9.

3 Preparation of Mock Research Proposal

Mock Research Proposal

Title:
"Enhancing Sustainability in Building Construction: An In-depth Exploration of Insulation
Material Performance"

Authors:
Kumar, D., Alam, M., Zou, P. X. W., Sanjayan, J. G., & Memon, R. A. (2020).
Summary of the Investigated Topic:
This study by Kumar et al. (2020) conducts a thorough analysis of various building insulation
materials, focusing on economic, environmental, and comfort considerations. The research
classifies insulations into conventional, state-of-the-art, and sustainable categories, evaluating
their properties under diverse climatic conditions. Additionally, the study emphasizes the
importance of hygroscopic, acoustic, and fire retardancy properties in addition to thermal
characteristics.
Research Question:
How do diverse building insulation materials compare concerning economy, environmental
impact, and performance across varied climatic conditions?

Research Methods and Validation Techniques:

The research methodology employed a comprehensive quantitative approach to address the
research question.
Literature Review and Computational Analysis: A comprehensive literature review was
conducted to gather insights into various insulation materials and their properties.
Computational analysis was utilized to simulate and analyze the behavior of insulation materials
across diverse climatic conditions.
Categorization and Characterization: The insulation materials were systematically categorized
into three groups: conventional, state-of-the-art, and sustainable, based on their inherent nature.
Thorough characterization of each insulation group was performed, including thermal properties,
hygroscopicity, acoustic performance, and fire retardancy.
Data Analysis and Economic/Lifecycle Analysis: Numerous data analysis was undertaken to
compare the performance of diverse insulation materials.
9.3 Preparation of Mock Research Proposal

Economic and lifecycle analyses were conducted to evaluate the long-term feasibility and
sustainability of different insulation options.
Conclusion:
This proposed research aims to extend the work initiated by Kumar et al. (2020) by going deeper
into sustainable insulation materials. The research will replicate a similar quantitative
methodology, incorporating literature review, computational analysis, categorization, and
comprehensive data analysis. Additionally, the proposal seeks to augment the research by
exploring the practical applications of these materials and assessing their real-world performance
in the context of energy-efficient building designs. The objective is to contribute valuable
understanding into sustainable building practices, providing guidance for selecting insulation
materials in construction projects.

Reference:
KUMAR, D., ALAM, M., ZOU, P. X. W., SANJAYAN, J. G. & MEMON, R. A. 2020.
Comparative analysis of building insulation material properties and performance. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 131, 110038.