Related Course/s:

Aims & Objectives:

• Plan a research project
• Undertake a literature review
• Apply relevant research methodologies
• Carry out a statistical analysis of results
• Build a scientific model
• Write a research report
• Write a journal article
• Use computer software to assist these tasks.

Teaching Methods:

Distance Education via Blackboard and email

Assessment:

Generic Skills Outcomes:

• Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas.
• Operate effectively in work and community situations.
• Are adaptable and manage change.
• Are aware of environments in which they will be contributing.
• Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community.
• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals.
• In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline.
• Ability to understand problem identification, formulation and solution.
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

Content:

• What is research?
• Scheduling the research project

• Selecting a research problem
• Defining the research problem
• Critical evaluation of research Writing the research proposal
• Computer-aided information retrieval

• Observational methods
• Experimental methods
• Experimental design
• Computer-aided statistical analysis

• Measurement error
• Random variables
• Estimation
• Regression analysis
• Statistical tests
• Computer-aided statistical analysis

• Types of model
• Building a model
• Dimensional considerations
• Testing models
• Computer-aided modelling and simulation

• Format
• Content
• Style
• Writing the report
• Making a presentation
• Getting published
• Computer-aided presenting and publishing.

Reading Materials: