Reference no: EM133776490 , Length: word count:6500

Research Methods for Engineers

Task 1

Overview

The final report is the research article produced by your group.

Task description

Develop your final report in the form of a research article, following the given conference paper format, and according to the structure below:

Title including the list of authors

Abstract (150-250 words): This is a synopsis of your study question, aims and objectives, background literature, methods, results, key conclusions and recommendations. This should be 150-250 words long and should be clear and easy to follow.

Introduction (250-350 words): In this section of your report you introduce the subject, provide the background to the topic or problem (i.e. what is already known), outline the research problem, and outline the aims and objectives of your study.

Literature review (700-900 words): This is a review of the literature on the topic or research problem you are studying. It should include a review of any other studies or projects similar or relevant to yours, and perhaps a review of the literature on the method you have chosen if your project tests a new method of research or analysis.

Methods (800-1200 words): This section includes the methodology of your research. It will cover: the study design, data collection instruments and protocol for obtaining data, ethical issues and how they are addressed, data management and analysis methods, statistical and other analysis methods, calculations, simulations, and tests.

Results (600-1000 words): In this section you present the results of your research. This section includes such information as descriptive data dealing with your study population, response rates etc. and results of statistical analysis. Tables, figures, and graphs are an excellent means of presenting this sort of information. All tables, figures and graphs, should be numbered consecutively throughout the whole report, and labelled with a clear and concise descriptive caption.

Discussion (300-600 words): In this section, you interpret your results and discuss their implications, about other published research. Any limitations in your research methodology should also be referred to here. Examiners expect you to acknowledge these limitations as an integral part of your evaluation of your project.

Conclusions (150-250 words): This section summarises the key results and the conclusions that you can draw from these results. It also needs to reflect what your initial project aims and objectives were. Here, you can also suggest directions for further research or actions as a result of your project findings.

References: This is a list of all the references and sources you used in your literature review, methodology, and discussion. This includes books, monographs, journal articles, letters, abstracts, conference and symposium papers, media articles, and any form of published literature or comment. This also includes citations for computer analysis packages, online literature and sources, and any audiovisual resources you may have researched or cited. It is important that every claim of scientific fact you make is supported by a valid, relevant, accessible reference. And that every idea or argument, and every verbatim quotation or paraphrase of someone else's work, is correctly attributed to its source.

Appendix 1 - reflection (mandatory): Each member of the group must include a brief discussion of about 100 words that addresses problems encountered, any lessons learned and things that you would have done differently. If you had group concerns throughout the duration of your assignment, please address them here. This section is mandatory, and the assignment is regarded as incomplete if absent.

Appendix 2 - Evidence of teamwork: As a group, include a short summary (maximum 300 words) of your teamwork process, such as assignment of tasks, group decision processes, meeting schedules and agenda, joint report writing process. Include evidence, e.g. communications, meeting notes, etc. - maximum 3 pages.

Task 2 - Presentation

You will present your research project.

Task description

Prepare a set of presentation slides as a group according to the Presentation template. You should have approximately three slides per student.

Submit the slides before the final presentation session
Present your slides during the final presentation session (ENN541 Conference).
ENN541 Conference

The groups will present their research to the other groups, and experienced researchers. Each member of the group will present a component of their research for up to 3 minutes, with a cut-off at 4 minutes (if necessary) to allow everyone to speak and maintain the presentation schedule.

Presentation: 12 minutes

Feedback from teaching team and questions: 3 minutes

Slides for the group's presentation must be uploaded to Canvas in PowerPoint format by the deadline at ENN541 Assessment 3 - Presentation: Submission. There will be no time for changes to the slides on the day. Each slide must have the name of the corresponding presenter in the lower-right corner. Groups that do not submit their slides by the deadline will be removed from the schedule.

Time schedule of the ENN541 Conference

Conditions

Length 12 minutes

Task 3 - Team Member Evaluation

In the Team Member Evaluation, you will evaluate the contribution and communication skills of yourself and of your team members. The objectives of this task are to reflect on your own work and to safely evaluate your team members.

Task description

You must address the following:

Teamwork and communication skills
Contribution towards the assessment
Assess the evaluation tool by going to ENN541 Assessment 3 Team Member Evaluation.

Length <4500 words (excluding bibliography and appendix)

Group / Individual
Final Report: Group

Presentation: Individual

Team Member Evaluation: Individual

Peer Review on Presentations: Individual

Learning outcome 1: Research planning: Demonstrate independence in research planning and selection and application of research methods.

Learning outcome 2: Communication skills: Demonstrate advanced communication skills through field specific analytic documentation and presentations.

Learning outcome 3: Group and collaborative skills: Demonstrate effective group and collaborative skills in a professional, ethically responsive engineering team environment

In the Peer Review of Presentation, you will provide feedback on the presentation of other groups. You will reflect on the presentation of 2 groups.

The objectives of this task are to reflect on the performance of the individual groups members during their presentations.

Task description

You must use the Peer Review of Presentation Template (Electronic Form or Print) and reflect on all members of the groups according to:

Oral presentation

Voice and body language
Use of intonation (not monotonous speech).
Speaks clearly.
Does not read from slides.
Addresses (faces) audience.
Timing
Stays within the allowed time (3 minutes).
Does not spend too long or too short time on any one slide (rule of thumb: 1 minute/slide).
Presentation material

Presentation structure
Significance, purpose clearly established, results properly discussed and placed in context.
Sections logically follow each other.
Outline of the presentation, name of the presenter on the slides, slide numbers.
Consistent design and style across sections and presenters.
Slide content
Well-organised and structured so that the slide is not crowded.
Text is easily readable (size and colour) and short enough (does not distract from the presenter).
Graphics
Effective use of graphics, clarity of purpose and message of figures
Readability (image quality) and sign-posting (highlighting key information on figures) if relevant

Conditions