tips for a successful thesis amar khoukhi systems engineering department, kfupm [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Outline Selecting a Research TopicSelecting a Research Topic
Research proposal preparationResearch proposal preparation
Research topic and titleResearch topic and title
Literature reviewLiterature review
Research questions Research questions
Research proposal writing Research proposal writing
Some definitions
Research : The process of searching, carefully, to answer a question using a method,
Many types of researchTheoretical
Theorems and proofsExperimental
Design related experimental results, engineering new products,
System developmentAlgorithm development, Coding, testing, …
Basic research skills don’t differ much
Most of the skills can be learnt or improved over time, if one wants
Some talent is needed, but alone it is not enoughPeople with great talent and no skills obtain much less than
what they could doNot only technical skills
Skill: The learned capacity or talent to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Wikipedia.com
Some definitions
Research Skills
‘‘A thesis for the PHD must form a distinctive contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical power’’, (University Of London Regulation)
→ An argument→ An exposition of an original piece of research→ The product of an apprenticeship→ Something that could be published:
e.g. at least one paper in a scholarly journal But you will probably never publish the whole thesis
Starting a thesis?
The Process of Research
Identify the Research Problem
Review theLiterature
Reportand
Disseminate Research
Specify a Research Purpose
Collect Data
Interpretthe Research
Analyze Data
Selecting a Research Topic
What are some considerations when selecting a research topic?
●Personal interest / Passion, Curiosity●Importance / Contribution to the field●Newness / Relevance ●Feasibility
Time constraints Ethical constraints Organizational support Availability of equipments
●After graduation employment possibilities
Answer:
Sources of Research Topics
●Discussion with faculty
●Faculty ongoing projects (KACST, DSR, RI, …)
●Previous student projects (B. Sc. M. Sc to
PhD)
●Peer-reviewed journals in your field
●Personal experiences
●Existing literature “Recommendations for
future research…”
Refining Your Topic
►Refinement needed for effective and efficient research●Narrow your topic●Identify a theoretical framework●Specifically and unambiguously define terms●State research questions and hypotheses
►A literature review will help you●See if your idea has been tried●Include all relevant constructs●Select instruments●Anticipate common problems
Research proposal Research proposal preparationpreparation
A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of
methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, making them known to all who need to know, and indicating the broader
impacts of the activity.Source: http://www.nsf.gov/
Purpose of the research proposal
1. To inform the reader of nature of your proposed research. What is the problem? What is its extent?
2. To convince the reader, especially supervisors and reviewers, of the value of your proposed research. Is this project worth the time and money? Will it make a difference to the world?
3. To demonstrate your expertise and competency in a particular area of study. ● Do you have the qualifications to conduct this research? ● Have you informed yourself of the existing theory and
data relevant to your topic?
The Proposal: Part 1,
Purpose of the research proposal
4. To plan the research project and provide a step-by-step guide to the tasks necessary for its completion. What are the key stages of the work?How do the various components fit together?
5. To request support from individuals and agencies who provide supervision, oversight or funding.What kinds of support does the project need?Are all participants properly protected?
6. To contract with the agencies and individuals involved, (e.g. supervisors, foundations and participants). ● How will tasks be assigned and resources
expended? ● What does each contribute to the collective
endeavor?
Parts of a ProposalParts of a Proposal Cover Page and Title
Project summary or Extended Abstract
Table of contents
Project description Introduction Literature review Problem statement Research objectives Research methodology Project tasks and milestones Budget deliverables
References cited
Project SummaryProject Summary Intellectual Merit
Describe the scientific/engineering/education problem and why it is important
State the overall objective of the project State the specific aims Describe how the aims will be achieved
Broader Impacts Educational & outreach activities;
infrastructure; dissemination of results; underrepresented groups; benefit to society
What is a Literature Review?
review of the literature “is a written summary of journal
articles, books and other documents that describes the past and current state of information, organizes the literature into topics and documents a need for a proposed study.” (pp. 79)
Creswell, J.W. (2005) Educational Research: Planning, Creswell, J.W. (2005) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and
Qualitative ResearchQualitative Research
The Proposal: Part 2, LR
Brings a reader up-to-date on what is known on a given topic
provide fresh insights that advance knowledge
Resolve conflicts between studiesIdentify new ways to interpret
research resultsCreating a path for future
research
What is a Literature Review?
The LR is not is not a “list” of found research but a coherent and articulate account of past and current research findings
Master’s Is summative, Covers methodological issues, research techniques and results topics.
Doctorate analytical synthesis, Covers all known literature on the subject, Links ideas conceptually across and within theories,
• The LR should be exhaustive and as current as possible. • How many articles?
• There is no set number. As long as the search is exhaustive and focused on the research topic, the review will be acceptable.
How far back should one search? widely accepted timeframe past 10 years, Pioneer and seminal works even if these go beyond.
What is a Literature Review?
Preliminary Literature ReviewGuidelines on Style, Mechanics,
and Language UsageDoes your draft follow the logic or idea that is presented
in your intro and title?Avoid overusing direct quotations, especially long onesCheck style manual for correct use of citationsAvoid using synonyms for recurring words
This is not creative writing and stay consistent with terminologyGroup I, Phoenix Cohort, Experimental Group
Spell out all acronyms when first using themTraditional - American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)Non-traditional - Collective Efficacy (CE)
No – Don’t use contractionsAvoid the following:
Slang – “cool”Colloquialisms – “thing” >> “item” or “feature” Idioms – “rise to the pinnacle” >> “to become prominent”
Use great care to avoid Plagiarism
Maintain Good Research Practices Throughout the Search
1. Maintain your search record.
2. Keep your research journal.
3. Make copies of all sources.
4. Be sure that the copy has full bibliographic information.
5. Check the reference list of every source you have located.
6. Back up all computer files (Every two weeks Time!!!)
7. Get expert help whenever you need it.
8. Keep your dissertation chair informed about progress and problems.
9. It is useful to set up and maintain a home page on the Internet.
Writing Your Research Question(s)
A good research topic asks a clear, concise question.
They, dictate what type of statistical analysis is needed, and what type of research design may be employed
Can be formulated based on theories, past research, previous experience, or the practical need to make data-driven decisions in a work environment
A research question should address only 1 concept
Question must be measurable (answerable)
From Topic (& Problem definition ) to Research Question
Directed and Independent Research ; Get one or two questions that will serve in your Theses as a chapter paper
From your course term projects- Design projects that fit with your research topic - Authorship vs. Ethics: Give Credit when Credit is due!
Research Questions
How do you read a statement of the problem passage?
Topic Research Problem
Evidence for the Importance of the Problem
Deficiencies in Knowledge about the Problem
Audiences that May Benefit
Subjectarea
•A concern•A problem•Something that needs a solution
•Evidence from the literature•Evidence from practical experiences
•In this body of evidence, what is missing? •What do we need to know more about?
How will addressingwhat we need toknow help:– researchers– educators– policy makers– individuals such as those in the study
An Example
Ethical issues in colleges
Ethical violationsamong football recruiters
•Gap in the literature•Reports of violations
Description identifying and characterizing violations
•Assessing violations•Helps recruiters develop better ethical standards•Helps athletes understand ethical issues
FLOW OF IDEAS
Differences among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions
General
Specific
Topic
ResearchProblem
PurposeStatement
ResearchQuestion
Distance learning
Lack of students in distance learning classes
To study why students do not attend distance education classes at a community college
Does the use of Web site technology in the classroom deter students from enrolling in a distance education class?
Differences among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions
General
Specific
Topic
ResearchProblem
PurposeStatement
ResearchQuestion
Mobile Robotics
Multi-objective motion planning
Time and energy are conflictual criteria . However both will contribute to high efficiency of the robot
How limitation on motor torques can be handled for such a minimum time and energy planner?
No study is perfect“All data is dirty in some way or another;
research is what you do with that dirty data”
Measurement involves making choicesYou can refine or change your plan
Read to learn; ..read to analyze…; read to write… About research methodology Studies on similar topics User repair strategies
Getting Started, Keep In Mind That
The Proposal: Part 3, Methodology
A description of the general methodology and procedures
The research context or siteThe plant or the subjectsThe instruments and materials usedExplain (& justify) adequate the procedures followed
and tools for data collection and analysis and problem solving
Establish scope and limitations
“A methodology is not just a list of research tasks but an argument as to why these tasks add up to the best attack on the problem” (Przeworski & Salomon, 2004, p. 1)
“The methodology section serves to convince the examiner that you really knew what you were doing and that you knew how to do it properly” (Parsons & Knight, 2005, p.128).
What Makes a Proposal Competitive?What Makes a Proposal Competitive?
Original ideas that go beyond the commonplace Succinct, focused project plan Realistic amount of work Sufficient detail provided Rationale and evidence of potential effectiveness Potential contribution to knowledge Capacity to disseminate findings
On the startOn the start
Tips for SuccessTips for Success
Follow page and font size limits and other guidelines Have a strong evaluation plan with timelines and
benchmarks
Rewrite and rewrite again Get critiques from: Mentors and colleagues Previous members of review panels
1. Follow Instructions
2. Write and rewrite :
Tips for SuccessTips for Success
Be aware of the scope: “too ambitious” vs. “too narrow”
Anticipate problems Address possible difficulties Acknowledge possible experimental problems
and have alternatives
3. Be reasonable
Simplify and streamline: Make sure you get your overall idea across!
Pay attention to details: Run a spell checker and proof-read Have someone else read the proposal Spell check; grammar check, clear photos, graphs, etc.
4. Make it easy for the reviewers
Science and research writing is largely made up of sentence structures (templates), used to particular areas of science for many different areas. Once you understand this concept you will probably find it easier to read articles from areas of science with which you are not completely familiar
Write With an Efficient Process
A good writing needs a lot of reading
Original sentence Possible abbreviation
The data were collected and they were analysed using…..The data were collected and correlations were calculated...The data which were collected were analysed using…..
The data were collected and analysed using…..
The data were collected and correlations calculated…..The data were collected were analysed using…..
Conclusions
You can learn/improve your research skills
You can produce sustained great research results if you are enthusiastic, honest, work hard, open, and committed
Many research skills you will develop
And Have An Excellent Thesis !!
Thank you for listening