ECEG 7901: Research Methods For Engineering

Course Objectives: This course enables students to understand and apply

 methodologies and process of doing scientific research projects.
 presentation skills both in written and oral form

Course content and outline

I. THEORY ON RESEARCH METHODS

1. Research methods
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Definitions of research
1.3. Research in science, humanities and art
1.4. Types of researches
1.5. Cutting edge R&D areas in Science and Technology
1.6. Significance of research for a country
1.7. Research methods and methodologies
1.8. Research and Scientific Method

2. Systems and Scientific Modelling

2.1 Systems
2.1.1. The subject of research as a system concept
2.1.2. Description of system variables
2.1.3. Characterization/types of systems
2.2. Scientific Modelling
2.2.1. Mathematical modelling
2.2.2. Statistical modelling
2.2.3. Empirical modelling
2.2.4. Model verification, validation and credibility (certification)/reliability

3. Scientific inquiry and methodology

3.1 Models of scientific inquiry
3.1.1 Classical model
3.1.2 Pragmatic model
3.2. Elements of scientific method
 Characterizations; Hypotheses; Predictions; Experiments
 Evaluation and improvement
 Confirmation
3.3. A linearized form of scientific method

4. Process in Research Proposal Development

 Research and project proposals
 Format of proposals

5. The scientific research process – a more pragmatic approach

4.1. Formulating the research problem;
4.2. Literature survey;
4.3. Developing hypothesis;
4.4. Preparing the research design: (modeling, simulation or physical setup or determining sample design in case of
statistical studies)
 4.5. Collecting/generation the data;
4.6. Analysis of data;
4.7. Hypothesis testing;
4.8. Generalizations and interpretation, and
4.9. Preparation of report or presentation of the results

6. Planning research projects/activities

 The Gantt chart, CPM and PERT tools of project planning

7. Presentation of Scientific Report (writing and speaking)

7.1. Presentation of Written Scientific report

7.2 Oral Presentation of Technical Report

8. Management of R&D of information (sources/sinks) and R&D forums

8.1. R&D (discussion) forums

 Seminars
 Conference
 Panel discussions
 Your roles in discussion forums (as presenter, audience, …)

8.2. Organization, documentation and rating of R&D Information

 Journals
 Conference papers
 Proceedings
o Rating
o Selling (on line)

9. Intellectual Property Rights

 Industrial property (patents, industrial designs, utility models, and trade marks)
 Copyright

10. Ethics in R&D

II. PRACTICE ON RESEARCH METHODS

 Preparing a written research proposal

 Presenting (oral) the research proposal
 Etc

Evaluation scheme:
Reference:
1. Essence of Research, Jan_Jonker and etal
2. Fundamental of Research Methodology, Y. Kumar_Singh
3. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, Isadore Newman and etal
4. Research Methodology, Haakon Breien
5. Research Methodology : Methods and Techniques, C.R._Kothari