Bayero University, Kano

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELE9304: Research Methods in Engineering
First Semester, 2018/2019 Session

1. Staff:
SN Name Initials Office Email Office Hours
1. Dr. Zainab Y. Yunusa ZYY B3-010 zee2yunusa@gmail.com Mon 8-10am
2. Dr. Muhammad Buhari MB B3-029 mbuhari.ele@buk.edu.ng Mon 8-10am
3. Dr. Amir A. Bature AAB B3-014 aabature.ele@buk.edu.ng Thu 9-12pm
4. Dr. Hassan A. Bashir HAB B3-025 habashir.ele@buk.edu.ng Thu 2-4pm
5. Dr. M. B. Lawal MBL B3-012 lmbello.ele@buk.edu.ng Wed 8-10am
Pre-requisite:

1. Students are expected to revise/know:

a. How to use word processor like Microsoft Word, slide presentation software like
Microsoft Power Point.
2. Bring Laptop computer with Microsoft Office installed.

Lectures: Friday 2:30-5:30pm

2. Course Content:
Research: Definition and concept of research. Types of research with emphasis on Academic
research. Formulating a research question; problem definition; from topic to research question;
concepts and variables; constructing hypotheses.
Research Proposal: Components of research proposal; Title, introduction, research gap, problem
definition, motivation, scope, aim and objectives, expected outcome/contribution, Gantt chart.
Literature Review: Choosing a Research Topic, how to get good literatures, review articles,
writing good literature review. From literature to problem statements.
Data collection and Result Analysis: Primary and secondary sources, observations, interviews,
questionnaires, validity and reliability of research instruments, ethical issues in data collection.
Presentation of Results (Graphs, charts, Tables, figures). Summarized results: averages,
percentage error, MSE, indexes and so on. Effective Power Point Presentation.

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 Referencing and Citations: Reputable Journals and indexing. Citation formats: Journal papers,
conferences and Book citations. Use of Mendely software in citations. Thesis Format and chapters
overview. Templating Academic Documents.
Research Management and Ethics: Time and resource management. Plagiarism: direct copying,
para phrasing, ghost worker, author contribution and acknowledgement. Student-Supervisor
relationship.

3. Grading
Presentation: Each candidate is expected to propose a topic (you can use your Master’s thesis
work) and read on the latest trend of the work and extract a research gap and formulate a problem
statement and prepare a standard proposal write up and present the proposal using power point
slides. At the end, the candidates should:
1. Submit a written proposal using MS Word in standard formatted template: Equation Editor,
Mendely Referencing, Formatted headings. (Deadline TBA)
2. Standard Power Point slides on the presentation.
Assignment: Candidates are expected to read, understand and apply the following topics:
1. Sampling (probability and non-probability).
2. Measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive).
3. Research design (experimental and quasi-experimental).

Final Examination: To be scheduled by the PG board Examination Office at the end of the
semester on the Assignment topics.
Attendance: We expect the students to attend the lectures and we will keep track of attendance.
100% attendance qualify students to sit in the final examinations.
The course grade will be established according to the following breakdown:

Presentation 30%
Proposal Write Up 30%
Final Examination 40%

4. Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course is:

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 a. To offer insight into the process of (getting started with) research and the methodological
pitfalls you may encounter before formulating a research problem.
b. To show how to use tools for effective research and research presentation.

5. Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:

1. Write a standard research proposal using word processor.

2. Prepare standard power point slide presentation and make an effective presentation.
3. Know and apply research ethics.
4. Use Mendely software for referencing of proposal, published works and thesis.
5. Write an effective literature review.
6. Have very good relation with supervisors and colleagues.
7. How to write good thesis using various tools.

6. Lecture Schedule:
Date Lecture Lecturer

LEC 1-2 Definition and concept of research, Research Proposal MB

LEC 3-4 Literature Review ZYY

LEC 5-6 Data collection and Result Analysis HAB

LEC 7 Referencing and Citations AAB

LEC 8 Research Management and Ethics MBL

7. Presentation Schedule:
Submission of proposal write up and presentation dates and time schedules for each candidate to
be announced later.

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