Sample Research Proposals for discussion

Sample 1

Health and Safety in Oil and Gas Industry

INTRODUCTION

Health and safety are important responsibilities that every industry must consider. Health
and safety are serious risks that companies face. These risks directly and indirectly affect
business operations. Consequently, for a company to grow and prosper, it is pertinent that
risks are effectively managed, because by managing business risks, an organisation's
health, assets and opportunities will be secured and taken full advantage of (Kubitscheck,
2000).

Logically, the oil and gas industry is one of the riskiest industries when it comes to health
and safety of employees. Interruptions in oil production caused by fires and accidents
easily lead to significant economic losses, and potential hazards to humans and the
environment (Ahlang, 2005). Employees are also endangered to infectious disease,
foodborne/waterborne illness, and wildlife and vector induced disease (Markussen,
2003). Working in oil refineries basically exposes employees to benzene and Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material or NORM – substances that are dangerous to health
(Markussen, 2003).

There is an abundance of literature that discusses these occupational health and safety
issues in the oil and gas industry. The aim of this study is to expand that issue by
collating and reviewing useful and related literatures. It also aims to identify the different
safety and health management policies that oil and gas companies in the UK implements.
Determining the different safety and health problems and the types of policies to counter
those is helpful in drawing an overall picture of the situation, enabling the researcher to
provide recommendations on how safety and health management can be improved in oil
and gas companies in the UK.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The oil and gas industry faces many criticisms when it comes to health and safety
of its employees. This is due to the numerous activities within the industry that include
chemical use for various processes (Cottle and Guidotti, 1990). These include: drilling,
cementing, completion, stimulation, and production (Cottle and Guidotti, 1990). The
occupational hazards of exposure to these agents have received little attention, as well as
the types of health and safety strategies that firms implement. Thus, this study will
identify descriptively the occupational safety and health issues in the oil and gas industry
and the policies that companies use.

The study will try to answer the following questions:

1. What are the health and safety issues in the oil and gas industry?

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2. What are the health and safety policies that oil and gas companies
implement?

3. What are the challenges that oil and gas companies face in the prevention of
hazards and accidents?

4. What can be recommended to improve the health and safety practices in the
oil and gas industry?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to identify the health and safety issues in the oil and gas
industry through descriptive research. Its aim is to develop new insights about how the
industry handles health and safety issues, and how effective are their policies.

The study will address the following objectives:

1. Conduct a comprehensive literature search on the different health and safety

issues in the oil and gas industry, including the dangerous chemicals involve and other
hazards.
2. Conduct an interview on oil and gas industry managers and ask them about
the different policies they implement to promote health and safety within their workplace.

3. To categorize the data collected and analyze them using statistical and non-
statistical means.

4. To provide recommendations about how the health and safety policies of oil
and gas companies in the UK can be improved.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results that will be collated from this study may be useful in improving the
health and safety practice of oil and gas companies. Because this study will provide
descriptive knowledge, oil and gas companies in the UK will have a solid reference, to
which they can use as a guide to improve their health and safety practices.

The results of the study may also find some new issues concerning health and
safety practices in the oil and gas industry, which may lead to future research.

SUMMARY OF LITERATURE
One of the most related literatures for this study is the research entitled: "Process
chemicals in the oil and gas industry: potential occupational hazards" (Cottle and
Guidotti, 1990). In this research, Cottle and Guidotti (1990), reviewed various processes
in the industry, the type of chemicals used in each process, and some of their
characteristics. However, the research emphasized more on those for which significant

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toxicity has been established or is suspected, and those for which there is incomplete
information on their chemistry and health hazards.

Another related literature that may be useful in the study is the study of Fuller and
Bassie (2001) entitled: "Benchmarking the safety climates of employees and contractors
working within a partnership arrangement: A case study in the offshore oil industry". The
research strategy used in this research was case study, which reports a benchmark
assessment of employee and contractor safety climates in an offshore oil company that
operated contractor partnership agreements in the North Sea. In summary, the results
obtained indicated that safety climates could be aligned in organisations that operate
partnership agreements within a recognised health and safety management system (Fuller
and Bassie, 2001).

Verma, Johnson and McLean (2000) conducted a study about the benzene and total
hydrocarbon exposures in the upstream petroleum oil and gas industry and found several
safety concern issues. The study was based on the Canadian Oil and Gas Industry, and a
total of 1547 air samples taken by 5 oil companies in various sectors (i.e., conventional
oil/gas, conventional gas, heavy oil processing, drilling and pipelines) were evaluated and
summarized. Although the study was not focused in the oil and gas industry in Saudi
Arabia, it still provided results that can be generalized for the whole oil and gas industry
around the world. For instance, it found the percentage of samples are over the
occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 3.2 mg/m3 or one part per million for benzene, for
personal long-term samples ranges from 0 to 0.7% in the different sectors, and area long-
term samples range from 0 to 13%. On the other hand, for short-term personal samples,
the exceedance for benzene is at 5% with respect to the OEL of 16 mg/m3 or five parts
per million in the conventional gas sector and none in the remaining sectors. The findings
help establish a precaution to the global oil and gas industry that certain operations such
as glycol dehydrators be carefully monitored and that a task-based monitoring program
be included along with the traditional long- and short-term personal exposure sampling.

Another study that reflects the safety procedures in the oil and gas industry in
general is the study conducted by Fuller and Vassie (2001), which reports a benchmark
assessment of employee and contractor safety climates in an offshore oil company that
operated contractor partnership agreements in the North Sea. Questionnaires were used in
the study to assess safety climates in terms of employees' and contractors' perceptions of
safety management, workplace conditions and safety concerns. The results showed that
safety climates could be aligned in organizations that operate partnership agreements
within a recognized health and safety management system. Fuller and Vassie (2001)
suggested that the approach presented is appropriate for benchmarking safety climates
before and after partnership arrangements have been established in order to determine the
level of cultural alignment that has been achieved.

Markussen (2003) enumerated several effects on employee health that a geological

survey/seismic operation can produce. Employees are endangered of infectious disease;
foodborne/waterborne illness; wildlife & vector; induced disease; and noise. On the other
hand, oil and gas production causes chemical and physical agent exposure, specifically on

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drilling mud; petroleum products; treatment chemicals; radioactive sources; NORM*;
solvents; metals; temperature (heat/cold); silica/asbestos; noise/vibration; and PCB's.
Markussen (2003) concluded that all risks must be identified and managed through
wisely incorporated resources in order for quality operations to be long lasting.

Al Khafji Joint Operations is one of the known oil and gas companies in Saudi Arabia. In
the Annual Safety Report 2005 of Al Khafji Joint Operations (2006), the company made
some improvements such as the Inspection Equipment Program, Project Monitoring, and
Modification of Permit to Work System. There was also a company-wide safety
campaign program, updating of emergency response team and plan, evacuation drills and
safety and fire training.

The company has medical services ready in case of emergency. The medical facility of
KJO is equipped with modern technologies and trained nurses and doctors (KJO, 2006).
The company also has a program for employees that empower them to share their views
and opinions on health and safety issues in the company.

KJO also takes importance in monitoring and preventing oil spills. The following are the
"spill readiness" strategy of KJO: ensure that company response to oil spills is prompt,
efficient and cost-effective; ensure company readiness and response to oil spills through
training courses and drills; monitor, evaluate and advise on national and international oil
spill legislation; assure the …

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The research will be descriptive research. Research strategies that will be used
include case study, interviews and literature search. The study plans to interview
managers of oil and gas companies in the UK to determine safety and health issues, as
well as their standard policies toward it. Two oil and gas industries will also be covered
for the case study, and an in-depth literature review will be performed.

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The proposal hopes to reveal the different problems of the oil and gas companies
in the UK when it comes to health and safety issues. This may include the different
legislations that companies have to follow, the different areas within oil and gas
companies that require extra attention for health and safety purposes, the different
chemicals that may have harmful effects to employees, etc. It is expected that the study
will give unique answers from each respondents, depending on the size of their company,
as well as their daily operations

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Sample 2

The impact of conflict management strategies on organizational climate

Statement of the problem

In every organization, several conflicts are visible from every essential areas and
functions of the organization and that there lacks proper handling of people and the
organization is without strategies of conflict management, managing the impact of
conflict into the organization. Ideally, the ability to take business control of conflict is
important as the purpose of this study is to investigate whether the use of certain conflict
management strategies, will predict reductions in into workplace conflict as well as role
ambiguity, also work overload and time pressure. Research outcomes will indicate that,
such conflict management strategies do significantly predict low scores on several
specific conflict examples as tested and on levels of overall conflict management
impacts.

There can be issues on conflict management effectiveness and how to achieve them
according to the principles of the organization and its climate adaptations. The
constructive conflict management is a vital concern for every manager. When conflicts
are managed constructively they can help identify and solve problems, develop and
maintain strong relationships, and sustain member loyalty and motivation. When conflicts
are poorly managed they waste time and resources, damage member loyalty and
motivation, undermine teamwork, and distort decision-making and planning. Strong
productive teams can be maintained only when their members manage their conflicts
well. The organizations attempt to influence members' beliefs and skills by providing
training in conflict management. When team relationships become seriously problematic,
some organizations conduct off-site retreats for teambuilding synergy and success, unless
the organization's climate promotes constructive conflict management behaviors, training
tends to have frustratingly limited impact, and the beneficial effects of teambuilding
retreats prove to be both limited and temporary. It is clear, there should address the
impact of organizational climate on the conflict management behavior of members.

Background of the study

The ability to successfully minimize and resolve conflict is an important skill for the
organization to develop, as faced with the classic confrontation between individual needs
and organizational needs, requiring them to spend a major part of their time attempting
conflict mediation. The "appropriate" management strategy in a given situation requires
accurate identification of both the conflict origin and participants and their relationships,
in order to apply effective resolution technique. Ideally, this technique must reduce the
dysfunctional dimension of conflict so as to capitalize on its functionality for the good of
the organization concerned. Consequently, there is conflict anticipation and detection
should always constitute the first two phases of good conflict management, the pro-action

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rather than reaction of the issues if there is any. Furthermore, strategies for conflict
resolution will vary according to philosophical bases of the ones involved and
encompasses win-lose, lose-lose and win-win approaches to conflict management, the
impact can be overused as strategy for solving conflicts.

Methodology

The methodology will include usage of organization climate influence as well as power to
bring about compliance and compromise. The need to realize win-win approach, the
method yields solutions satisfactory to organization team to the conflict wins something,
and the conflict is resolved in a constructive manner. An important point must be borne in
mind when attempting to deal effectively with organizational conflict, for insurance one
method will not apply to situations, as given in various approaches to conflict
management. The conflict has been effectively managed when it no longer interferes with
the ongoing activities of those involved. Conflict management is therefore the process of
removing cognitive barriers to agreement (Greenhalgh, 1986). Depending on the
situation, conflict management techniques often focus on changing structure, changing
process or both. Indeed, structural modifications are not very creative, and the response to
conflict is simply more rules and hardening of the role structure.

Aside, if the basis of conflict is lack of trust or suspicion of motives, an effective

approach is to bring the parties together and let them get to know each other. However, if
the conflict is rooted in differences in principle, increased interaction could exacerbate
the situation, the modifying of reward system can be effective if inequity in extrinsic or
intrinsic rewards is the cause of conflict. An approach to conflict management is
predicated upon the idea that diagnosis of the situation is necessary as a basis of action.
The contingency view is that there is not one best way of managing conflict under all
conditions, but that there are optimal ways of managing it under certain conditions
(Owens, 1987). An important aspect of conflict management is: alternative ways of
managing conflict and kinds of situations in which each of these various alternatives
might be expected to be the most effective.

The one good step is to assess the influence of an organization's climate on members'
conflict management behavior. The Conflict Climate Inventory was designed to assist in
this assessment, identified sixteen elements of organizational climate that have been
shown to influence the behavior of members when they experience conflict. In
interpreting the results of the conflict climate inventory, however, it will be important to
bear in mind that "climate" is a holistic concept. Climate acts on individual members as
an undifferentiated whole, affecting how they feel, what they notice and think about, and
how they behave. Thus, while scores for each of the elements can be very helpful in
diagnosing the climate and identifying specific ways to improve it, no score can tell in
complete story, the understanding and enhancing of organizational climate remains noted.

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Greenhalgh, L. (1986). SIVIR forum: Managing conflict. Sloan Management Review, 27,
45-51

Owens, R.G. (1987). Organizational Behavior in Education. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:

Prentice-Hall

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Sample 3

Speed Control of DC Series Motor Using MATLAB Simulink

1.0 Introduction

Speed control is an electric circuit which purports to vary an electric motor's

speed as well as its direction and possibly also act as a dynamic brake. It could be a
stand-alone unit which plugs into the receiver's throttle control channel or incorporated
into the receiver itself. Speed control is designed for use in cars to reversing capability as
well as helicopters, airplanes and boats. In series motors, the field windings are connected
in series with the armature coil wherein the field strength varies with changes in armature
current. When the speed of series motor is reduced by a load, the series motor develops
greater torque. Its starting torque is greater than other types of dc motors. The speed
varies widely between full-load and no-load. Further, counter-electromotive force is
generated in a dc motor as armature coils cut the field flux and this emf opposes the
applied voltage and limits the flow of armature current.

On the other hand, Simulink is a graphical extension to MATLAB with the

purpose of modeling and simulation of systems. In Simulink, systems are drawn on
screen as block diagrams and with many elements of block diagrams available. These
elements include but are not limited to transfer functions, summing junctions, virtual
input and output devices such as function generators and oscilloscopes. Simulink is
integrated with MATLAB and data can be easily transferred between the programs.
Nonetheless, whether the speed of dc series motor could be controlled using MATLAB
Simulink is not known.

2.0 Problem Statement

The problem that will be addressed in this study is - Is MATLAB Simulink

capable of controlling the speed of DC series motor? Other research questions which will
be given answer to are:

1) What does MATLAB Simulink can do to the speed of DC series motor other that
controlling it?

2) What makes MATLAB Simulink capable of doing the job? What are the properties
of MATLAB Simulink that makes such possible?

3) What are the limitations of MATLAB Simulink with reference to controlling the
speed of dc series motors?

3.0 Study Objectives

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 The main aim of this study is to explore whether MATLAB Simulink is capable of
controlling the speed of dc series motors. In lieu with this, specific objectives that will be
addressed are as follows:

· Determine the challenges and limitations of using MATLAB Simulink in controlling

dc series motors speed

· Evaluate the benefits and/or advantages of using MATLAB Simulink in controlling

dc series motors speed

· Offer recommendations based on the result of the study

4.0 Methodology
The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A
descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a
situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with
relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that
are being felt, or trends that are developing (Best, 1970). In addition, such approach tries
to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of
the respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994).
In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The
reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help
them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it. The
primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired
from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the
second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. The secondary
sources of data will come from published articles from books, journals and theses and
related studies.
References
Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall,
Inc.
Creswell, J.W. 1994. Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

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Sample 4
Why second language learners face problems in using correct grammar

Background of the Study

Some 98 percent of the world’s population is learning English starting from an early age
through college. In Southeast Asia, Littlewood (1998) classifies English learning
students into two categories, being that of collectivism and individualism. His research
revealed that people in East Asian countries have emerged as showing a much stronger
collectivist orientation than people in Western countries, therefore, East Asian students,
including the Chinese, will have a strong inclination to form in groups which work
towards common goals, East Asian students will be reluctant to 'stand out' by expressing
their views or raising questions in the context of classroom setting, East Asian students
will perceive the teacher as an authority figure, and that East Asian students will see
knowledge as something to be transmitted by the teacher rather than discovered by the
learners (Littlewood 1998). However, it is still considered that one of the problems faced
by the language learners is in terms of using the correct grammar.

In this paper, it would explore the factors and reasons why second language learners are
facing problems in using correct grammar. The four aspects of English competence
namely, reading, writing, speaking and listening, are all essential and should be
incorporated one aspect at a time to ensure learning English is successful. Moreover, this
paper will discuss the current problems confronting students in learning the English
language and as to how the said problems can be addressed, both for the teachers and the
students. Including a discussion of an English program, named the CLT, to better
improve on the learning of English and basically the evolvement of the teaching English
language as it is already, currently, has been a compulsory subject in the primary
education.

Objective of the Study

The main goal of the study is explore the reasons why second language learners
are having problems in using correct grammar. The study attempts to achieve the
following objectives:

1. To determine the teacher factors on why the students are having difficulties in using
correct grammar.

2. To determine the second language learners factors on why the students are having
difficulties in using correct grammar.

3. To identify ways on improving the second language learning of students in terms of

correct grammar.

4. To determine the specific skills and capability that the teachers should have in
helping the students use correct grammar.

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Statement of the Problem

Second language learning is one of the most problematic issues faced by teachers and
students for non-english speaking countries. One of the tools that has been considered to
have a great potential to solve such issue is the through the enhancement of school
curriculum. The main goal of this paper is to determine the factors that affect the second
language learner’s problem in using correct grammar. . Specifically the dissertation aims
to answer the following queries:

1. What are the teacher factors that lead to why the students are having difficulties in
using correct grammar?

2. What are second language learner’s factors on why the students are having
difficulties in using correct grammar?

3. What are the ways on improving the second language learning of students in terms of
correct grammar?

4. What are the specific skills and capability that the teachers should have in helping the
students use correct grammar?

Research methodology

This research study used a phenomenological multiple case study approach to investigate
teachers’ knowledge of students’ second language learning in teaching students correct
grammar. This qualitative inquiry proposed an investigation of individual teachers’
teaching actions. The purpose of this study was to describe and interpret the nature of
selected middle school second language teachers’ knowledge of students’ second
language learning and how they use this knowledge in their classroom teaching of correct
grammar used. Cases were purposely selected for building an understanding that
supported an increased comprehension of the impact of teachers’ knowledge of students’
thinking in designing and implementing their instruction. These case studies were used
in building hypotheses with respect to the complexities of this phenomenon for further
investigation.

This phenomenological analysis was principally concerned with understanding how

teachers use their knowledge about students’ second language learning in their classroom
teaching (Schwandt, 2000). The aim was to grasp how they interpreted their students’
actions and reconstructed the impact of this knowledge in their instructional planning and
teaching. From an interpretivist’s view, the teachers’ actions in their classroom teaching
were meaningful and useful in building an understanding for further investigation.

Participants

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This study was concerned with the general phenomenon of teaching using knowledge of
students’ second language learning that simultaneously compiles multiple cases, where
each case study was a concentrated inquiry into an exemplary middle school teacher’s
knowledge and actions in incorporating students’ thinking when teaching correct
grammar used (Stake, 2000). The goal of the participant selection was to identify two
exemplary middle school mathematics teachers for in-depth multiple case studies.

Reference

Littlewood, W. (1998). Defining and developing autonomy in East Asian contexts.

Applied Linguistics, 20, 1, 71-94.

Schwandt, T. A. (2000). Three epistemological stances for qualitative inquiry:

Interpretivism, hermeneutics, and social constructionism. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S.
Lincoln, Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 189–213). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Stake, R. E. (2000). Case studies. In N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of

qualitative research (2nd ed., pp. 435-454). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Staub, F. C. & Stern, E. (2002): The nature of teachers’ pedagogical content beliefs
matters for students’ achievement gains: Quasi-experiment evidence from elementary
mathematics. Journal of Educational Psychology 94, 344-355.

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