Research Project Guidelines 2016

Guidelines for
Graduation/ Research Projects

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Contents

Guidelines for...................................................................................................................................................1
Graduation/ Research Projects........................................................................................................................1
1..................................................................................................................Objective of Research Project
................................................................................................................................................................. 3
2........................................................................................................................Scope of Research Project
................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3......................................................................................................................Potential areas of research
................................................................................................................................................................. 3
4.......................................................................................................................Stages of Research Project
................................................................................................................................................................. 4
5..................................................................................................................Calendar for research project
................................................................................................................................................................. 8
6.........................................................................................................................................Word of advice
................................................................................................................................................................. 9
7................................................................................................Logistics of approving appropriate topics
................................................................................................................................................................. 9
8......................................................................Format for documenting final topics with sponsor details
................................................................................................................................................................. 9
9............................................................................Expected student learning from the Research Project
................................................................................................................................................................. 9
10..............................................................................................................Expected outcomes/benefits
............................................................................................................................................................10
11.........................................................................................................................Sponsorship of Project
............................................................................................................................................................10
12.....................................Number of students taking Research Projects - Individual or team projects
............................................................................................................................................................10
13.................................................................................................................................................Guides
............................................................................................................................................................10
14................................................................................................................................Evaluaton matrix
............................................................................................................................................................11
15.........................................................................................................................Criteria for evaluation
............................................................................................................................................................11
16.....................................................................................................................................Details on Jury
............................................................................................................................................................14
17................................................................................................................................Award Categories
............................................................................................................................................................16

Reference: Document prepared by Prof Prabir Jana in 2003

 1. Objective of Research Project

A research project (RP) is a research based project done by the students in the final Semester
(final semester) in partal fulfillment of their degree. The purpose of the project is to integrate the
learning of the students of the last semesters through research/experimentaton in the chosen
area by the applications of technology in apparel manufacturing.

2. Scope of Research Project

Students may take up projects within the scope of fundamental research or applied research.
Fundamental research is an actvity designed to broaden scientific and technical knowledge not
directly linked to industrial or commercial objectves. Applied research is designed for the
purpose of producing results that may be applied to real world situatons.

Therefore, the Research Projects maybe any of the following –

1) Projects which studies the relatonship and/or applicability of theories or principles to
the soluton of a problem which is either organization specific or industry specific.
2) A careful investgaton or scientific research into a subject in order to discover facts, to
establish or devise/revise a theory/hypothesis.
3) A survey based research of an industry phenomenon, trend or an issue of concern.
4) Research done with an eye towards making products/software applications
that can be commercialized, or at least made available for practical benefit.
5) Any research which is used to answer a specific question, determine why
something failed or succeeded, solve a specific, pragmatc problem, or to gain beter
understanding.

The research project is not –

1) An additonal Industry placement after summer internship.
2) An opportunity provided to factories to get piece meal work done from students,
which may not fulfill the Department’s RP requirements.

3. Potential areas of research

Few Suggested Areas for Research Project are:

 Productvity Measurement and Improvement techniques.
 Fit analysis
 Quality Measurement and Improvement Methods.
 Implementation of any Production or Quality System.
 Product Development Process for new/unexplored products.
 Product/Process Re-engineering
 Sizing
 Research on new products/technology/processes.
  Technical evaluaton and/or implementaton of MIS/ERP/CAD systems.
 Software Design and Development covering various functions in an apparel firm.
 System Analysis and Design
 Retail / Vendor management
 Merchandising
 Human Resource Management
 Corporate Social responsibility
 E Commerce
 Compliance issues such as social, environmental and technical
 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
 Process automaton for productivity and/or quality improvement etc.

4. Stages of Research
Project

There are four stages of Research Project

Stage I Preliminary
 Identification of Topic
 Identification of Sponsor
 Development of research proposal
 Allotment of Faculty guide

Stage II Planning
 Literature Study
 Design and development of Research Methodology
 Submission of documentation of first
three chapters Chapter 1 Introducton
Chapter 2 Review of Literature
Chapter 3 Methodology

Stage III Execution

 Field work
 Analysis
 Report writng

Stage 4: Assessment & evaluation

Stage I: Preliminary
1) Identification of Topic

Student shall identfy suitable topics for the project. For this purpose they shall need to do
extensive reading of literature available (this includes projects done in similar areas both in NIFT and
in other institutes), interact with faculty and industry people.

The commitee of department faculty members shall collectvely provide feedback on the proposed
topics submitted by the students. This should be undertaken in Sept- Oct 2018
Students may be advised not to undertake a specific topic due to certain reasons like duplicaton of
topic, limitation of reference material on the subject or perceived dificulty for the partcular
student in undertaking the project.

Alternately the faculty of the department may have some topic in mind and ofer to the class or
directly assign the topic to a student/student group based on subject of the topic and capability of
the student.

Decision of the commitee will be final in the selecton of RP

topic.

Since the students have already been associated with the industry they should identify the area
of work and the CC and the faculty guide should help them shape the topic as per the objective of
the department and research project. Student should formulate clear research proposal.

2) Identification of Sponsor

This shall be done by the students with departmental concurrence. Student may interact with
prospective sponsors and obtain sponsorships in tune with departmental policy. The finalizaton of
sponsorship shall be done with endorsement of the departmental head and formal acceptance in
writing shall be obtained by the students from the sponsor and deposit the same with the
departmental head.
As part of GP drive the students are given opportunity to interact the potential Sponsor. The
students should identfy the one in line with their area of research interest with help of CC.

3) Development of research proposal

The student are required to prepare a detailed research proposal which involves introduction to
the topic to be investigated, spell out objectves of the project with the proposed
methodology to be followed, indicate the plan of work, resources required, budget of expenses,
formal details of sponsors etc.
Format of the Proposal
- Introduction and Justification of the topic
- Objectves of the research
 - Review of Literature
- Proposed Methodology
- Time Plan & Budget
- Resources Required in terms of sponsorship, organization support,
equipments/infrastructure requirements etc.

The research proposal will be atested by a commitee of departmental faculty . Acceptance by this
committee will convey approval of the concept note and the authorization to proceed to the next
stages of project work. This activity should be completed latest by 1st week January 2015

4) Allotment of
Faculty Guide

After approval of concept note, the guide for each project shall be alloted. From this point
onwards the students are required to be in continuous touch with their guide on the progress of
the project. The guide has a role of a facilitator and showing academic directon than of editing or
rewrite the report.

it is essential to have an industry guide from that sponsor organization to facilitate the work. In
some cases an additional specialist guide may be alloted to a student. This will be in addition to NIFT
faculty guide who will have the main responsibility of the project. Faculty guide and student
group(s) may mutually decide the schedule for meetng.

Stage 2: Planning
1) Literature study

The body of literature studied is based on secondary source of data. Students should use the
library extensively. Review of literature will help them understand the existng extent of research
done on the same topic; understand other research approaches and it will also help the students to
save precious tme in not doing repettve work.

2) Design and development of Research Methodology

Students shall review the available body of literature and determine the methodology by which the
project will be executed. Students are required to identify the various research methods and tools
that will be employed.
 3) Submission of first 3 chapters of Report.

At this stage students will commence the documentation task by preparing the first chapter of the
report of the study as follows
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Review of
Literature Chapter 3:
Methodology
These chapters shall be submited on or before a midterm review.

The submited report will be veted by a departmental commitee and improvements if any shall be
communicated to the students who will be obliged to carry out the same. The Feedback shall be
provided during the midterm review. Student may proceed to the next stage of work after the
approval is conveyed along with the feedback.

Stage 3: Execution
1) Field work and Data collection
This involves the collecton of preliminary data, carrying out actual experiments and compilation of
results.

2) Analysis
This involves the analysis of preliminary data and the analysis and carrying out actual experiments
and compilaton of result with supportive discussion and conclusions.

3) Report writing
On a due date draft report along with a synopsis must be submited duly printed in 3 copies in
unbound form for the viva-voce. Students are also required to prepare presentaton for the
industry. If the draft report is not found satisfactory, faculty guide many not allow the student to
appear for viva-voce and/or the presentaton.

Stage 4: Assessment & Evaluation

1) Viva –voce
Students shall undergo an interactive viva-voce for approximately 20 mins, between the student
and a panel of experts/faculty members to evaluate the overall performance of a student at the
end of the project. The details of the viva-voce and evaluation criteria are mentoned below.

2) Submission of Final Report

The students are required to submit two sets of the report in hard and soft copy (2 final hard
bound copies of report and 2 final soft copies on CD).
5. Calendar for research project:

RP ACTIVITY(2017-2018) DATES
Briefng students about RP to students Completed by 2nd week September

Identifying students groups, areas of interest and at least 3 Completed by 3rd September
potential concept notes
Submission of 3 concept notes Completed by end September
Letters to the companies and inviting them over for RPs Initiating end September
RP confirmations & Guide allocations October end
Students to get in touch with companies to fnalize projects Nov-Dec

Semester opening 8th Jan 2018

Research Methodology Classes for finalization of Research 8th Jan - 19th Jan 2018
project proposal
Students report to companies with fnalized proposals 22nd Jan 2018
Midterm review for the progress of the projects 19th – 27th February, 2018
(5th week after commencement of RP)
Completion of the GP 20th April 2018
(18 week after commencement of RP) (Target completion of research work by
4 weeks before mid term 14th April 2018 and documentation by
1.5 week of mid term 21st April .Placement starts from 23rd April
7.5 weeks post mid term 2018)
2 weeks of documentation (during placement ) 3Weeks of internal
external end term jury evaluation
Explore placement possibilities with the companies they are Before 15th April 2018
doing their RPs
End Term Internal Jury * 7th to 11th May 2018
End Term External Jury 21st - 25th May 2018
Internal juries planned on 9th & 10th May
should have external juries on 19th & 20th
May 2018.giving students a weeks time to
improve on their work
 6. Expected student learning from the Research Project

1) It gives the students the capabilities to independently plan and execute projects.
2) Students will be able to put into practice some of the learning that has been
taught throughout the course.
3) The students will be able to use their creative skills towards problem solving.
4) The project will help students develop skills of analysis and integraton along with
develop an awareness of existng literature and communicate the same in writen and oral
modes.
5) It will provide the student with a transiton experience from managing exam based tasks
to
more project based tasks.

7. Expected outcomes/benefits

1) Results of the projects will have practcal value and significance for industry and
the institute as a whole.
2) It will help create a bank of knowledge that will add value to teaching and classroom
learning.
3) The outcomes of the projects will aid in developing teaching material, publish
papers and case studies.
4) it should be encouraged that the research work is converted in to publishable article
or research paper for the conferences/ seminar/ journals / magazines etc .

8. Sponsorship of Project

The students s h o u l d undertake project that are sponsored by interested organizations. The
interested organizations could be any one from among the following; export organizations,
domestc manufacturers, consultants, retail organizaton, Information Technology enabled solutions
and services, government insttutions, financial institutions, trade bodies, etc. Sponsorship of the
project entails that the sponsor will cooperate to provide all necessary formalites to the student(s)
to carry out the project work in the premises, will nominate a suitable executve to function as an
external/ industry guide to the student and will incur the costs of the project.

9. Number of students taking Research Projects - Individual or team projects

Students may execute the research project individually or in team at bachelors level however
teams may not exceed two students. The department reserves the right to change/ alter team
composition on merits. The department also reserves the right to direct students to work on the
project individually as per merits. Students should not be encouraged to work in larger groups as
it makes the evaluation of such projects dificult.

13.Guides

Faculty Guide
He/ She will be a member of the department and be overall supervisor of the student’s work. The

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guide shall only act as sounding-board to the student and will guide the students in the technical
aspects of the project. Faculty guides will be alloted to each group on the basis of project area,
expertise and interest area of the faculty. Students shall report to the faculty guide at least once
every week during the several stages of project work.
Industry Guide
He /She shall be a nominee of the sponsoring organization. He /She shall be a person suficiently
senior in the organization and facilitate or co-ordinate the students obligatons in the project
within the organization. The industry facilitator may not have any responsibilites for
technical guidance to the student.
Expert Guide- Co Guide
If deemed necessary by the Department an expert guide in the field may be nominated to
provide additional technical support to the student. He/ She shall function in close liaison with the
faculty guide. The student will have to report to him as frequently as deemed necessary by the
faculty guide. The expert guide shall not have any obligaton to discharge the main supervisory role
which is vested only in the faculty guide.The expert guide may be from the sponsoring organization
or any freelance subject mater expert/academics mutually identified by the student and faculty
guide.

14. Evaluation matrix

Evaluation matrix Marks
Internal Guide / Mentor 20 Marks
Internal Jury
Mid Semester 10 Marks 20 Marks
End Semester 10 Marks

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Industry Feedback / external Mentor 20 Marks
External Jury 40 Marks
TOTAL 100 Marks.

15. Criteria for evaluation

Internal Guide / Mentor- 20 Marks to be evaluated on the following parameters for
5 marks each
 Timely Report,
 Synopsis & Literature study / Methodology,
 Documentaton and
 Work content & Eforts Taken

Internal Jury
Mid semester- 10 Marks to be evaluated on the following parameters for 2.5 marks each
 Comprehension
 Extent of Review of Literature
 Understanding of subject mater / Clarity of Research work
 Research Plan / Approach to problem solving

End Term - 10 Marks to be evaluated on the following parameters for 2.5 marks each
 Documentaton & Presentation
 Achieving Objectves & Project Approach
 Analysis & Conclusion
 Innovation / Implementation / Depth Research / Originality of work done

Industry Feedback / external Mentor*- 20 Marks to be evaluated on the following

parameters for 5 marks each
 Professional Approach for the project & Punctuality
 Innovation / Implementation / Depth of Research / Originality of Work
 Technical Understanding / Knowledge Application
 Overall Project Impact

External Jury- 40 Marks to be evaluated on the following parameters for 5 marks each
 Presentation / Communication
 Comprehension
 Innovation / Implementation/ Research Depth
 Subject Clarity
 Project Approach
 Relevance to Industry / Overall impact of the project
 Quantum of work carried out
 Analysis & Conclusion
*Format of Industry Feedback Form of 20 marks

Students feedback from industry

Research Project Industry Feedback:
BFT/MFT

Name of Student : ………………………………………………………………

Department & Semester : …......………………………………………………………
NIFT Campus : ……………………………..
…………………………………

Evaluation
Criteria
S. No. Evaluation Criteria Excellent Very Good Fair Poor Total
Good
5 4 3 2 1
1. Professional Approach for the Project &
Punctuality
2. Innovation / Implementation / Depth of
Research / Originality of Work
3. Technical Understanding /
Knowledge Application
4. Overall Project Impact
TOTAL
Note: 5 is the highest, 1 is the lowest

Name of Industry Mentor :

Designaton :
Signature :
Company Seal :
Pre requisite for Jury
Pre-requisite for end term internal jury :
i. Completon of the entire project to gather with the project report documentaton
ii. Satisfactory certficate from the faculty guide
iii. Satsfactory certficate from the sponsoring company OR Satisfactory certficate from
External Mentor in case of Research Project is not carried out at specific industry / RP is an
Academic Research Project.

Pre-requisite for End Term External Jury

i) Satisfactory certficate from internal jury

Role and Function of Jury

There will be a mid-term internal jury to monitor the progress for the students collectvely for
department. There will be another internal jury as part of end-term evaluaton to access the
completion of the project prior to the end-term jury.

The internal jury as part of end-term evaluation should decide whether the project work is
satisfactory and the student can go to external jury or not.

If the internal jury finds the work not complete and acceptable, a FOLLOW UP with the specified time
period may be given to the student and should be held any time before the last week of July of the
same calendar year. In case the work is still not found satsfactory by the Internal Jury student(s) will
have to repeat the graduaton project with the next batch. After the satifsfactory completon of the
research work post the “FOLLOW UP” the student will appear for external jury. The work will then be
assessed by external jury and found satsfactory for passing the RP/GP.

16. Award Categories :

DFT award categories
Best Research Project/ Best Graduating Project
Most Innovative Project
Most Commercially viable Project.

Evaluation Guidelines :

Best Research Project/ Best Graduating Project

Awarded to the top student/s scoring the maximum marks in their Mentor, Internal Jury, External
Jury and Industry feedback Marks assessment

Most Innovative Project & Most Commercially viable Project

Most Innovative Project & Most Commercially viable Project, will be adjudged separately both by
internal and external jury members for the creativity/newness and commercial/financial viability.

Logistic of implementation and guiding parameters for evaluaton is given underneath

Logistic of
implementation:
Most Innovative Project & Most Commercially viable Project, will be adjudged separately both by
internal and external jury members by creating two columns in the evaluaton sheet for Most
commercially viable and Most Innovative Project. The marks of these columns will not be added to
the total mark of the student. These columns will only be used to identfy the awardees in the
mentioned categories. The marking will be done by both internal and external jury on scale of 0- 10
and average of the scores of the internal and external jury members will indicate the award winner. In
case of a te the student having the higher overall score (Combine scores of all juries, mentor and
industry feedback) will get the award. In case there is a te in overall grade also then both the students
will get the award.

Guiding parameters for

evaluation Most Innovative
Project:
The project has to have innovation / newness in terms of innovatve/
creatve 1- Approach to problem solving
2- Product
3- System
4- Solution
The projects can be classified as per the following cases and evaluation has to be done
accordingly. Guideline for the same is mentioned below
CASE Classification /Description
CASE 1 Inventon/ creaton of new ideas. Concepts and products
CASE 2 Innovatveness suggested in research project is not existent in apparel
sector or any other industry
CASE 3 Innovatveness suggested is not existent in apparel sector but exists in
other industry
CASE4 No innovatveness in the research project
Most commercially viable:
The project has to have commercially/ financially
viable 1- Approach to problem solving
2- Product
3- System
4- Solution
The projects can be classified as per the following cases and evaluation has to be done
accordingly. Guideline for the same is mentioned below
CASE Classification /Description
CASE 1 Commercially / financially viable with payback period clearly
calculated
CASE 2 Potential commercially / financially viable with indicative/ suggested
payback period
CASE 3 potental commercially / financially viable with NO payback period
CASE4 No commercial / financial viability in the research project