Research Methods and Presentation
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Contents
proposal Contents
Proposal preparation
Final thesis/project paper
2
Main contents of a Complete Proposal
Main components of a Proposal
Cover page
Executive summary(abstract)
Introduction :
Literature review
Problem statement and justification
Objectives
Methodology
Expected outputs (Optional)
Time table
Budget
References
3
Cover page
Includes :
Name of organization
Logo of organization
Title of the project: it should researchable, latest
Name of member of the project/proposal
Date of submission
4
Executive summary(Abstract)
It is brief summary of the project/proposal/research/thesis
It is the first part that is read
Sometimes the only part that is read
Summary of
what to do?
Where to ..?
For whom to ..?
With whom ..
For how long ..?
What quantitative results are delivered
• Never include in the ppt presentation
• Write it last
• Do it carefully
• Keep it short , Smart 5
Introduction :
Historical background
Historical developments from early to latest
Historical developments from the very general to a very
specific
Includes General , specific and Elementary concepts
Who else operates and do in this field
Who ever took such an initiative previously
If continuing from previous, include the previous results
6
Literature review
Review of previously done projects, researches, thesis
Review of published books chapter or specific topic
Taking the review and writing in your own word
Summarizing the major findings of the paper/project/
chapter
Finding and searching a gap to be done
Identifying researchable parameters
Put like [ ] , author name
In [1, 2, 3, . . . ],
Name of Author,
7
Problem statement and justification
Once you find a gap to be filled from the literature
review, put the statement of the problem
Describe the scope and size of the problem and gap to
be solved
State the immediate causes, effects
Justify how the causes, effects, affect the environment
and the people
Why does it have to be addressed
State and justify what motivates you to do
8
Objectives/goal
Describes the long term –objective/goal your project will
contribute or solve
Classified in to general and specific objective
General objective:
statement of the objective in a very general form
It is stated like ‘the main objective of the project/ reserch is ..’
Specific objectives:
describes the project objectives in response to the core problem
It is specific,
Measurable
Achievable and Acceptable,
relevant to the problem statement and
Timely
SMART
9
Methodology (1)
Shows how objective will be achieved
The stepwise representation of the procedure to be followed
to achieve the objectives
Main contents :
Show the procedure followed to achieve Objective:
Material Collection,
Materials Used ,
Data Collection strategy,
Data analysis Method ,
System Modelling and Simulation Mechanism,
Demonstration and Presentation,
Result Delivery Mechanism
10
Methodology (2)
Partners – main partners , area of intervention, type of
partnership you set up, partners role,
Project implementation structure- roles and
responsibilities of all the project stockholders. Use a
chart to show the project implementation structure
Activities: what will be done?, how ?,where?,…?
- be as precise as possible, cluster activities by expected
results, use work plan to summarize
Risks and assumptions
Means : human recourses (explain the responsibility of
each key person) , material resources
11
Expected results/outputs
Put overall and general expected output of the
project
Impact of the project result on the
Environment
Scientific world
Human life
Society/public/world
12
Time table
Put the allocated time for the project
Starting time- end time
Use tabular form and break down in to days/ weeks with
their respective tasks/ activities
S/n Activities Allocated Remark
Time
1 Data Collection 2 weeks/
2
13
Budget
Budget spreadsheet
Budget explanations and justifications
Prepare it using your action plan
Carefully follow donor’s requirement
Divide your budget in to specific activities / tasks and
days/weeks/ months/years
14
Reference
Include all references that you have used
Put all your references in sequence form
Acknowledge all concepts, statements , figures take from
any reference
Missing any acknowledgment leads academic plagiarism
Reference may be published papers(IEEE journals,..),
book chapters, previously worked projects
Reference Format :
[ 1 ] author Name , ‘title of the paper/published book in
italics’, publisher, time of publication
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Assignment
Based on the Discussion and Considering the Contents of a
complete proposal, Prepare a Proposal:
1. Form a group of maximum of three Students
2. Choose any technically Fit Title from your Courses or any
related title
3. Come up with Written document not more than five pages
(20 pts) and power point Presentation not more than ten
slides (15 pts)
4. Submission Date (?)
16
Logical Sequence of final
thesis/project paper
17
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (1)
Title page
Declaration/Signature page
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Content
List of Figures
List of Tables
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Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (1)
Abbreviation
Chapter One. Introduction
Chapter Two. Theoretical Background of the Chosen
Topic
Chapter Three. System Model and Simulation
Chapter Five. Conclusion and Future Work
References/Bibliography
Appendices :
19
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (2)
Cover Page / Title Page
20
Logical Sequence … (3) Abstract:
In writing abstract, the following points should be taken into
account
In the first paragraph, introduce the technology currently
available highlighting its features and its limitations. This should
be related to the topic chosen.
In the second paragraph, try to put information about how your
work is going to address the limitations
In the third paragraph, highlight about the outcome of the
research along with its unique features
The abstract is to be in fully-justified italicized text
The abstract shouldn’t exceed more than 200 words 21
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (4)
Chapter One. Introduction
Background
Literature review
Statement of the problem
Objectives
General Objectives
Specific Objectives
Methodology
Organization of thesis/project: Number of Chapters, Title of each
chapter
22
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (5)
Chapter Two. Theoretical Background of the Chosen Topic
definition of important terms
Basic Concepts
Fundamental Equations, Figures, Diagrams etc
Chapter Three. System Model and Simulation
Theoretical Representation of new Concepts
Mathematical Model
Diagrammatical Model
Important parameter definition
23
Computer simulation Model
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (6)
Chapter Four. Results and Discussion
Simulation software,
Simulation and analysis parameters (Table form)
Set reference for results Comparison
Put result in either Diagram, graph, any Picture or Table
Discuss for each result
Chapter Five. Conclusion and Future Work
Conclusion/ Summary
Recommendation / Future work
24
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (7)
References/Bibliography
In writing bibliography, the following format is usually used.
[1] Author Name, “Title of paper/article/book”, place of publication, publisher
name, volume number, issue number, year of publication
Example:
i. for periodicals
[1] H. Kim, M. Harke, R. Lorenz, “Sensorless Control of Interior Permanent
Magnet Machine Drives with Zero-Phase Lag Position Estimation,” IEEE
Transactions On Industry Applications, Vol 39, No 6, November/December
2003, pp. 1726-1733.
ii. for books
[1] A.E. Fitzgerald, J.C. Kingsly, and S.D. Umans, “Electric Machinery” Tata-
McGraw- Hill Edition, Delhi, sixth-edition, 2003 25
Logical Sequence of final thesis/project paper (7)
Appendices :
Soft ware Codes
Important Constants
Tabular Values
Complex Equations
Some times Field Data for reference
26
Additional Tips (1)
Consider the following points as well in preparing the
final thesis/ Project paper.
Set 1" margins for top, bottom, left, and right
Signature page, Title page, and Abstract are on
separated page
Page numbers are at the bottom center of the page
and use size 10
Use "Time New Roman" or equivalent font, size 12,
for the final thesis body (starting from the Abstract
page) with exceptions for equations, the command
script files, outputs from the software
tools/computers, etc. 27
Additional Tips (2)
Use Courier New or equivalent font,
size 10, for the command script files, outputs from
the software tools/computers, etc.
Except for the Signature page and Title page, all text in
the report must be fully-justified and single-line
spacing.
The abstract is to be in fully-justified italicized text
Place one additional blank line between paragraphs
28
Additional Tips (3)
Figures and tables must be numbered separately and
capitalize only the first letter of the first word of
each.
For example: “Figure 1. Hardware block”, “Table 1.
Input test pattern”. Figure captions are to be centered
below the figures. Table titles are to be centered above
the tables
Use footnotes sparingly (or not at all!) and place
them at the bottom of the page on which they are
referenced. Use Times 10-point type, single-spaced
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INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
& THE METHODOLOGY
17 June 2024
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
30
1
7
J
u
n Research?
e
2
0
A careful investigation for new facts in any branch of
2
4 knowledge
Redman and Mory: Research is a systematic effort to gain
new knowledge
31
1
7 Research?
J
u
n
e Clifford Woody: Research-
2
0 defining and redefining problems, formulating
2
4 hypothesis/objectives;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
making deductions and reaching conclusions;
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit
the formulating hypothesis/objectives
32
1
7 Why do research?
J
u
n
Desire to get a research degree along with its
e
2 consequential benefits
0
2 Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
4
problems
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
Desire to be of service to society
Desire to get respectability
Directives of government, employment conditions etc.
33
1
7 Why do research?...
J
u
n
e
Validate intuition
2
0
Improve methods
2
4
Demands of the Job
For publication/patent
34
1
7
J
Choose a Research subject
u
n Based on an idea
e
2
0 Based on your experience
2
4
Based on your reading
Originality
35
The important features of a research
design
A plan
Specify the sources & types of information relevant
to the research problem
A strategy
Which approach will be used for gathering and
analyzing the data
The time and budgets
Most studies are done under these two constraints
36/42
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Systematic- All steps must be inter related- one to
another
Logical- Agreeing with the principles of logic
Empirical -Conclusions should be based on
evidences/observations
Objectivity- It must answer the research questions
Replicable- reproducible
Transmittable
Quality control- Accurate measurements
All well designed and conducted research has
potential application
1
7
J
Define Your objectives
u
n
e Try to keep these simple
2
0 The more variables the more difficult
2
4 Use the opportunity
Get help at this stage
Senior colleagues
Experienced researchers
38
Literature search
Check to see if your idea is original
Get articles
Read articles and their references
Most of these will be vital when writing up reports
Find gap areas
Find obsolete measurements and results
Define objectives of the study
39
Steps involved in a research
Choose a subject
Literature survey
Defining and formulation of specific objectives
Prepare Synopsis/Hypothesis
Procuring of suitable apparatus/materials
Design of experimental set up
Preliminary experiments
Execution of the project
Accurate measurements/data collection
40
Steps involved in a research…
Data analysis and error compounding
Hypothesis testing and verification
Results and discussion
Generalization, interpretation and drawing
conclusions
Preparation of the project report or writing thesis
41
The Process of Research
2
5
4 3
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Research article writing
Find suitable/specified journals Results and discussion
Get copy of Instructions to Conclusions
authors Acknowledgements
Prepare article as per References
instructions
Select suitable titles
Authors and affiliations
Abstract
Highlights
Novelty statements
Introduction
Materials and methods
43
Authorship/ethics
All authors should directly involved in entire study
Article is free from plagiarism
Should follow ethics
44
A Research Report
A Research Report generally include:
Introduction and Statement of problem
Review of relevant literature
Statement of hypothesis or research objectives
Theoretical resume
Description of research design
Description Experimental design
Description of measurement and data analysis
Error compounding
Presentation of Results
Discussion
Conclusion, limitations, and implications
Suggestions for future work
Acknowledgements
References cited
Appendices
Types of research
1. Based on Application- Pure and Applied Research
Applied- Finding solutions for immediate problems facing a
society/industry
Pure- Concerned with generalization and formulation of a theory
2. Based on Inquiry Mode- Quantitative and qualitative
Quantitatative- Measurements of quantity or amount
Qualitative- Concerned with qualitative phenomena (reasons for
human behavior)
46
1
7
J
Other category of Research Studies
u
n Based on research objectives:
e
2
0 Exploratory or formulative research- To gain
2 familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
4 insights into it
descriptive research- To study accurately the
characteristics of a particular individual, situation
or a group-includes survey
47
1
7
J
Research Studies
u
n Diagnostic research- To determine the frequency
e with which something occurs or with which it is
2
associated with something else
0
2 hypothesis-testing research- To test a hypothesis
4 of a causal relationship between variables
48
“Science is not belief,
but the will to find out.”
THANK YOU
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