development of a research project

8/7/2019 Development of a research project

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Development of a researchDevelopment of a research

projectproject

Dr AhmadDr Ahmad TarmiziTarmizi binbin AbdAbd KarimKarim,,

Associate Professor,Associate Professor,

Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering,Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering,

UniversitiUniversiti TunTun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)ParitParit RajaRaja

GSA Seminar: Introduction to Postgraduate Research; 14 April

2009


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MastersMasters vsvs PhDPhD (SPS UTM, 2001)(SPS UTM, 2001)The degree ofThe degree ofMasterMaster is tois to

be regarded asbe regarded as

representing anrepresenting an extensionextension

and further developmentand further development

of know ledge beyondof know ledge beyond

the Bachelorthe Bachelors degrees degree

The degree ofThe degree ofPhDPhD is to be regarded asis to be regarded as

supervised research training (researchsupervised research training (research

apprenticeship)apprenticeship) . The test of success or. The test of success or

the training is assessed through a thesisthe training is assessed through a thesis

which is expected to provide evidence ofwhich is expected to provide evidence of

somesome originalityoriginality and thereby make someand thereby make some

significant contribution to know ledgesignificant contribution to know ledge atatleast some of which might beleast some of which might be publishablepublishable

laterlater

The Research MasterThe Research Masterss

degree would includedegree would includeinitial training ininitial training in

research methodologyresearch methodology

and, as such, can be aand, as such, can be a

preparation for thepreparation for thesuccessful pursuit to thesuccessful pursuit to the

PhDPhD

The PhD dissertation fulfills 2 majorThe PhD dissertation fulfills 2 major

purposes:purposes:It is anIt is an extensive, highly professionalextensive, highly professional

trainingtraining experience, the successfulexperience, the successful

completion of which demonstrates thecompletion of which demonstrates the

candidatecandidates ability to addresss ability to address majormajorintellectual problemintellectual problem and arrive at aand arrive at a

successful conclusionsuccessful conclusion independentlyindependently andand

at aat a high level of professionalhigh level of professional

competencecompetence, and, andIts results constitute anIts results constitute an originaloriginal

contribution to know ledgecontribution to know ledge in the fieldin the field


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Expectation of the Master & PhD awardExpectation of the Master & PhD awardBefore recommending theBefore recommending the

award of theaward of the MPhilMPhil. (2 yr. (2 yr

course), the examinerscourse), the examiners

shall satisfy themselvesshall satisfy themselves

that the thesis isthat the thesis is

clearlyclearly

writtenwritten , that it, that it takes duetakes due

account of previouslyaccount of previously

published workpublished work on theon the

subject, and it represents asubject, and it represents acontribution to learningcontribution to learning

Before recommending the award ofBefore recommending the award of

the PhD degree the examiners shallthe PhD degree the examiners shall

satisfy themselves that thesatisfy themselves that the

dissertation isdissertation is clearly w rittenclearly w ritten, that, that

itit

takes due account of previouslytakes due account of previously

published workpublished work on the subject, andon the subject, and

that it represents athat it represents a significantsignificant andand

substantial contribution ofsubstantial contribution of

knowledgeknowledge, e.g. through the, e.g. through thediscovery of new knowledgediscovery of new knowledge, the, the

connection of previously unrelatedconnection of previously unrelated

factsfacts, the, the development of new theorydevelopment of new theory,,

or theor the revision of older viewsrevision of older views..Examiners are asked to bear in mindExaminers are asked to bear in mind

that the subject of a PhD candidatethat the subject of a PhD candidatess

research is approved in the light ofresearch is approved in the light of

what it is reasonable to expect awhat it is reasonable to expect astudent tostudent to complete w ithin threecomplete w ithin three

years full time researchyears full time research


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(1) Right People

(2) Right Project

(3) Right Resources

(6) Success

ful MPhil

/PhD

(4) Right Place

(5) Right Time

Research Higher Degrees Getting it Right; University of Queensland,Australia Model

(1) Compatible between

candidate &

supervisor(s)

(2) Suitability of research

topic & research interest

(3) & (4) Research proposal

developed in collaboration

with potential school and

supervisor

(5) Able to devote adequate time

to the research & maintain regular

& effective contact.

Before enrolled as a research student


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Characteristics of a successful PhDCharacteristics of a successful PhD

studentsstudentsSuccessful PhD students tend to:Successful PhD students tend to:

Enjoy learning for learningEnjoy learning for learnings sakes sake

Be willing to work very hard forBe willing to work very hard formany years with only a possiblemany years with only a possiblepayoff laterpayoff later

Be persistent (never give up)Be persistent (never give up)

Like intellectual challengesLike intellectual challenges

Enjoy an academic environmentEnjoy an academic environment Enjoy scholarly discussionsEnjoy scholarly discussions

Have excellent command ofHave excellent command ofundergraduate courseworkundergraduate coursework

Be willing to give up some partiesBe willing to give up some parties

and other pastimes to do researchand other pastimes to do research Be willing to live on a tight budgetBe willing to live on a tight budget

for many years or have outsidefor many years or have outsideincomeincome

Do you have these characteristics?Do you have these characteristics?

(The Princeton Review, 2009)(The Princeton Review, 2009)


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10 tips for doing your PhD10 tips for doing your PhD

OK you are a PhD student: What next?OK you are a PhD student: What next?

Talk to yourTalk to your supervisor(ssupervisor(s))

Stay focusedStay focused Start with a planStart with a plan

Be flexibleBe flexible

Stay sane while researchingStay sane while researching Set yourself achievable deadlinesSet yourself achievable deadlines

Stick to your achievable deadlinesStick to your achievable deadlines

Know when to stopKnow when to stop Choose tough but friendly examinersChoose tough but friendly examiners

Think about the next stepThink about the next step

Career developmentCareer development -- http://http://www.jobs.ac.ukwww.jobs.ac.uk

20/7/08

R h C l /P 1 2 3 4 5R h C l /P 1 2 3 4 5


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Research Cycle/Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Research Cycle/Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Opening up againReview the literature. Look

at the focus again.

Opening Up

Reflect, read, question,stand back; look closely,resist quick decisions. Focusing in

Identify the question,

hypothesis or focus.Aim for clarity of terms

Opening up again

Review the literature. Lookat the focus again.

Focusing InDesign the Research Proposal.

Purpose/rationale and aimsAudience.

Question, hypothesis or focus.Literature review.

Description and justification ofmethod.

Means of data collection andanalysis.

Ethical issues.Means of dissemination.

Entering

Gaining access to theresearch site.Observing ethical

protocol.

Being transparent.

Measuring & Collecting

the data

Analysing the dataModelling, verifying accuracy,

SharingWrite up, report,

thesis, publish.

Lit.

Rev.

Method-

ology

Intro-

duction

Result &

Ana-lysis

Con-

clusion &Recommen

dations


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(1) Methodology(1) Methodology

Process Raw

samples

Prepare conta-

minated samples

S & S of contaminated

samples

Physical Tests

Leaching Tests

Physical, chemical & mineral

characterization of raw sample

Mixing NaCl & 0.5% As, Cd, Pb, Cr,

Cu & Zn oxides to matrix

Water-cement = 0.5 & with variable

opc & ash ratios

UCS, Absorption & Permeability Tests

Standard Tests: TCLP, SPLP, ANC,

DLT.


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Gerald had begun to think that hismethodology was too detailed.


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Raw sample processing & preparation of contaminated samples


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MetalsMetals MassMass ofof

metal (g)metal (g)

ConcentraConcentra--

tiontion ((mgmg/kg)/kg)

Normal orNormal or

backgroundbackgroundconcconc..

((mgmg/kg)/kg)

PollutantPollutant

ratioratio

AsAs22OO33 0.666780.66678 50005000 1010 500500

CdOCdO 0.576890.57689 50005000 0.50.5 1000010000

PbOPbO 0.544080.54408 50005000 5050 100100

CrCr22OO33 0.738160.73816 50005000 100100 5050

CuOCuO 0.645540.64554 50005000 3030 167167

ZnOZnO 0.628740.62874 50005000 5050 100100

NaClNaCl 1.277391.27739 50005000 --

SoilSoil 94.994.9 --

TotalTotal 100100 --

Mass of compound (metal) added to 100g sampel


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S & S Experiments


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Physical & Leaching Tests


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10.00

100.00

1000.00

10000.00

100000.00

1000000.00

10000000.00

1.00 3.00 5.00 7.00 9.00 11.00 13.00

pH

K

epekatan(ug/L).

Purata Pb Purata Na Purata Cd Purata Cr Purata Zn

Purata Cu Purata As

Na

CdZn

As

Cu

Pb

Cr

Results: Leachability of metals wrt pH

For pH < 5, Na Cd > Zn Cu > Pb > As > Cr (very soluble toinsoluble);pH = 6, Na Cd > Zn > As > Pb > Cu > CrpH = 7, Na > Cd > Zn > As > Cu > Pb > Cr7 < pH < 10, Na > Cd > As > Cu > Zn > Pb CrpH = 12, Na > Cd > Zn > Pb > As > Cu > Cr


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Metal Model:

log (metals) = pH3 + pH 2 + pH +

Regressioncoeff.,

R2

Cd log (Cd) =8106.1 pH3 169884pH2 + 796020 pH + 839066

90.9

Zn log (Zn) =4635.1 pH3 91755pH2 + 392716 pH + 497130

89.1

As log (As) =936.7 pH3 19062 pH2

+ 84464 pH + 11944792.7

Pb log (Pb) =1652.7 pH3 28485

pH2 + 77888 pH + 391496

87.1

Cu log (Cu) =1572 pH3 16893 pH2

- 113975 pH + 100000088.0

Cr log (Cr) =1.3533 pH3 18.97pH2 49.083 pH + 1036.5

90.7

Empirical Models of Leaching of metals with respect to pH


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10 tips for getting through10 tips for getting through

your viva voceyour viva voce

Submit a thesis you are proud ofSubmit a thesis you are proud of

Choose the right examiners (and know theirChoose the right examiners (and know theirwork)work)

Put down your thesis for as long as possible!Put down your thesis for as long as possible!

Know your argumentKnow your argument Realize what you could have done differentlyRealize what you could have done differently

Relax the night beforeRelax the night before

Dress to impressDress to impress Take a copy of your thesis to the vivaTake a copy of your thesis to the viva

Relax and enjoy it!Relax and enjoy it!

Take on board any comments and criticismsTake on board any comments and criticisms

Career developmentCareer development -- http://http://www.jobs.ac.ukwww.jobs.ac.uk


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19/20

I dont care what you think , George said,

my paper is dynamic and stimulating.


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THANK YOU

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