COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 1 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

PRE-REQUISITE : -

EQUIVALENCE : SAM 5062

LECTURE HOURS : 16 Hours

LECTURE : See Attachment

SYNOPSIS

This course is a compulsory course for all students before they undergo the Final Year Project. In this
course, the student will be exposed in various aspect of research including types of research, method of
literature review, research design, results and analysis, writing of thesis and journal and also
presentation skills. The students will also be exposed to the problem solving methodology, decision-
making and data collection process. This helps to prepare the students for Final Year Project. The student
has to prepare a Pre-Project report in the topic that will be given by their supervisors. At the end of this
course, students should be able to understand all aspects of research, conduct research in a systematic
way, solve and analyse data and results and write and present project report.

PREPARED BY : CERTIFIED BY :

Name : Dr. Libriati Zardasti Name : Deputy Dean (Academic)

(Coordinator)

Signature : Signature :

Date : : 15th September 2017 Date : : 15th September 2017

 COURSE OUTLINE

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Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should be able to :

Programme
Taxonomies
Learning Assessment
CO Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) and
Outcome(s) Methods
Soft-Skills
(PLO)

Select information and apply theoretical

CO1 knowledge and practical skills in PLO1, PLO11 C3, P1, A1, T, R
addressing civil engineering problem. LL1

Recognize and practice the concept of

C1, P1, A1,
CO2 life-long learning in collection of literature PLO11 T, R
LL1
reviews for continuous self improvement.

Perform basic guided research in a

CO3 PLO2 C3, P3, A2 R
systematic way.

Prepare and write a research proposal in

CO4 PLO1, PLO2 R
systematic way. C3, P3, A2

Note : T – Test ; R – Proposal Report (Supervisor)

 COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 3 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

STUDENT LEARNING TIME

Student Learning Time

No. Teaching and Learning Activities
(hours)

1. Face-to-Face Learning

a. Lecturer-Centered Learning

i. Lecture 16

b. Student-Centered Learning (SCL)

i. Laboratory / Tutorial -

Student-centered learning activities – Active Learning,

ii. 24
Project Based Learning

2. Self-Directed Learning

Non-face-to-face learning or student-centered learning (SCL)

a. 34
such as manual, assignment, module, e-Learning, etc.

b. Revision -

c. Assessment Preparations 4

3. Formal Assessment

a. Continuous Assessment 2

b. Final Exam -

Total (SLT) 80

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

1. Concept of research methodology will be demonstrated to students.

2. Students will require discussing their research work with their supervisor.

3. Students will require producing complete research proposal.

4. A few comments from evaluator will be demonstrated to students.

 COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 4 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week Lecture Topic / Content

Introduction
1 – Importance of research, research practice at universities, research
institutions and companies, components of research – conceptual
1 framework and action.
2 – Criteria for problem selection, purpose and objectives (Research
problems and research questions), underlying assumption,
research scope and limitation.
– Pre-Project briefing

Literature Review
3 – Purpose of literature review and how to conduct literature review.
2
– Method of reviewing literature in the library.
4 – Method of reviewing literature from other sources.
– Common flaws in literature review.
– Discussion with supervisor

Research Design
3 5,6 – Introduction, types of research, research design – Physical
– Numerical modeling, materials and methods.
– Discussion with supervisor

7,8 – Sampling design and experimentation.

4
– Variables and indicators Instrumentation and data collection.
– Discussion with supervisor

9,10 Results and Analysis

5 – Introduction, observation and interpretation.
– Error analysis and validity of results.
– Discussion with supervisor

11,12 – Significance of findings.

6 – Conclusions and recommendation for further work.
– Discussion with supervisor.
– Student submit pre-project title to coordinator.

13,14 Writing and Presentation

– Introduction, Presentation / Publication of research finding.
7
– Writing of technical papers / technical reports.
– Discussion with supervisor

8 MID SEMESTER BREAK

 COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 5 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week Lecture Topic / Content

15,16 Writing and Presentation

– Writing of thesis / dissertation.
9
– Writing techniques / skill.
– Discussion with supervisor

Test 1
10
Discussion with supervisor

11 Discussion with supervisor

– Student writes research proposal

12
– Discussion with supervisor

– Student writes research proposal

13
– Discussion with supervisor

14 – Students meets evaluator

– Students meets evaluator

15 – The student submit research proposal to supervisor
– Evaluation of research proposal by the supervisor.

16-18 REVISION WEEK AND FINAL EXAMINATION

 COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 6 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

REFERENCES

1. R. V. Smith, “Graduate Research – A guide for students in the sciences”, ISI Press, 1984.
2. D. Madsen, “Successful Dissertation and theses”, 2nd Edition, Jossey Bass Pub., 1992.
3. E. M. Phillips and D. S. Pugh, “How to get PhD – Managing the peaks and trough of research”, Open
University Press, Milton Keynes, Philadelphia, 1987.
4. S. Pokras, “Systematic Problem-Solving and Decision-Making”, Kogan Page Ltd., London, UK, 1990.
5. R. B. Maddux, “Team Building – An Exercise in Leadership”, Kogan Page Ltd., London, UK, 1988.

GRADING:

(Provide details on the allocation of marks and the time schedule for all quizzes, tests, assignments, etc.)

No. Assessment Number % each % total Dates

Test (Research
1. 1 30 30 Week 10
Methodology)
2. Research Proposal 1 70 70 Week 15

ATTENDANCE

The student should adhere to the rules of attendance as stated in the University Academic Regulation :-

1. Student must attend not less than 80% of lecture hours as required for the subject.

The student will be prohibited from attending any lecture and assessment activities upon failure to
2.
comply the above requirement. Zero mark will be given to the subject.
 COURSE OUTLINE

Page : 7 of 7

Revision : H
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Date of issue : 1st June 2003
&
Last Amendment : 15th September 2017
PRE-PROJECT
Edition : 5
SAB 4022
Procedure No. : FKA/PG/RK/SAB 4022

ATTACHMENT

Lecturers E-Mail Room No. Phone No.

Dr. Libriati Zardasti

1. libriati@utm.my M50-247 5531589
(Coordinator)

Lecturers from all departments

2.
in the Faculty