Chapter 0: Course Outline

Graduate Program
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Why Research Methods In Engineering?
• We may be faced with problems that require us to devise
innovative and practical solutions
• Simple problems
• Solve them drawing on knowledge acquired through course of
study or accumulated experiences
• Complex problems need to
• Engage in research
• Use valid and credible information to formulate viable solutions

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 2

Course Objectives
• In general, the course aims to
• Provide an in-depth insight into initiating, structuring, and
developing a research project
• Equip with the skills needed to conduct valid research in academic
or industrial practice context
• Acquire necessary research skills essential to
• Systematic process of inquiry
• Find relevant answers to the research questions
• Be able to communicate findings (both in writing and oral
presentation)

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 3

Course Objectives – Focus Areas

1. Methodologies and process of doing scientific research

projects in the field of engineering
• Approach engineering research problems in a structured and
strategic manner
• E.g., literature review, referencing, proposal development, ethical
obligations associated with conducting research, …
2. Presentation skills both in written and oral form
• Research is equally about communication
• Be able to infect the mind of readers with your ideas, like a virus
• Greatest ideas are (literally) worthless if we keep them to
ourselves
• Be able to explain an engineering research exercise to specialist
and non-specialist audiences with motivation, approach,
justification, and key outcomes

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 4

Research Methods in Engineering – Course Outline
1. Introduction
• Definitions of research
• Research in science, humanities and art
• Types of researches
• Significance of research for a country
• Research methods and methodologies

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 5

Course Outline …
2. Systems and scientific modeling
• Systems
• Research as a system concept
• Description of system variables
• Characterization/types of systems
• Scientific modeling
• Mathematical modeling
• Statistical modeling
• Empirical modeling
• Model verification, validation and credibility

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 6

Course Outline …
3. Scientific inquiry and methodology
• Models of scientific inquiry
a. Classical model
b. Pragmatic model
• Elements of scientific method
a. Characterizations, hypotheses, predictions, experiments
b. Evaluation and improvement
c. Confirmation
• A linearized form of scientific method

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 7

Course Outline …
4. Process in research proposal development
• Research and project proposals
• Format of proposals

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 8

Course Outline …
5. Scientific research process
• Formulating the research problem
• Literature survey
• Developing hypothesis
• Preparing the research design
• Collecting/generating the data
• Analysis of data
• Hypothesis testing
• Generalizations and interpretation
• Preparation of report or presentation of the results

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 9

Course Outline …
6. Planning research projects/activities
• Gantt chart, CPM and PERT tools of project planning

7. Presentation of scientific report (writing and speaking)

• Presentation of written scientific report
• Oral presentation of technical report

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 10

Course Outline …
8. Management of R&D of information sources and forums
• R&D (discussion) forums
a. Seminars
b. Conference
c. Panel discussions
d. Your roles in discussion forums (as presenter, audience, …)
• Organization, documentation and rating of R&D Information
a. Journals
b. Conference papers
c. Proceedings
d. Rating
e. Selling (on line)

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 11

Course Outline …
9. Intellectual property rights
• Industrial property (patents, industrial designs, utility models, and
trade marks)
• Copyright
10. Ethics in R&D
11. Practice on research methods
• Preparing a written research proposal
• Presenting (oral) the research proposal

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 12

Evaluation
• Assignments
1. Group assignment
• Identify a problem, develop research proposal and present the proposal
2. Individual assignment
• Semester assignment
• Identify a problem, develop research proposal and present the proposal
• Using IEEE format, write a review on the identified topic
• Evaluation scheme
• Group assignments – 30%
• Group presentation – 20%
• Individual assignment – 50%

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 13

References
• Reference
1. Research Methods for Engineers by David V. Thiel
2. Practical Research: Planning and Design (11th Edition) by Paul D.
Leedy
3. Essence of Research, Jan Jonker etal.
4. Fundamental of Research Methodology, Y. Kumar Singh
5. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, Isadore Newman etal.
6. Research Methodology, Haakon Breien
7. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, C.R. Kothari

Research Methods for Engineering – Ch. 0 Course Outline 14