Module 6-A

METHODOLOGY

At the end of this instructional module the student shall be able to:

1. Discuss what Methodology is.

2. Explain the Design Criteria.
3. Discuss Design Plan Preparation and Fabrication.
4. Describe Evaluation Procedure of the study.
5. Select the proper Instrumentation in evaluating the study.
6. Discuss the procedure in Gathering the Data to be to be analyze.
7. Show how to select the Parameters to be Analyzed
8. Explain the Cost Return Analysis of the study.
9. Answer question for module 6.

What is METHODOLOGY
The methodology explains the step-by-step procedure needed in achieving the objectives of a
study. It explains in detail how the target objective can be attained.

• It gives the information of the equipment, the sample, the instrument, the data to be
gathered and how it will be processed and analyzed.

• Different types of research basically requires different format for the methodology.

• Variation in methodology largely depending of the objectives/goal of the study.

METHODOLOGY FOR DESIGN AND EVALUATION STUDIES

1. Design Criteria
a. This refers to the criteria that need to be considered before designing a
device/machine. This may include field or throughput capacity, power source
(human, ICE, electricity, etc), labor requirement, materials of construction, cost
of construction, etc.
b. Each criterion should be given the range and limit to which it is to be operated.
c. Materials should be specified as well as the required skills in the fabrication.
d. The cost limit should also be specified.
2. Design Plan Preparation
 a. Review of literatures and existing designs – This can be done through the use of
literatures from different sources as well as actual visits and observations of
existing facility or product.
b. Conceptual design of the machine – This involves the preparation of the concept
for the proposed machine, structure, or processes. Development of different
design concepts would help researchers to achieve the best suitable design.
c. Design Calculations – This will help the researcher to determine the dimension of
various component of the proposed project. It also helps determine some
design requirements such as the power needed, fuel consumption, heat transfer
loss, pressure draft, etc.
d. Fabrication Drawing – This will give the fabricator the information on how the
proposed project is to be fabricated, the materials and the amount needed, and
the required dimensions of each component.
e. Cost Estimate – This refers to the costs of the materials and labor needed in
constructing the proposed project.
f. Final Drawing of the Machine – This needs to be prepared after all the
modifications and testing have been done. Sometimes this is referred to as mass
production drawing.
3. Fabrication/Construction/Installation
a. Description of the Fabricator - Who and where the unit is to be
fabricated/constructed, Is it a backyard fabricator or medium/large
manufacturing firm?
b. Tools and equipment to be used – Specify if possible the tools and equipment to
be used during the fabrication or construction of the proposed project. This
includes the measuring, cutting, machine, welding, forming, assembly, and
finishing tools and equipment.
c. Construction procedure - This refers to the step-by-step procedure from lay
outing to finishing. Is it to be done in contract or in mass production procedure.
d. Supervision and management during fabrication – Who and how will the
proposed project be supervised. How the inputs coming from the fabricator be
considered? How long does the proposed project be finished.
4. Test and Evaluation Procedure
a. How will the testing and evaluation be conducted? Who will do the testing?
b. Number of tests to be done and the weight and size of samples to be used.
Where will it be obtained?
c. Describes the treatment and control samples to be employed, if needed.
d. Describes the pre-treatment procedure, if any
 e. Describes the equipment or process to be tested or evaluated. Where it will be
taken or who will supply the unit.
5. Instrumentation
a. What are the materials/instruments to be used
b. Specifications of the instruments such as the model, working range, accuracy,
etc.
c. Where will it be used for? How will it be used? Frequency of data gathering.
d. Specific location and how the sensors are to be installed.
e. Schematic diagram of the set-up indicating the sensors, the data logger, and the
computer.
6. Data to be Gathered
a. What are data to be gathered during the test/evaluation. This includes the
following: Capacity, Temperature, Pressure, Humidity, Speed, Velocity, Airflow,
Time, Voltage, Current, Particle Size, etc.
b. How will the data be gathered? Manually or with the use of a data logger and
computer?
c. Frequency of gathering data. Every minute, hourly, or daily?
7. Parameters to be Analyzed
a. What are the parameters to be analyzed? This includes: Capacity, Input/Output
Rate, Efficiency, Specific Rate, Recovery, Percentage Loss, etc.
b. How will it be determined?
c. Need to show formula if possible.
d. Economics can be reflected here such as production cost, fixed and variable
costs, operating cost, return on investment, payback period, benefit cost ratio.
8. Statistical Analysis
a. What is the appropriate statistical tool to be used for the study?
b. Mean, standard deviation
c. Regression analysis
d. Comparison among Means (t-test, ANOVA, etc.)
e. Statistical computer software or self-made program in statistics using Excel and
other possible computer programs
EXAMPLES

Design Process and Criteria

Title of the Study: Design and Evaluation of a Mini-Flatbed Dryer Heated With
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Title of the Study: Design and Performance Evaluation of an Axial-Flow-Type Biomass Shredder
 Question for Module 6

1. Write the Design Criteria of your Studies.

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2. Write the Design Plan Preparation and Fabrication your Studies.
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3. Write the Evaluation Procedure your Studies.
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4. Write the Instrumentation your Studies.
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5. Write the Data to be gathered you’re Studies.
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6. Write the Parameters to be analyzed your Studies.
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7. Write the Cost Return Analysis your Studies.
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