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SS310 - Research Methodology
Dr. Shahzad Saleem
Introduction
A hands on course designed to inform and equip
students in the foundational methods and
techniques of academic research.
You would be practically exposed to the main
components of a research framework
Problem definition
Literature review
Research design
Data collection and statistical data analysis
Report writing and presentation
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Todays Definition of Research
To answer scientific questions
To solve problems
To make something new
Research Hierarchy
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Research Progress
What is Necessary for Research
For example, Digital Signal Processing
Background
Mathematics, signals and systems
Engineering tools:
Software(Matlab, Simulink, C/C++) and hardware(DSPs, FPGAs)
Methods(skills)
How to think logically
How to start to do research
How to find qualitative references
How to make research plan
How to manage the research progress
How to present the result: oral presentation and writing
How to deal with research result(e.g., legal aspect: patent)
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Aims & Objectives
To develop and practice methods for research in
Engineering
Tasks you will be asked to do
Select your own research topic
Find qualified stuffs for your own research topic
Make a schedule for your research(Management skill)
Make oral presentation(communication skill)
Write reports(technical writing)
Make outcome(Patent and publication)
Course Outline
Introduction to research
Research documents
Literature Review
Finding related literature
Reading different types of literature
Critically reviewing scientific literature
Scientific/Technical writing
Good and bad writing practices
Research paper and thesis writing
Writing a literature review
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Course Outline
Legal, social, ethical, and professional issues
related to scientific research
Research Presentation
Technical presentations
Poster presentation
Defending your research
Handling difficult questions and comments
Research Proposals
Course Evaluation - Tentative
Class Contribution 10 %
Assignments 20 %
Course Paper (or Project) 50%
25% presentation, 25% report
Final Exam 20%
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Course Evaluation
Course paper
Choose a research topic (Technical Supervisor)
Write a concept note (Technical Supervisor)
Defend the concept note
Perform Literature Survey (Technical Supervisor)
Finalize paper hypothesis (Technical Supervisor)
Present midterm progress
Conduct experimentation to
prove hypothesis (Technical Supervisor)
Analysis of results (Technical Supervisor)
Conclude and finalize paper (Technical Supervisor)
Final presentation
Course Literature
Numerous textbooks and literature resources on
research methodology have been published or
are available online
Few interesting resources are listed below
Research Methods - The Basics, Nicholas Walliman,
Routledge, Taylor & Francis
Science Research Writing - A Guide for Non-Native
Speakers of English, Hilary Glasman-Deal, Imperial
College Press
From Research to Manuscript - A Guide to Scientific
Writing, Michael Jay Katz, Springer