instructor if you're unsure about any aspect of the citation process. By following these guidelines, you should be able to write a clear and concise 'Results' section that satisfies the rubric requirements for original analysis.