School of

Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
(MEM797)
PROFESSOR TS. DR. NOR HAYATI SAAD
Email: norhayatisaad@uitm.edu.my
Tel: 0197778275
 School of

Salam & A very good

Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

day!
I’m Nor Hayati Saad
Current Office Address:
ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR (STRATEGY)
THE VICE CHANCELLOR OFFICE
UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMATION DIVISION
LEVEL 6 CANSELERI TUANKU SYED SIRAJUDDIN
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, UiTM SHAH ALAM
SHAH ALAM, 40450 SELANGOR
0197778275/ 0355442031
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Course Learning Outcomes

Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

CO1: Explain the principles and processes involved in research design

[PO1, SS1](C3)

CO2: Apply Professional Conduct and Research Ethics [PO6, SS4](A5)

CO3: Formulate problem statement and research gap via literature review
[PO3, SS1](C5)

CO4: Apply the main techniques used for data collection, analysis and
verification [PO2, SS1](C3)

CO5: Present the scientific findings using written, oral and visual techniques
[PO4, SS2](A3)

CO6: Plan the commercialization of research outcomes [PO8, SS6] (C5)

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Course Description
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

This course provides

• the essential knowledge and skills in embarking research and
applying research methods,

• focusing on scientific research area of studies and aimed primarily at

the postgraduate level.

• In general, it covers a variety of aspects relevant to the planning,

execution and reporting a research project systematically and
ethically, from initial conceptual phases; to data collection and
analysis; and write-up (dissertation/article).

• Finally, a brief project commercialization is introduced.

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (4hrs)

1.1 Definition and types of research

1.2 Research process
1.3 Thinking like a researcher – Understanding Concepts,
Constructs, Variables, and Definition
1.4 Hypothesis of research
Chapter
1.5 Research proposal and aspects
1.6 Research Ethics and Integrity 1

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CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH DESIGN (3hrs)

Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

2.1 Research problem and objectives

2.2 Literature review
2.3 Design of experiments
2.4 Data collection methods
Chapter

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Mechanical Engineering

CHAPTER 3: DATA COLLECTION (4hrs)

College of Engineering

3.1 Sampling techniques

3.2 Source of data (primary and secondary data)
3.3 Questionnaire
3.4 Pilot study
Chapter
3.5 Experimental and case study
3

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Mechanical Engineering

CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS (3hrs) College of Engineering

4.1 Qualitative and quantitative analysis

4.2 Statistical analysis
4.3 Validation and verification of data

Chapter

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CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH REPORTS (3hrs) Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

5.1 Structure and components of research report

5.2 Types of reports
5.3 Formatting and documentation
5.4 Tables, graphs, pictures and references
Chapter
5.5 Plagiarism
5

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CHAPTER 6: RESEARCH
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

COMMERCIALIZATION (3hrs)

6.1 Creativity and innovation in technology

6.2 Technology project / business blueprint
6.3 Feasibility studies
6.4 Intellectual properties
Chapter
6.5 Financing of technological ventures
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Teaching Methodologies
School of
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

Journal/Article
Critique Directed Self-
learning
Case
Study

Lectures &
Discussion
Presentation

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Summary of Assessment
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 2

CO CO - DESCRIPTION TYPE OF ASSESSMENT %
(Individual) (Individual) (Group)

Explain the principles and processes involved in

Assignment 1 1 research design Individual 10%
[PO1, SS1](C3)

Apply Professional Conduct and Research Ethics

Assignment 2 2 Individual 10%
[PO6, SS4](A5)

Formulate problem statement and research gap via 65%

Assignment 3
3 literature review Individual 25%
[PO3, SS1](C5)

Apply the main techniques used for data collection,

analysis and
Assignment 4 4 Individual 20%
verification [PO2, SS1](C3)

Present the scientific findings using written, oral and Journal Article
Assignment 5 5 15% 15%
visual techniques [PO4, SS2](A3) Critique

Plan the commercialization of research outcomes

20%
Assignment 6 6 [PO8, SS6] (C5) Group Project 20% Task Task

Total Marks 100%

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References
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

Recommended Text
Sherri Jackson, Research Methods and Statistics: A Critical Thinking Approach, 5th Ed, Cengage
Learning, 2015, ISBN: ISBN: 9781305

Other References
Scott A. Gold,, Research Methods in Science and Engineering,, CRC Press, 2016, ISBN: 9781482208290,
URL: n/a

J. C. Gibbings, The Systematic Experiment, Cambridge University Press, 1986, ISBN: 9780521309820,
URL: n/a

Peter Clough,Cathy Nutbrown, A Student's Guide to Methodology, SAGE, ISBN: 9781446208625, 2012,
URL: n/a

David Shelters, Start-Up Guide for the Technopreneur, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 978111851850, 2012,
URL: n/a

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