RVCollege

RV Collegeofof Go, change the world

Engineering
Engineering

Dept of Mech. Engg.

Unit 1: Overview of Research

M Krishna
RV College of Go, change the world
Engineering Presentation Agenda

 Research and its types,

 Identifying and Defining research problem
 Introduction to different research designs.
 Essential constituents of Literature Review.
 Basic principles of experimental design
 Completely randomized
 Randomized block
 Latin Square
 Factorial
RV College of
Research and Their Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering
Objectives
Definition
Research: The systematic, rigorous investigation of a situation or problem in order to
generate new knowledge or validate existing knowledge.

To find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet

Objectives

 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon

 To revel accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (diagnostic research)
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
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Research Motivation Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

 Desire to get a research degree

 Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
 Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
 Desire to be of service to society;
 Desire to get respectability.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

1. Applied research refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical
problems. Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness,
and develop innovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's
sake Eg.
 Improve agricultural crop production
 Treat or cure a specific disease
 Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation
 A study into the ways of improving the levels of customer retention for Wall-Mart in
China
 An investigation into the ways of improving employee motivation in Marriot Hotel,
Hyde Park
 Development of strategies to introduce change in Starbucks global supply-chain
management with the view on cost reduction
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

2. Basic research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The

main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. There
is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from basic research.
Eg.
• How did the universe begin?
• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
• How do slime moulds reproduce?
• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
• An investigation looking at whether stress levels influence how often students engage
in academic cheating.
• A study looking at how caffeine consumption impacts the brain.
• A study assessing whether men or women are more likely to suffer from depression.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

3. Correlational research refers to the systematic investigation or statistical study of

relationships among two or more variables, without necessarily determining cause and
effect.

It Seeks to establish a relation / association / correlation between two or more variables

that do not readily lend themselves to experimental manipulation

For example, to test the hypothesis “ Listening to music lowers blood pressure levels”
there are two ways of conducting research
Experimental – group samples and make one group listen to music and then compare
the BP levels
Survey – ask people how they feel ? How often they listen? And then compare
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

3. Correlational research
Consider hypothetically, a researcher is studying a correlation between cancer and
marriage. In this study, there are two variables: cancer and marriage. Let us say
marriage has a negative correlation with cancer. This means that people who are
married are less likely to develop cancer.

Advantages:
1) Can collect much information from many subjects at one time.
2) Can study a wide range of variables and their interrelations.
3) Study variables that are not easily produced in the laboratory.

Disadvantages:
1) Correlation does not indicate causation( cause and effect).
2) Problems with self-report method .
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

4. Descriptive research refers to research that provides an accurate portrayal of

characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group. Descriptive research, also
known as statistical research.

In short descriptive research deals with everything that can be counted and studied,
which has an impact of the lives of the people it deals with.

Eg. Finding the most frequent disease that affects the children of a town. The reader of
the research will know what to do to prevent that disease thus, more people will live a
healthy life.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

4. Descriptive research
Advantages:
 The people individual studied are unaware so they act naturally or as they usually do
in everyday situation;
 It is less expensive and time consuming than quantitative experiments;
 Collects a large amount of notes for detailed studying;
 As it is used to describe and not make any conclusions it is to start the research with
it;
Disadvantages
 Descriptive research requires more skills.
 Does not identify cause behind a phenomenon
 Response rate is low in this research.
 Results of this research can change over the period of time.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

5. Ethnographic research refer to the investigation of a culture through an in-depth

study of the members of the culture; it involves the systematic collection, description,
and analysis of data for development of theories of cultural behaviour.

 It studies people, ethnic groups and other ethnic formations, their ethno genesis,
composition, resettlement, social welfare characteristics, as well as their material and
spiritual culture.
 Data collection is often done through participant observation, interviews,
questionnaires, etc.
 The purpose of ethnographic research is to attempt to understand what is happening
naturally in the setting and to interpret the data gathered to see what implications
could be formed from the data.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

6. Experimental research is an objective, systematic, controlled investigation for the

purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena and examining probability and
causality among selected variables.

Experimental research is one of the founding quantitative research methods. The

simplest example of an experimental research is conducting a laboratory test. As long as
research is being conducted under scientifically acceptable conditions – it qualifies as an
experimental research.

Advantages
• Best establishes cause-and-effect relationships
Disadvantages
• Artificiality
• Feasibility
• Unethical
The simplest experimental design includes two variables and two groups of participants.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

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Engineering

6. Experimental research

The two variables(Independent versus Dependent variables).

 The IV is the predictor variable whereas the DV is the outcome variable.
 Researchers manipulate and control the IV to study it's effect on the DV.

The two groups of participants (Control versus Experimental group).

 Before beginning the experiment, the researcher (randomly) assigns his/her sample
to two different groups: the control group and the experimental (treatment group or
clinical group).
 The control group receives no manipulation of the IV (no treatment), whereas the
experimental group receives the manipulation of the IV.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

7. Exploratory research is a type of research conducted for a problem that has not been
clearly defined. Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.
 The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for decision-making by
themselves, but they can provide significant insight into a given situation
 Exploratory research is not typically generalizable to the population at large.
 Exploratory research can be quite informal, relying on secondary research such as
reviewing available literature and / or data, or qualitative approaches such as
informal discussions with consumers, employees, management or competitors, and
more formal approaches through in-depth interviews, focus groups, projective
methods, case studies or pilot studies.
Eg.
 A study into the role of social networking sites as an effective marketing
communication channel.
 An investigation into the ways of improvement of quality of customer services within
hospitality sector in London.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

8. Grounded theory research is a research approach designed to discover what problems

exist in a given social environment and how the persons involved handle them; it involves
formulation, testing, and reformulation of propositions until a theory is developed. (Data
Collection Method)

Grounded theory is a research method that operates almost in a reverse fashion from
traditional research and at first may appear to be in contradiction to the scientific
method.
Four stages:
1. Codes-Identifying anchors that allow the key points of the data to be gathered
2. Concepts-Collections of codes of similar content that allows the data to be grouped
3. Categories-Broad groups of similar concepts that are used to generate a theory
4. Theory-A collection of explanations that explain the subject of the research
(hypotheses)
RV College of
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Engineering

9. Historical research is research involving analysis of events that occurred in the remote
or recent past
Application
 Historical research can show patterns that occurred in the past and over time which
can help us to see where we came from and what kinds of solutions we have used in
the past.
 Understanding this can add perspective on how we examine current events and
educational practices.
The steps involved in the conduct of historical research
1. Identification of the research topic and formulation of the research problem.
2. Data collection or literature review
3. Evaluation of materials
4. Data synthesis
5. Report preparation or preparation of the narrative exposition
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

10. Historical research.

Strengths
• Provides a comprehensive picture of historical trends
• Uses existing information
• Provides evidence of on-going trends and problems
Limitations
• Time-consuming
• Resources may be hard to locate
• Resources may be conflicting
• May not identify cause of a problem
• Information may be incomplete, obsolete, inconclusive, or inaccurate
• Data restricted to what already exists
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

11. Phenomenological research an inductive, descriptive research approach developed

from phenomenological philosophy; its aim is to describe an experience as it is actually
lived by the person
 Phenomenology is concerned with the study of experience from the perspective of
the individual, ‘bracketing’ taken-for granted assumptions and usual ways of
perceiving.
 They are based in a paradigm of personal knowledge and subjectivity, and emphasise
the importance of personal perspective and interpretation.
 As such they are powerful for understanding subjective experience, gaining insights
into people’s motivations and actions, and cutting through the clutter of taken-for-
granted assumptions and conventional wisdom.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

On a broader perspective, all researches can be classified into two groups:

 Qualitative research is research dealing with phenomena that are difficult or
impossible to quantify mathematically, such as beliefs, meanings, attributes, and
symbols

Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behaviour

and the reasons that govern such behaviour. The qualitative method investigates the
why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when.

Eg.
The softness of your skin, the grace with which you run, and the colour of your eyes.
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

Qualitative research
Advantages
 It enables more complex aspects of a persons experience to be studied
 Fewer restriction or assumptions are placed on the data to be collected.
 Not everything can be quantified, or quantified easily, Individuals can be studied in
more depth
 Good for exploratory research and hypothesis generation
 The participants are able to provide data in their own words and in their own way
Disadvantages
 It is more difficult to determine the validity and reliability of linguistic data there is
more subjectivity involved in analysing the data.
 “Data overload” – open-ended questions can sometimes create lots of data, which
can take along time to analyse!
 Time consuming
RV College of
Types of Research Go, change the world

Mechanical Engineering Department

Engineering

Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of any phenomena

via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative
research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses
pertaining to phenomena Quantitative research is generally made using scientific
methods, which can include:

 The generation of models, theories and hypotheses

 The development of instruments and methods for measurement
 Experimental control and manipulation of variables
 Collection of empirical data
 Modelling and analysis of data
 Evaluation of results
RV College of
Engineering Types of Research Go, change the world

Advantages
 Quantitative research allows the researcher to measure and analyse data.
 The researcher is more objective about the findings of the research.
 Quantitative research can be used to test hypotheses in experiments because of its
ability to measure data using statistics.
Disadvantages
 The main disadvantage of quantitative research is the context of the study or
experiment is ignored.
 Quantitative research does not study things in a natural setting or discuss the
meaning things have for different people.
 A large sample of the population must be studied for more accurate results
 RV College of
Engineering Research difference Go, change the world

Descriptive v/s Analytical

Survey &Fact finding (Cause-and-effect relationships) Use facts or information
Social Science & Business research (Ex Post Fact Analyze data to make a critical evaluation of the material
research)
Researcher has no control over the variables (only Finding the inter-relationship between the parameters
report)

Applied v/s Fundamental

Finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a Concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of
society or Industrial organization theory (Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake1)
 Marketing Research  Natural Phenomenon
 Evaluation Research  Mathematics
 Finding information in broad base
 RV College of
Engineering Research difference Go, change the world

Quantitative v/s Qualitative

Based on the measurement of quantity or amount Phenomena relating quality or kind
Ex: Weighing, Measuring, etc. Ex: Character, Personality, main kind

Conceptual v/s Empirical

Generate abstract ideas / theory Relies on experience or observation alone. (data based
research)
Philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or Attempt to establish cause and effect relationship
to reinterpret existing ones
 RV College of
Engineering Research Problem Go, change the world

A research problem is an issues or a concern that an

investigator / researcher presents and justifies in a research
study. WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING

THE PROBLEM
STATEMENT

WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING

Identification and formulation of a research problem is the first

step of the research process
It is the most challenging & difficult phase of the research
process.
 RV College of
Engineering Selecting a Research Go, change the world

Problem

Selection of a research problem depends on several factors such

as researcher’s knowledge, skills, interest, expertise, motivation
& creativity with respect to the subject chosen.

A good research studies needs a lots of time for selection of

research problem.

Initially every researcher faces a predicament of identifying,

selecting and formulating a good research problem.
 RV College of
Engineering Research Problem Go, change the world

Definition

A research problem is an area of concern where there is a gap in

the knowledge base needed for professional practices
 RV College of
Engineering Components of a Problem Go, change the world

Definition

1. Relevance of the study.

2. Title of the study.
3. Operational definitions of the variables.
4. Objectives of the study.
5. Delimitations of the study.
6. Scope & limitations of the study.
 RV College of
Engineering Identification of Research Go, change the world

Problem

Identification of the research problem is the first step.

Generally a broad area is selected and then it is delimited or

narrowed down to a specific one sentence statement of the
problem.
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

1. Personal experience.
2. Practical experience.
3. critical appraisal of literature.
4. Previous research.
5. existing theories.
6. Social issues.
7. Brainstorming.
8. Intuition.
9. Folklores.
10.Exposure to field situation.
11.Consultation with experts
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

1. Personal experience: Day to day experience of the researcher

serves as a good source of ideas to formulate research problem.
2. Practical experience: This serves as a source for identifying
research problems
3. Critical appraisal of literature: When one looks at books, articles,
summaries of clinical issues relating to the subject of our
interest, pertinent questions may arise (These may strike the
reader’s mind by stimulating imagination and directly the
additional research needed.)
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

4. Previous research: A body of knowledge is developed on a sound

research finding. Usually at the end of the research problems are
suggested based on the shortcoming of the previous research,
these could be investigated.

5. Existing theories: Research is a process of theory development

and theory testing. If an existing theory is used in developing a
researchable problem, a specific statement from theory must be
isolated. Generally a part or parts of a theory are subjected to
testing in a clinical situation. The testing of a theory is needed
therefore they serve as a good source of research problem.
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

6. Social issues: Sometimes issues of global contemporary or

political issues of relevance are suggested. A idea for a research
may stem from a familiarity with social concerns or controversial
social issues.
7.Brainstorming: Brainstorming sessions are good techniques to
find new research questions. Brainstorming refers to intensified
discussions among interested people of the profession in order to
find more ideas to formulate a good research problem.
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

7. Intuition : Intuitions' are considered good sources of knowledge

as well as sources to find new research problems. It is believed that
reflective mind is a good source of ideas, which may be used to find
out new and good research problems.

8. Folklores: Common beliefs could be right or wrong. ( E.g.,

Studying just before examination decrease the score. A researcher
can conduct a study to test this)
 RV College of
Engineering Sources of Research Problem Go, change the world

9. Exposure to field situation: During field exposure researchers get

a variety of experiences which may provide plenty of ideas to
formulate research problems.

10. Consultation with experts : Experts are believed to have sound

experience of their respective field, which may suggest a significant
problem to be studied. In addition experts may help in finding a
current problem of discipline to be solved which may serve as a
basis for formulation of research problem.
 RV College of
Engineering Research Design Go, change the world

 Task of defining the research problem is the preparation of the

research project, popularly known as the “research design".

 Decisions regarding what, where, when, how much, by what

means concerning an inquiry or a research study constitute a
research design.

 A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection

and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance
to the research purpose with economy in procedure.
 RV College of
Engineering Research Design Go, change the world

Before research answer these:

 What is the study about?
 Why is the study being made?
 Where will the study be carried out?
 What type of data is required?
 Where can the required data be found?
 What periods of time will the study include?
 What will be the sample design?
 What technique of data collection will be used?
 How will the data be analyzed?
 In what style will be report be prepared?
 RV College of
Engineering Need for Research Design Go, change the world

 Research design is needed because it facilitates the smooth sailing

of the various research operations, thereby making research as
efficient as possible yielding maximal information with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
 Research design stands for advance planning of the methods to
be adopted for collecting the relevant data and the techniques to
be used in their analysis, keeping in view the objective of the
research and the availability of staff, time and money.
 Preparation of the research design should be done with great care
as any error in it may upset the entire project.
 RV College of
Engineering Research Design have Go, change the world

following parts
 Sampling design: Which deals with the methods of selecting items
to be observed for the study.

 Observational design: Which relates to the condition under which

the observation are to be create.

 Statistical design : Which concern the question of the of How the

information and data gathered are to be analyzed ?

 Operational design: Which deals with techniques by which the

procedures satisfied in sampling .
 RV College of
Engineering Features of a Good Research Go, change the world

Design
A research design appropriate for a particular research problem,
usually involves the following features.
 The mean of obtaining information.
 The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any.
 The objective of the problem to be studied.
 The nature of the problem to be studied .
 The availability of time and money for the research work.
 RV College of
Engineering Important Concepts Relating to Go, change the world

Research Design
Concepts
 Can take on different quantitative values is called a variable.
 Can take on different qualitatively values even in decimal value are called
continues.
 That are not related to the purpose of the study but may effect on the
dependent variables are termed as the extraneous variables (experimental
error)
 One important characteristic of a good research is to minimize the
influence or effect. The terminal term used when we design the study
minimizing the effect of extraneous independent variable (Control)
 RV College of
Engineering Important Concepts Relating to Go, change the world

Research Design
 When the dependent variable is not free from the influence of extraneous
variable .the relationship between the depended and independent variable
is said to be confused by an extraneous variable (conformed relationship)

 The researcher hypothesis is a predicative statement that relates an

independent variable to dependent variable.

 When the purpose of research is to test a research hypothesis, it us termed

as hypothesis testing research. It can be experimental or non-expermantal
 RV College of
Engineering Important Concepts Relating to Go, change the world

Research Design
 When a group is exposed to usual conditions, it is termed as a
control group
 But when the group is exposed to be some special condition, it is
termed as Experimental group
 The different conditions under which Experiment and control
groups are put up usually referred to as treatment
 The process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis,
relating to some research problem, is known as an Experiment
 RV College of
Engineering Different Research Design Go, change the world

 Exploratory research study

 Descriptive and diagnostic research
 Hypothesis-testing research studies
 RV College of
Engineering Important Concepts Relating to Go, change the world

Research Design
 When a group is exposed to usual conditions, it is termed as a
control group
 But when the group is exposed to be some special condition, it is
termed as Experimental group
 The different conditions under which Experiment and control
groups are put up usually referred to as treatment
 The process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis,
relating to some research problem, is known as an Experiment
 RV College of
Engineering 1. Exploratory Research Study Go, change the world

Exploratory research method are also termed as formulate research

studied.

The main purpose is that of formulate the research problem, three

methods are
1. The survey of concerning literature
2. The experience survey
3. The analysis of ‘inside-stimulating
 RV College of Go, change the world
Engineering 1. Exploratory Research Study

The Survey of Concerning Literature

 This is most simple and fruitful method of formulating the
research problem
 Hypothesis is taken earlier workers and their usefulness be
evaluating as a basis for further
 RV College of Go, change the world
Engineering 1. Exploratory Research Study

2. The experience Survey

 The experience survey means the survey of people who had
practical experience .
 The object is to obtain new ideas relating to the research
problem.
 RV College of Go, change the world
Engineering 1. Exploratory Research Study

3. The Analysis of inside-simulating

 It is also a fruitful method of suggesting the hypothesis. It is
particularly suitable in the areas where there is little experience
to serve as a guide
 In this method the existing records may be examined
 RV College of
Engineering 2. Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Go, change the world

 in case of descriptive research study –one those studied which are

concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular
Individual , or a group.
 In diagnostic research study determine the frequency which some
thing occur
RV College of
Engineering 2. Descriptive and Diagnostic Research
Descriptive
Flexible Design
Judgmental Sampling
No predetermined Design
No fixed decision about the
operation procedures
Unconstructed instruments for
collection of data
Go, change the world
Diagnostic
Rigid Design
Random Sampling
Pre-determined design for
analysis
Advanced Decisions
Structured or well thought out
instruments for collection of Data
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Engineering 3. Hypothesis –Testing Research Go, change the world

Studies
 hypothesis-testing research studies known as experimental
studies are those researcher tests the hypothesis of casual
relationship between variables
 Such studies require procedures that will not only reduce bias
and increase reliability, but will permit drawing inferences
about interconnection.
 Usually experiments meet this requirement.
RV College of
Engineering Basic Principles of Experimental Go, change the world

Design

Professor Fisher has enumerated three principles of

experimental designs:
 the Principle of Replication;
 the Principle of Randomization; and
 Principle of Local Control
RV College of
Engineering Basic Principles of Experimental Go, change the world

Design

The Principle of Replication: the experiment should be

repeated more than once. By doing so the statistical accuracy
of the experiments is increased.

It should be remembered that replication is introduced in

order to increase the precision of a study; that is to say, to
increase the accuracy with which the main effects and
interactions can be estimated.
 RV College of
Engineering Basic Principles of Experimental Go, change the world

Design
The Principle of Randomization
 The Principle of Randomization provides protection, when
we conduct an experiment, against the effect of extraneous
factors by randomization.
 In other words, this principle indicates that we should
design or plan the experiment in such a way that the
variations caused by extraneous factors can all be
combined under the general heading of “chance.
 Through the application of the principle of randomization,
we can have a better estimate of the experimental error.
RV College of
Engineering Basic Principles of Experimental Go, change the world

Design
Principle of Local Control
 Under it the extraneous factor, the known source of variability, is made to vary
deliberately over as wide a range as necessary and this needs to be done in
such a way that the variability it causes can be measured and hence eliminated
from the experimental error.
 According to the principle of local control, we first divide the field into several
homogeneous parts, known as blocks, and then each such block is divided into
parts equal to the number of treatments.
 Then the treatments are randomly assigned to these parts of a block. Dividing
the field into several homogenous parts is known as ‘blocking’.
 In brief, through the principle of local control we can eliminate the variability
due to extraneous factor(s) from the experimental error.
RV College of
Engineering Important Experimental Design Go, change the world

Experimental design refers to the framework or structure of

an experiment and as such there are several experimental
designs.
We can classify experimental designs into two broad
categories,
1. Informal experimental designs
2. Formal experimental designs.
RV College of
Engineering Informal Experimental Designs Go, change the world

 Before-and-after without control design.

 After-only with control design.
 Before-and-after with control design
RV College of
Engineering Formal Experimental Designs Go, change the world

 Completely randomized design (C.R. Design).

 Randomized block design (R.B. Design).
 Latin square design (L.S. Design).
 Factorial designs.
RV College of
Engineering Formal Experimental Designs Go, change the world

Before-and-after without control design:

After-only with control design:

Before-and-after with control design: Examples are explained in the Class

RV College of
Engineering Completely Randomized Design Go, change the world

Two-group simple randomized design:

Examples are explained in the Class

RV College of
Engineering Completely Randomized Design Go, change the world

Examples are explained in the Class

RV College of
Engineering Randomized Block Design (RB Go, change the world

Design)

Examples problems are solved in Class

RV College of
Engineering Latin Square Design (L.S.Desigm) Go, change the world

Examples problems are solved in Class

RV College of Go, change the world
Engineering

Thank You for Your Kind

Attention