KJM650 / MEM601

Final Year Project (FYP)

Alias Mohd Saman

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

FYP1Course Outcomes

Formulate the problem statement of a project

Perform literature review and information prospecting

Carry out feasibility studies and of the potential solutions

Produce project planning for all activities conducted

Use logbook to record the progress of the project

Communicate project progress verbally and in writing

FYP1 Course Methodology

Student choose a topic

At the end of first semester, student are expected to present their

preliminary report of their projects
Upon satisfactory achievement, the student will be allowed to proceed
their work in the second phase of Final Year Project 2 KJM 660

What is research?

Application of the scientific approach to study a problem

Finding out
Problem solving

Systematic process of collecting and analyzing data in order to discover

new knowledge or expand and verify of existing one
It require scientific method

Scientific approach ?

Every effect has cause

Construction of hypothesis from observation and background knowledge

(Inductive reasoning)
Reasoning out consequences or implication of hypothesis (Deductive
reasoning)

Testing the implication

Confirm or reject the hypothesis

Quantitative vs. Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties

and their phenomena

Generation of models, theories and hypothesis

Development of instrument and methods of measurement

Experimental control and manipulation of variables

Collection of data

Modeling data

Analysis of data

Qualitative research

Gather in depth understanding of human behavior

Qualitative research is exploratory

Data collection is done through observation, interviews and

analysis of documents and materials

Phases of engineering research process

Phase 1:

Choosing a general topic, narrow the topic and collecting

information

Phase 2:

Organizing ideas, recording information, analysis, discussion and

conclusion

Phase 3 :

Writing, documentation and presentation

How to select a problem

Personal Practical experience

Past studies, look for incomplete solution, result unclear, doubtful

or debatable
Interaction with others- ask lecturers

Current development and trends

Brainstorming

Criteria ?

Interest
Capabilities and limitations

Uniqueness

Size
Economy

Statement of Research problem

May be written in form of:

Statement form
Research question form

Statement form

This study is design to measure the

effect of cutting speed and feed
rate on the tool life of carbide
cutting tool when turning hardened
steel

Research Question Form

What effect has the cutting

speed and feed rate has on
the tool life of ceramic
cutting tool during turning
operation on hardened
steel

Evaluating research problem

Feasible

Significant
Researchable

Too broad
Too narrow

Literature Review

Definition of terms or concepts

Unbiased and comprehensive view of the previous research on

the topic
Identify areas of controversy in the literature

Identify gaps in the literature

Development of theoretical framework

Citation and literature reviews

Give a specification of the findings (various degree

of detail depending on your report)

Acknowledge the researchers who published

those results
Take a stance towards the findings

Why
citation ?

To recognize and acknowledge the intellectual property rights

of other author

Act as a defense against plagiarism

Show respect to previous scholars

It indicates that the writer recognize the history of the field by

acknowledging previous important achievements

Tools of persuasion. Writers use citation to give their

statement greater authority

Demonstrate familiarity with the field

To create a research space.

Research Design

Refers to outline or strategy used in answering

research question
Method for collecting and analyzing the needed
information
Use to structure the research and show all of the
major part of the research project

Types of research designdesignExploratory

Gain background information, clarify problem and develop question

to be answered

The aim to generate ideas in field inquiry that is relatively unknown

Example: What are the problems hindering success of TQM in

Malaysian industries?

Descriptive

Provide accurate characterization of phenomenon under investigation

Example: Types of maintenance procedure used in Malaysian

automotive industries

Causal research

Understanding a phenomenon in terms of conditional statements

Use of experiments to determine the relationship

Example: Effect of temperature and pressure in surface mount

process

Data Collection
Quantitative data collection:
- Survey
- Experimental
Qualitative data collection:
- Interview
-

Documents
Observation

Data analysis

Process of interpretation of findings

Extract useful information

Develop conclusion

Qualitative data analysis

Interpretation of words and texts

Summary of words generated by interviews or observational data
Analysis that lead to a particular pattern

Quantitative data analysis

Interpretation of numerical data

Employ mathematical model

Provide connection between empirical observation and mathematical
expression of quantitative relationship

Discussion of findings
Discussion must relate to:
-

Literature
Research objectives
Problem statement

Conclusion
Important elements of conclusion:
- The importance of your research work
- Create new meaning or new picture
- Synthesize the importance point